Obituary of Joseph A. Cerio

Age 74, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, December 10, 2020. Joe was born in Elmira, a son of the late Anthony and Antoinette (Pinelli) Cerio. In addition to his parents Joe is predeceased by his sister Angela Cerio Zepp. He is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Frances Kunzinger Cerio; daughter Morgan K. Cerio of New York City; sister Suzanne Cerio West of Lexington SC; brother and sister-in-law Richard and Mary Jane Cerio of Elmira; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dennis Zepp of Elmira, Ed and Kathy Kunzinger of Austin TX, Anne Kunzinger of Appleton ME, Steve Kunzinger of Cicero NY, David and Teresa Kunzinger of Norwich NY; several nieces, nephews, and a host of good friends. Joe grew up in "The Patch" and spent a good part of his youth playing baseball in Patch Park. He attended St. Anthony's Grammar School and was a member of the last graduating class of the old Elmira Free Academy (now The Finn Academy). Joe earned his Bachelor's Degree from Elmira College and Master's Degree from Alfred University. Joe held several different jobs early in his working career. Some of those included several departments with Chemung County government as well as other various companies in the Elmira area. Joe was well known as a bartender at The Office, Branch Office, and Danny's Time Out where he would keep "an eye" on his customers. He finally settled in with the New York State Department of Labor as an Employment Counselor. Joe retired from that job after 30 years of service. Joe loved going for walks with the many labs he had over the years, and he was a fixture waving to those he knew driving down Church Street. Joe was a loyal fan of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, Cleveland Browns (even through the dark days), and Penn State Football. All who met Joe could not help but love him with his warm heart, great sense of humor, and bright smile. Toward the end of his life, Joe's greatest pleasure was facetiming with Morgan as she walked home from work, and virtual dance parties with "Little" Joe and Charlie. It is the hope of the Cerio family to have a celebration of Joe's life in the summer of 2021. The Cerio's would like to extend a special thanks to Patti Pipher Wagner for the wonderful care she had provided to Joe over the past year. Those wishing may remember Joe with a donation to either the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA, 2435 NY-352, Elmira NY 14903, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, at cff.org.