Obituary of Donald F. "Biff" Cerio Sr.

CANASTOTA . . . Donald F. "Biff" Cerio, Sr., 94, of Canastota, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Oneida Healthcare, following a brief illness. He was born on April 30, 1930, in Syracuse, NY, the son of the late Frank and Ida (Costanzo) Cerio. Biff lived in Canastota all of his life, attending the Canastota Central Schools. He married Madlyn Ehnot on April 18, 1953, in Canastota. He was a proud Veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. He was very proud of participating in the Berlin Air Lift. Biff worked for Carrier Corporation in Syracuse, for 34 years, retiring in 1989. He was a member of the Executive Committee for the Local Chapter of the International Sheet Metal Workers Union. He was very active in his community, as he served as a Canastota Village Trustee for 14 years; as Canastota Village Mayor from 1981-1989. As Mayor he was instrumental in implementing projects such as the Wastewater Treatment Plant, the Canastota Industrial Park, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame; the NY State Jaycees Headquarters in Canastota; the new Fire Station, the new Village Hall, and the new Department of Public Works Building. Biff served as the Canastota Police Commissioner; and a member of the Canastota Volunteer Fire Department-Forbes Hose Company from 1959-1987. He was a founding member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the Purple Haze Youth Center in Canastota, and was a Canastota Pop Warner Coach. Biff was an active member of the Canastota Lions Club, receiving a Melvin Jones Fellowship from the International Foundation, and was awarded the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award, and Lion of the Year award 1999. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #600 in Canastota, and was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars US Special Recognition for Exceptional Service Award. Biff was a member of the American Legion Charles Miller Post #140 in Canastota, and was awarded the American Legion Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award in 2005. Biff was a communicant of St. Agatha's Church in Canastota, and served as a Eucharistic Minister, Parish Trustee and Lector. He was a member of the E. Bart Hanafin Council #773 Knights of Columbus in Oneida. He received the Canastota Alumni Association Distinguished Service to Community Award in 2005. Biff was a first-string starting player on the 1947 Canastota Varsity Football undefeated team, and later played football in the US Army. He was a member of the Canastota Wall of Distinction Committee. On a broader scale, he served as a Madison County Democratic Committee Person, and as Chairman of the Town of Lenox Democratic Committee. Biff enjoyed gardening, hunting, fishing, making Poppy waffles for his grandchildren, and pizzelles at Christmas. He was the center of his family and a pillar of the community. Biff was very proud of his Italian heritage. Most importantly, he loved spending time with his loving wife, children and grandchildren who absolutely adored him. Surviving besides his wife, Madlyn, are: his children, Marian Cerio and Vic Kopnitsky of Canastota, Donald F. and Renee (LeBlanc) Cerio, Jr. of Manlius, and Joann and Mark Mezzoprete of Rochester; eight grandchildren, Joseph Kopnitsky, Maria Kopnitsky, Lauren Mezzoprete, Nick Mezzoprete, Annalyse Cerio, Allison Carbery, Christian Cerio, and Francis Cerio; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Calling Hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the J. Homer Ball Funeral Home, Inc., 201 James Street, Canastota. A funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, at St. Agatha's Church, 329 N. Peterboro Street, Canastota. The Rev. Christopher J. Ballard, Pastor, will officiate. Entombment with Military Honors will be in St. Agatha's Cemetery, Canastota. In his memory, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, with envelopes available at the funeral home.