John A. Cicero Jr. 1950-2025

He was born Oct. 6, 1950, in Youngstown, the son of the late John A. Cicero Sr. and Ann Pavelko Cicero.

John lived in Newton Falls for the last 48 years and was formerly of Youngstown, where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in the Class of 1968. He then attended YSU and graduated from Ohio University with BBS and AAS degrees.

John worked for the Department of Defense for 31 years, retiring in 2003. He was a contract administrator for the U.S. Army for 15 years. His last duty station was the Ravenna Army Ammunition Plant, where he served as the last acting army commander’s representative for seven years and received seven Army Commendations, two Army Superior Unit Awards; the Superior Civilian Award; and the Ohio Commendation Medal before the installation was transferred to the National Guard. He spent seven years with the Defense Logistics Agency, where he worked as a quality assurance representative and property administrator at various defense contractor plants in the Akron and Cleveland area, including Goodyear Aerospace; TRW Inc.; Firestone; Goodyear Tires; Physics International; Babcox and Wilcox; and Canton Timkin and White Engines.

John began his career with the USAFR at the Youngstown Air Reserve Base, where he was an Air Force Reserve technician with the 910th SOG. He spent nine years working as an ordinance production controller, aircraft armament mechanic and munitions specialist. Prior to the Defense Department, he worked for four years at PPG Industries in Youngstown as a member of Teamster Local 377 and two years in the general offices of Republic Steel on Albert Street, also in Youngstown. He worked as an enumerator for the Census Bureau during the 2010 census.

John also coached high school sports for 34 years at local high schools, retiring in 2012. John was Portage County Coach of the Year for softball in 2004, 2006 and 2007, with his teams in Garrettsville winning league titles; the Trumbull County Basketball Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2006; and AP Northeastern Ohio Basketball Coach of the Year in 2005. He was at Mathews when the high school was ranked 11th in the state in 2005 and won a league crown in 2006.

John retired from the USAFR as a chief master sergeant (E-9) in 1993, after 23 years of active service, 40 years total service. His last duty assignment was with FEMA Chicago, assigned to Mahoning County Disaster Services. His military awards included the Presidential Unit Citation, the National Defense Medal with one device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four devices, Air Reserve Medal, Air Force Reserve Meritorious Service Ribbon with four devices, Small Arms Expert, Marksman Ribbon, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and Senior Aircraft and Munitions Maintenance Badge.

John was a member of the Air Force Sergeants Association, Trumbull County Coaches Association, Mahoning Valley Coaches Association, Ohio Basketball Coaches Association, American Legion Post 0888 and Amvets Post 112, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees; School Employee Retirees of Ohio, Ohio AFSCME Retiree Chapter 1184, Northeast Ohio Softball Coaches Association, National Federation of High School Coaches, and he was awarded a Lifetime Award to the Youngstown All Breed Training Club.

John enjoyed coaching high school sports, raising, training and showing his golden retrievers, and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Kacenga Cicero of Newton Falls; two sons, Garrick (Irene) Cicero of Cincinnati and Craig (Emily) Cicero of Hubbard; two daughters, Summer (Dan) Wasko Jr. of Warren and Briana (Scott) Cicero-Johns of Indian Trail, North Carolina; nine wonderful grandchildren, Amaelia and Dyana Cicero, DJ and Myah Wasko, Linnea and Lawrence Johns, and Chloe, Selah and Josie Cicero.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Ann Cicero.

Cremation has taken place.

A private graveside service will be in the St. Michaels Cemetery in Newton Falls.

The family has requested that all donations be made to the Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, 812 Youngstown-Kingsville Road SE, PO Box 66, Vienna, OH 44473; or to The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, 909 Martin Luther Blvd. SW, Warren, OH 44485, in his memory.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the James Funeral Home, 8 E. Broad St., Newton Falls, OH 44444, 330-872-5440. Family and friends may view his obituary online or send condolences at www.jamesfuneralhomeinc.com.

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