To Celebrate a Life of Love: Peter A. Cecic

February 13, 1949-January 12, 2023

Peter Cecic passed away surrounded by family on January 12, 2023.

Born on February 13, 1949 to Mary Raich and John Cecic, Peter grew up in Nyack, NY near the Hudson River, where he often went fishing with his father.

He also loved to play outside with his sister Karen and their cousins, pretending to be a cowboy or Davy Crocket. It was during this time when he took a trip to the dentist’s office that he told his mother that he would someday be a dentist.

During Peter’s time at Bergenfield High School in New Jersey, he discovered a love for music, singing with the choir and learning to play the guitar. He also spent a lot of his time caring for orchids in the greenhouse near his house to save money for college. After graduating from high school, Peter attended Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Staying true to his boyhood plans, he continued on to New Jersey Dental School. Peter entered active duty as a Dental Corps officer in the United States Army in 1974. Over the next 10 years, he completed his residency in Endodontics, performed case studies and published papers about root canal therapy, earned a Master’s from George Washington University, and became a board-certified Endodontist.

When stationed at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Peter met another young dentist, Jeannette Fumagali. After seeing her from across the hospital cafeteria, he asked her if she wanted to join his colleagues at their table. They married in June 1984 and had three beautiful girls.

In the early 90s, the Army assigned Peter to Fort Sam Houston. Peter and his family loved San Antonio so much that they decided to stay when he retired as a Colonel in 1997.

After retirement, Peter purchased an Endodontic practice and continued to perform root canals and save teeth over the next 18 years.

Peter’s focus always centered on providing for his family. In addition to his generosity towards friends and family, Peter volunteered often at the St. Vincent de Paul pantry. When he wasn’t working, he liked to watch old movies with his girls, experience nature and travel to natural wonders, read books or articles about his latest interests, and stay active with golfing, bowling, swimming, and walks. He was also an avid rock and fossil collector.

Peter will be remembered for his hard-working dedication, unmatched generosity, and his fervent energy.

He is survived by his wife, Jeannette; three daughters, Caitlin, Lindsay, and Anna; a son-in-law and granddaughter, Eddie and Elena Park; a sister, Karen Borges; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. The family will receive guests before the Funeral Mass, starting at 9:30 AM.

Funeral Mass
10:00 AM
St Peter Prince of The
Apostles Catholic Church
111 Barilla Pl
San Antonio, TX 78209

Interment
11:30 AM
Fort Sam Houston Memorial Cemetary
Shelter 3
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209

Reception
12:00 PM
Fort Sam Houston Golf Club
1050 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209