CECIL L. CALLENDER Jr.

CALLENDER, CECIL L. JR. - affectionately known as "The Black Butterfly", was born in Atlantic City, on December 21, 1946, to Gladys E. Callender and Cecil L. Callender Sr. He was taken to his heavenly home in the early morning hours of August 5, 2012, at AtlantiCare Medical Center, Mainland Division. Cecil was educated in the Atlantic City schools system attending the New Jersey Avenue School, Chelsea Junior High School, and graduating from the Atlantic City High School as a member of the class of 1964. As a recipient of several scholarships, Cecil went on to further his education by attending the Howard University in Washington, DC. It was there that Cecil developed his love and passion for computer technology, thus encouraging Cecil to enroll at the Institute of Computer Management in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned certificates in computer management and programming. While at the Institute, Cecil joined the IRS, where he began as a clerk and later advanced to tax examiner. Later, he transferred first to the U.S. Treasury Department and then to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Pomona, NJ. After 40 years of government service, Cecil finally retired in May of 2010. In 1979, as an entrepreneur, Cecil opened a record store and boutique with the uncommon name "The Black Butterfly". He also produced and hosted jazz and R&B programs at the radio station WUSS. Cecil was the co-founder and president of the Black Butterfly Audio Video Club that was dedicated to preserving and documenting the Black experience through the preservation of audio and video recordings. Cecil also loved history and at times would read a book a day. Cecil looked forward to retirement and continuing his love affair with history and music. He believed that "Much can be accomplished if one has no regard for whom gets the credit. Life is too short for foolishness". Cecil will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Cecil was predeceased by: his father, Cecil L. Callender, Sr.; a son, Jason Troy Callender; and a sister Esther D. Callender. Left to cherish his memory are: his mother, Gladys E. Callender; daughter, Devon Brown; brother, Gary D. Callender, all of Atlantic City; sister, Ivy L. Daniels (Isaac) of Pleasantville; two nieces, Tajuana E. Callender of Mays Landing and Ghaleya S. Callender of Yonkers, New York; one nephew, Rhaquay D. Callender of Mays Landing; an uncle, Arthur Dorrington of Atlantic City; special friends, Debbie Gardner and Willie Gainer and a host of other family and friends. Viewing Service will be 6PM â€" 8PM, Friday, August 10, 2012, Greenidge Funeral Homes, Inc., 301 Absecon Boulevard, Atlantic City. Funeral Services will be 11AM, Saturday, August 11, 2012, Hamilton Memorial United Methodist Church, 609 Arctic Avenue, Atlantic City, where friends may call from 9AM. Burial will follow in Atlantic City Cemetery, Pleasantville. www.greenidgefuenralhomes.com