John Cerro

Cerro, John MADISON-John Cerro, age 82, of Madison, passed away Monday, July 19, 2010, at Karmenta Nursing Home from complications due to Parkinsons disease. He was born on May 22, 1928, and raised in the Greenbush neighborhood, Madison, to Callisto and Domenica (Geloso) Cerro. After graduating from West High School, John served in the U.S. Navy for seven years. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, having served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kearsarge CV-33. Prior to deployment, John was assigned to guard P.O.W.s in Jacksonville, Fla . He was very proud of his service in the Navy and delighted in paging through his picture album with his sons. John married Pauline Earle on Feb. 2, 1952, at St. Pauls Campus Church in Madison. He worked for the City of Madison, first as a tree trimmer, where his arms were as massive as some of the branches that he cut, and then as a city forestry inspector, retiring after 42 years. Johns interests included , first and foremost, his family and friends. His other interests include camping, hunting, fishing, traveling to Canada, California and Las Vegas, and going to his cabin up North. He and Pauline were Charter members of St. Dennis Catholic Church. He was also a pilot flying for the Mad Cap Flying Club. John is survived by his wife, Pauline; four sons, Stephen (Sushma Mukand-Cerro), James, Thomas (Cindy), and Michael (Laura); seven grandchildren, Ian and Erica Mukand-Cerro, Aidan Peterson-Cerro, Bryan, Matthew, Olivia and Hailey Cerro. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Nellie Dobson, Anne Gaitan and Josie Cerro; and two brothers, Frank and Sam Cerro. Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2010, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2010, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Thank you to the staff at City View and Karmenta Nursing Homes for their care of John. Cemetery: Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery Visitation: Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 22, 2010, and from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Friday. Service: Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 23, 2010, with Father Kent Schmitt presiding.