This page is used to post brief announcements of the death of any of our shipmates. Since former Cecil crew members are scattered world wide, it is difficult, if not impossible, for this humble web site to track when they receive the bosun's whistle to call them to the final muster. If you hear that any of your former Cecil shipmates have passed away, please send me an Email message that states the members name, rate, tour dates, and any other information you'd like to see on this page. If you wish to attach a newspaper obituary to the mail message, I will include that in the announcement.

This notification allows me to:

1. Flag the member's roster entry to signify he/she is deceased
2. Add the member's name to the Ship's Honor Roll page
3. Add the member's obituary entry to this page to signify he/she is deceased

  "Old Sailors Never Die"

Donald D. Walker passed away on May 6, 2000 at age 55 of Pancreatic Carcinoma. Click here to read a loving letter written by Don's dear wife Marilyn to Richie Roberts. Any of Don's buddies out there may wish to send a card or call Marilyn. Refer to the W Roster for the address and phone number.

Jack Harris passed away in August of 2000. Jack is listed in the "H Roster" but no information his tour dates or rate is available. Jack lived in Middleton, RI.

Timothy Murphy passed away on Thanksgiving Day 2001. Timothy is listed in the "M Roster". Timothy hailed from Taftville, CT and served aboard the Cecil as an MM3 from 1951-1954.

Francis Morgan passed away on March 6th of 2001. Francis is listed in the "M Roster". Francis lived Mechanicsville, VA was a Plank Owner having served aboard the Cecil as a BM2 in 1945.

Louis M. Grasek, Sr. passed away peacefully Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at his home with his family by his side. Louis is listed in the "G Roster". Click here: "Complete Obituary"

Dennis Harley passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 3, 1996 at his home in Virginia Beach, VA. Dennis is listed in the "H Roster" Click here: "Complete Obituary"

Kevin McIntire passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 11, 2001 at his home in Goose Creek, SC. Kevin is listed in the "M Roster" Click here: "Complete Obituary"

Harold "Butch" Carter passed away Friday, June 28, 2002 at his home in PA. Butch is listed in the "C Roster". Butch suffered from kidney disease for many years and had been on dialysis when attending last year's reunion in Buffalo as a faithful supporter of the Cecil Association.

David Johnson passed away September 9, 2002. The following is an Email I recently received from David's youngest daughter. David is listed in the "J Roster".

Dear Sir:

I wanted to let you know of the death of my Father, David Johnson, who passed on September 9, 2002. Dad served on the Chas. P. Cecil from 1947-1951 as a QM2. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruth Johnson; his daughter, Linda Mayben; son, David B. Johnson; and youngest daughter, Cheryl Sanders, all of Georgia. Dad was buried in Stevenson, Alabama where he grew up.

After leaving the Navy, Dad worked for what was then, the NC & St. L Railroad, using his experience gained in the Navy to get the job. He retired from from the railroad as a dispatcher in 1989.

Pop was always proud of his service in the Navy, during the war and after, on the Cecil. His shipmate buddies nicknamed him "Blackie" for his thick, black hair. He was a good and honest man and he is missed by his family and friends. If you like, you may e-mail me for additional details at crzycheryl@aol.com (the e-mail address this is sent from is my work e-mail).

Ronald P. Pickering passed away October 30, 2002 Ronald is listed in the "P Roster".

CDR Renee L. Briand passed away November 18, 1986. CDR Briand is listed in the "B Roster". CDR Briand was previously XO of the Cecil and assumed command when the USS Cecil entered the Brooklyn Navy Yard for FRAM overhaul on June 29, 1963.

LTJG Sam Tinsley a Cecil Plank Owner (1945-1946) passed away today, February 13, 2003. Sam is listed in the "T Roster". Click HERE to display note from Sam's loving daughter Kathy. Click HERE to display more detail about Sam's life, achievements, and family.

Arthur E. Kahler passed away on February 19, 2003. Arthur served aboard the Cecil from 1952 to 1953. Arthur is listed in the "K Roster". Click HERE to display a note from Sam's loving son John.

Ron Hubbard passed away on April 5, 2003. Ron served aboard the Cecil from 1951 to 1953. Ron is listed in the "H Roster". Click HERE to display an obituary from Sam's loyal friend Joe Coffield (W2DDZ).

Robert Eugene Perry passed away on March 31, 2003. Robert served aboard the Cecil from 1945 to 1946. Robert is listed in the
"P Roster".

Quay E. Blackwell passed away on January 11, 2003. Quay served aboard the Cecil from 1955 to 1959. Quay is listed in the "B Roster".

Joe Belliveau passed away on December 25, 2003. Joe served aboard the Cecil from 1957 to 1960. Joe is listed in the "B Roster". Click HERE to display Joe's obituary.

William N. Chase Sr. passed away on August 3, 2002. William served aboard the Cecil from 1972 to 1974. William is listed in the
"C Roster". William retired from the US Navy August 20, 1974 and was laid to rest with full military honors in Howard Cemetary, Sutton, MA where he was born and raised.

Gerald “Michael” Morgan passed away on May 7,, 2003. William served aboard the Cecil from 1948 to 1952. Gerald is listed in the
"M Roster". His widow Sarah wrote: “He had many fine memories of his service days and was proud to be a Naval veteran. We were at the reunion in South Carolina. Please relay this information in your mailing.” Sarah Morgan, 11849 Kumquat St NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448

Robert (Bob) Davis passed away on April 17, 2002.Robert is listed in the "D Roster". His wife Estelle writes “he served on the “Charlie P” 1953-1955. She had been wanting to let us know for some time and just kept putting it off. Her address is 1007 N. Sanctuary Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.

Frank L. Pentz, Jr. passed away September 28, 2003 at the Bedford (MA) Veterans Hospital (Alzheimers unit). He had been at the VA hospital for four years and had been afflicted with the disease for many years before that. Mrs. Pentz wrote: “He thoroughly enjoyed anything to do with the Navy, and always looked forward to the reunions, and belonging to the Charles P. Cecil Association. Please accept the enclosed check in Frank’s memory, to be used in any way for the association.” Frank is listed in the
"P Roster".

Mr. Pentz was born in Boston on October 8, 1930. He enlisted in the Navy on January 23, 1951 and served in the Korean War aboard the USS Worcester. He held membership in the U.S. Navy Memorial Historical Society in Washington, D.C., as well as the USS Worcester Association, and he and his wife enjoyed attending the ship’s reunions.

Maynard C. Smith, 61, entered into rest on Saturday morning, May 1, 2004, at his residence, after an unexpected illness.

He was an electrican with Standard Register, from where he retired in January 2003. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Red Lion, and a Navy Veteran of the Vietnam Era, having served on the USS Charles P. Cecil during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was also a member of Red Lion American Legion Post 543, Red Lion Masonic Lodge 649, Zembo Temple Shrine in Harrisburg, York County Shrine Club, and Red Lion VFW Post 1446.

He was born in Windsor Township December 26, 1942, the son of the late Clarence L. and Emma E.J. (Lutz) Smith.

He is survived by a brother, John A. Smith of York, 10 nieces and nephews; several grand nieces and nephews.

Viewings will be today from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thuirsday from 9 to 10 a.m., at Burg Funeral Home, 134 W. Broadway, Red Lion. Service will be Thursday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Joseph W. Seitz, retired Lutheran minister, officiating. Burial in Susquenhanna Memorial Gardens with full military honors given by the York County Veterans Honor Guard.

Contributions may be offered to Grace Lutheran Church, 220 N. Charles Street, Red Lion, PA 17356. Maynard is listed in the
"S Roster".

Robert T. Dickson passed away in January, 2001. Robert is listed in the "D Roster". His wife Edna writes that he was a "Plank Owner".

Gene Forstner, RDM 3/c, passed away in October of 2000. Gene is listed in the "F Roster". Gene served aboard the Cecil from 1945 to 1946.

John C. "Curtis" Hooper passed away in May of 2004. John is listed in the "H Roster". John served aboard the Cecil from 1952-1953.

Harold James Miedema passed away on December 15, 1980. Harold is listed in the "M Roster". Harold served aboard the Cecil from 1951-1952 as a 1st Lieutenant. He retired out of the naval reserves after 22 years of service. He was very proud of all the accomplishments he made in the Navy. He passed away at the very young age of 55 of a cerebral aneurysm.

Harold's daughter Joanne would like to hear from any shipmates who served with her Dad. She can be contacted at jdobb@chartermi.net

Sad to report that we lost another shipmate.
Don Constantineau, 72, of Wrentham, MA passed away April 6th,2005. He served aboard Cecil in the early 50's. Don is listed in the "C Roster". He belonged to several veterans groups including "Tin Can Sailors". Anyone who knew him would agree that he was a good man and a gentlemen.

He was very active in the Boy Scouts and his family has requested that memorial donations can be made to The Boy Scouts of America, 2438 Washington St.,Canton,MA 02021- made out to Old Colony Boy Scouts of America.

Robert J. Reynolds passed away on May 13, 2005. Robert is listed in the "R Roster". Robert served aboard the Cecil from 1945-1947.

Mr. Crowley
I wrote you a few months ago regarding my Grandpa, Robert Reynolds. Thank you for listing him on your site. when he saw his name in the roster, a huge smile came to his face. It is with deepest sorrow that I am writing to inform you that he passed away last Friday, so that you may list him as deceased on your site. He loved his time aboard the ship and talked about it all the time. Thank you again for a fantastic site.

Sincerely,
Jason Reynolds
Badger IA

Warren Hammond of West Paris, ME passed away January 20, 2005. Warren is listed in the "H Roster". Warren served aboard the Cecil from 1961-1962. Click HERE to read his obituary.

Paul Osgood BTC passed away January 5, 2002. Paul is listed in the "O Roster". Paul served aboard the Cecil from 1966-1968.

Glen LaRoy Witherell passed away January 10, 1979 of a heart attack. Glen is listed in the "W Roster". He served aboard the Cecil during the Korean Conflict.

Frank Christopher recently passed away July 5,2005. Frank is listed in the "C Roster". Frank served aboard the Cecil from 1946-1948.
Frank's Obituary
Frank's Eulogy delivered by his son Ken

      Ed: I relieved Frank Christopher as the Cecil's communications officer very shortly after January 1, 1949, in Tsingtao, China. His wife (still living) was then living in San Diego, where she was friendly with a young woman, who Frank and his wife were saving to become my wife (unknown to me) after the ship would return to USA. She did not marry me, however, she married Jim Gammon, also an ensign on the CPC, now dead, but his wife still lives on Coronado Island.
      I waited another year, and I found my wife, Margaret, in Newport, RI, where Kenneth Christopher would be born a year of so later in the Newport Naval Hospital.
      I think Chris lived a more sane and purposeful life than I did, and he has always been right in there among the truly good friends whose names are written among those most remembered.
      My condolences to Frank's wife and his brood of many sons. There is an old Italian male custom of toasting a bride groom with "figli maschi" which effectively wishes the groom many "male sons". I always envied the Italians for the philosophy: "don't worry, be happy, drink wine, make love, produce many sons."
      Brotherly love to Frank and his wife,
and fatherly love to his many sons and (I think) one daughter,

John Graham

NOTE: Comment from John Bundschuh (ajb17@tampabay.rr.com) I am sad to report the passing of Andrew John Bundschuh on Monday, December 4, 2006. He was on the USS Charles P. Cecil 1946-1947. He always talked about his two years on the Cecil and enjoyed looking at the Web Site.