Leo H. Cecil Sr.

Leo Harry Cecil, Sr. of Monticello, NY passed away peacefully at Garnet Medical Center in Middletown, NY, on Sunday, November 23, 2025, at the age of 86.
Leo was born in Cleveland Ohio on June 2, 1939, to Annette and Leo J. Cecil. The family moved to Long Island where he attended Malverne High School. Leo graduated from SUNY Oswego with BS and MS degrees in Industrial Arts. It was at Oswego that he met his wife of 63 years, Suzanne Berwer Cecil.
Leo was the metal shop, automotive shop, and driver's ed teacher at Fallsburg High School from 1966 - 1999. In addition to his regular teaching classes, he coached cross-country and wrestling. He also taught driver's ed at Monticello High School for several summers.
Being an avid hunter, Leo made seven safari trips to South Africa and several to Texas, Maine, and Wyoming. Opening day of hunting season you could always find Leo at one of his favorite hunting spots.
Leo has been a proud member of the National Rifle Association for 68 years including 25 years as a Benefactor Life Member. He has always looked forward to attending the NRA Annual Meetings around the country. He has served on the Mid-Hudson Friends of the NRA Banquet Committee for 25 years. In addition to the NRA, Leo was a member of the Sullivan County FOP, Sullivan County Shields, Haven Hunting Club, Woods Pond Hunting Club, Brookwood Hunting Club, Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association and Knights of Columbus Council 550. He was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Monticello where he served on the Parish Council. He was also a scout leader for Boy Scout Troop 89 in Woodbourne.
Leo is survived by his wife, Suzanne of Monticello, NY, son Leo Cecil, Jr. of Richmond, VA, daughter Kathi-Sue Rupp of Monticello NY, daughter Andrea Fichtl and her husband Peter Fichtl of Mount Juliet, TN, grandchildren Darby (Adam) Summers of Poulsbo, WA, Danae Rupp of Highland Park NJ, Cory Fichtl, and Matthew Fichtl of Mount Juliet, TN, sister Judith Knapp of Dublin NH, and several nieces.
Visitation will be held at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Friday, November 28. His funeral mass will be held on Saturday, November 29 at 11:00 AM at the Church of St. Peter, Broadway and Liberty Street in Monticello followed by burial at St. Peter's Cemetery in Monticello.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the NRA Foundation c/o Finance, 1250 Waples Mills Road, Fairfax Virginia 22030, or the Church of St. Peter, 10 Liberty Street, Monticello NY 12701.