John Howe Cecil Jr.

1923 - 2024

CECIL, John Howe Jr., age 100+, died peacefully in his sleep Friday, May 24, 2024. John was born in Richmond, VA, July 21, 1923, to Pattie Cary Cecil and John Howe Cecil. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 69 years, Suzan Knight Cecil; and his sister, Jane Abert Cecil. He is survived by his sister, Patricia Cecil Hass of Princeton, NJ; a son, Graham Howe Cecil of Richmond, VA; two daughters, Sallie Cecil Stillwell (Charley) of Alexandria, VA, and Maria Whitney Cecil (Evan Hirsche) of Washington, DC; four grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Raised in the 2300 block of Monument Avenue in Richmond, John attended Saint Christopher's School and Episcopal High School in Alexandria. John's education was interrupted by a three year enlistment in the US Army during World War II, ending in the Philippines. After his return he graduated from Princeton University.

Throughout his life John loved jazz music, and was a gifted pianist. After graduating from Princeton, he spent a year living in Paris, France where he played jazz piano at Les Deux Magots.

John began his business career working in sales for IBM in New York. He switched to the investment business as a stock broker in Washington DC where he met his future wife, Suzan Knight who worked for Time Magazine. They were married April 18, 1953 in Charlottesville, VA.

John and Sue returned to Richmond in 1956 where John joined Thurston and Company, a small brokerage firm. In 1965 he formed the Cecil-Waller Company with Raymond T. Waller and began offering investment planning services. After earning his certification as a financial planner in 1977, John organized Cecil Financial Planning Corporation which later became Cecil, Walke & Company which he sold at age 75. In 1998 he joined Trend Line Capital Management where he continued to manage investment accounts of old friends for many years.

In his spare time John enjoyed the game of tennis, which he played with his friends every Wednesday afternoon. When professional tennis matches were held in Richmond, he would serve as a line or net judge.

Throughout his life, John highly valued support of educational and charitable organizations. His service included being president of The Friends of the Richmond Public Library, Princeton Alumni Association, The Arthritis Foundation, and Westminster Presbyterian Homes. He also served as a trustee of Mary Baldwin College, Second Presbyterian Church, United Way of Greater Richmond, Westminster Canterbury, and as a director for Junior Achievement of Richmond among other organizations.

The family would like to thank all the staff at Westminster Canterbury Richmond, particularly Dr. William Reed, and the outstanding nursing staff of the Parsons Health Center, for their dedicated and compassionate care over many years.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held on Tuesday, July 9, at 11 a.m. at the Palmer Chapel Mausoleum in Hollywood Cemetery with interment following. Condolences may be sent to the family, either directly or to www.bennettfuneralhomes.com. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts be made to the WEAVE program at Westminster Canterbury Richmond, 1600 Westbrook Avenue, Richmond, VA 23227.