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Before leading his guided nature walks at Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, John Cecil loved to show pictures and tell children what they were going to encounter during their time together. He always added one caveat. “It’s nature,” he told them. “You never know what you’ll see.” For years, the Liverpool native donated his time, knowledge and skills at Beaver Lake. His goal was always to get those who attended his walks in touch with the beauty and awe of nature. “Did you know there’s three carnivorous plants here?” he asked on one walk in 2012, the year he was honored with a Post-Standard “Hero of Conservation” award, pointing out the three insect-eating pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts found at Beaver Lake. He also delighted in pointing out the numerous songbirds, waterfowl and occasional deer, raccoon, and other animals that inhabit the grounds. John R. Cecil, of Baldwinsville, passed away on Sunday, October 26, at his home. He was 92 years old. According to his obituary, Cecil was born in Albany in 1933 to John R. and Catherine (Fitzsimmons) Cecil. His father died when John was 10; his mother remarried Cecil C. Coggen, who became a loving father. He grew up in Liverpool, with a passion for nature, camping, and taxidermy. Newspaper archives said he played left tackle for the Liverpool High School football team. He joined the Army Reserves in high school, serving active duty in Korea with the 622nd Military Police, I Corps, as an MP and investigator, rising to staff sergeant. He also served as chaplain for American Legion Post 188 and VFW Post 951. Cecil earned a Bachelor of Science and Master’s in biology and geology at SUNY Cortland, followed by postgraduate studies at Cornell and University of Texas at Austin. He taught science for 35 years at Groton, SUNY Oneonta, and Jefferson Community College, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2000. In 1958, Cecil married Marilyn Lee Wright of Trumansburg, NY. They raised four children: Therese, Cynthia, Scott (died 1979), and Richard on a Tug Hill farm. “Active in church, they pursued nature photography and writing until Marilyn’s death in Baldwinsville in 2007,” his obituary said. Three years later, in 2010, he married Pamela Dano. “They shared faith, nature and photography.” In addition to his tours at Beaver Lake, Cecil developed the nature center’s arboretum trail. Cecil authored four natural history books, geology manuals, and gave public presentations. A second-degree black belt, he instructed at JCC and Kang Duk Won. In 1989, he took part in a world record attempt at simultaneous board-breaking. “I’ve never had an opportunity to help set a record before,” he said. Cecil is survived by wife Pam, sister Sherry Pratt, brother Ted (Diane) Coggen; children, Therese Sacchetti, Cynthia (Richard) Allen, Richard (Shelia) Cecil; Robin (John) Finn, Kelly (Michael) Colabello, Deanne (David) Carr, Paul (Dolores) Dano; 20 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren, one great-great grandson and many nieces and nephews. “He cherished his family, friends, mentors, and students, praising God for their love,” his obituary said. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 2, from 1-4 p.m. at the Maurer Funeral Home Moyers Corners, 3541 State Route 31, Baldwinsville, NY 13027. A funeral service, with military honors, will be on Monday, November 3, at 10 a.m. in Northside Church, 7965 Oswego Road, Liverpool, NY. His burial will follow at 1 p.m. in Brookside Cemetery, Watertown, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions in John’s memory may be made to Friends of Beaver Lake or Northside Baptist Church.
