WARREN — Peter Rocco Cicero, 97, passed away Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, surrounded by his family and caregivers.
He was born in Niles, on Aug. 7, 1925, to the late Philip and Lena Granata Cicero. Peter was a lifelong Catholic and a founding parishioner of Blessed Sacrament Parish.
On Aug. 28, 1948, he married Mary Canzonetta Cicero at St. Mary Catholic Church. Peter and Mary had four children, Nancy Cicero Mack, Nina Cicero, Joanie Cicero and Peter J. Cicero.
In his teen years, Pete went to work for his country by enlisting as a laborer in the Civil Conservation Corps (CCC). After his honorable discharge from CCC, Peter enlisted in the Navy in 1943. He was very proud of his World War II service as a seaman, first-class aboard the destroyer ship USS Cushing. His service earned him the Asiatic-Pacific Area Campaign Medal – six Stars; Philippine Liberation Medal- two Stars; the American Area Campaign Medal; and the World War II Victory Medal.
In 1963, Pete built Cicero’s Market and Delicatessen at the corner of Youngstown Road and Kenilworth Avenue. Cicero’s Market gave many people jobs, fed the neighborhood and endowed respect among patrons and the community at large.
Pete enjoyed making connections with people. He truly loved his customers and small interactions filled him with great joy. Mr. Cicero always touted, “The customer always comes first.” To many, he was a father figure. He will be remembered for his humility, respect, love and genuine acts of kindness.
In 1993, Pete retired from Cicero’s Market. In retirement, he visited Fort Myers, Fla. and enjoyed spending time with his family. He read the Tribune Chronicle, Newsweek and medical publications from The Mayo Clinic. An avid Ohio Lottery player, he loved “playing the numbers,” and taking his children and grandchildren to the casino to shoot craps and bet on horses. If he had anything in his hand, he gave you half.
A loving thank you to his exceptionally selfless caregivers, Gina, Missy, Carole, Pam, Jill S., Jill D., Jeff, Nina G. and Sue. Thank you to Trumbull County Meals on Wheels for always delivering a hot lunch with a warm smile. A special thank you to the compassionate nurses and aides at Crossroads Hospice and Palliative Care.
Peter was preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Mary Canzonetta Cicero; sister, Thelma (Vince) DeMattis; and brothers, John (Ursula) and Joseph (Nancy) Cicero.
He is survived by his children, Nancy (Dave) Mack of Niles, Nina Cicero of Warren, Joanie (Frank Bayzie) Cicero of Fort Myers, Fla. and Peter J. (Victoria) Cicero of Warren; and his loving grandchildren, who knew him as “Papa,” Dr. Adam (Diane) Mack of Brecksville, Dr. Matthew (Jaime) Mack of Pickerington, David Mack of Columbus, Mary (Steve) Farmer of Maui, Hawaii, Damian Knapp of Warren, attorney Valentina (Mark Zivica) Palmer of Tampa, Fla., Angelica Palmer of Maui, Peter R. Cicero of Los Angeles, Calif., the Rev. Fr. Christopher Cicero of Warren and Angelene (Tyler) Cicero Schumacher of Warren. Peter is survived by his great-grandchildren, Sean, Grace, AJ, Gabby, Sammy, Ryan, Lainey, Callie, Violet, Lavender and Leo.
Friends and family may visit and pay tribute from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, at Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel, 1884 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday, Sept. 12, 2022, at Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, 3020 Reeves Road NE, Warren, OH 44483. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at the church.
Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery, Bazetta.
Floral arrangements may be sent to the funeral home and contributions may be made, in Peter’s name, to Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church.
Friends and family may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guestbook and send condolences to the family.
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