Andrew C. Cecere

Today I still miss conversations with Andrew -- re: books, creative writing, publishing, the American political scene, World War II, history, the Richmond community. So many topics, so many well-spent hours. Andy was wise and generous, a true representative of the Greatest Generation.

Andy was a long time community leader who made a difference. He loved his "adopted hometown." I had the privilege to get to know Andy when I interviewed him for the book I was writing on the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

Andy Cecere was a dedicated lawyer and a man who cared about Richmond. I know he and my father, Tom S. Shields, M.D., who was on the Richmond City Council, had many differences of opinions, especially political, but my father respected his honesty and integrity. My own legal career was, in part, inspired by Andy Cecere. He cared about Richmond. Tom Shields, Ft. Myers, FL

My father, David W, Dennis, who died in 1999, thought Mr. Cecere was one of the best lawyers he ever worked with, or against, in his entire career. They shared, I think, a mutual respect.
My best to the family, William C. Dennis II, Earlham class of 1963,
Bozeman, Montana

Andy and his family have been friends of our since we were neighbors on South Eighteenth Street. He taught me how to grow roses and I still prepare Betty's lasagne recipe handed down by Andy's mother. We loved watching the three girls grow up and followed them via Andy for many years as adults.
Andy had great love for Earlham and Richmond and was a civic and community leader. He will be missed!

Andy so enriched my life over the decades that I was privileged to call him my friend. Our mutual mission in the last several years was working to bring his two books into publication. His novel "The Avenue" is a wonderful story set largely in Depression-era Pittsburgh. The book has earned the praise of Kirkus Reviews and a great many readers. A second book, a mix of short fiction and essays, is titled "A Habit for Words." To read these books (available on Amazon.com) is to spend time again...