Theodore A. Cerri, 1926–2026

Theodore Angelo Cerri, age 99, formerly of Wayland, Lincoln, and Stoughton, died on February 28, 2026, surrounded by his family and friends. Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a major of the U.S. Army, an active-duty veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, and a Bronze Star medal recipient.

Born on July 15, 1926, in Rumford, Maine to Domenic Cerri and Anna Negrini, Ted was raised in Dedham. He was the third-oldest child, predeceased by all his siblings: Lawrence Cerri, Walter Cerri, and Virginia (Booj) Francesconi.

Ted married Carmela (Candy) Defilippo on June 8, 1952, the week before he was deployed to Korea. They were happily married and completely devoted to each other for nearly 73 years when Candy passed away in January of 2025.

After attending Dedham High School but before graduating and still in his 17th year, Ted joined the U.S. Merchant Marine. He sailed to Europe, Asia, and Africa on a liberty ship called the S.S. Henry Ward Beecher, delivering supplies and soldiers to strategic locations while facing a constant threat of attack on the high seas. Ted enjoyed describing his experiences as a mariner — climbing to the crow’s nest, passing ammunition to the gun crews, steering the ship, and standing lookout on the bow in thick fog for the blue warning light on the stern of the vessel that was just yards ahead in the convoy.

Ted’s regular military service began in 1945 as an enlisted man serving in Germany until 1948. During that time, he worked as an MP, and also visited various German towns by jeep, looking for parts and supplies for the U.S. Army base in Bremerhaven. Upon his return to the U.S., he attended Boston University on the G.I. bill, made the Dean’s List, participated in the ROTC program, and was designated Distinguished Military Graduate, accepting a regular army commission in 1952 at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. His degree was in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in German literature.

Acceptance of his officer’s commission meant immediate entry into the Army for a minimum of three years and his active-duty orders arrived on June 12, 1952, while he and Candy were on their honeymoon. He was sent to Fort Benning for Infantry Company Officer’s School and then to Fort Knox to train recruits in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division in Korea. While there, he received his briefing on the division’s missions and status from Col. John Eisenhower (Ike’s son). The next day he was assigned to G Company of the 65th Regiment, which was on the front or main line of resistance near the 38th parallel of the Korean Peninsula. A military transport dropped him off alone at the side of a road at dusk near a trail and the driver instructed him to go find his company. It grew dark after he climbed a few hundred meters and, seeing no sign of his company, spent the night on that hill in freezing temperatures. The next day he was assigned to lead the company’s second platoon.

In January of 1953 while out on patrol in Wonju, Ted found a little South Korean girl abandoned and hiding in a cave. Ted put her at ease and then brought her to a MASH unit where she got the care she needed. In later years, when asked about his combat experience, Ted was quick to point out that the fact he was able to help that innocent victim of the war is what made it all worthwhile.

Lieutenant Cerri received the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding heroism. On July 16, 1953, near Kumwha, North Korea, a U.N. patrol became trapped in a minefield, with several men wounded from detonated mines. When Ted heard of this, he immediately left the comparative safety of his position with one or two of his men and moved toward the minefield under heavy fire. He directed the evacuation of the wounded and remained there with complete disregard for his personal safety until all the casualties had been safely removed. He received a second Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, a Korean Citation for his service in the front line, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

After the war Ted reverted to inactive status and joined the Massachusetts National Guard, serving as a captain there for four and one half years in various capacities, including Company Commander and Battery Commander. He was assigned to the 94th Command Headquarters as Operations Supervisor, Combat Commander, and Assistant G-1 from 1963-1965. He was promoted to major in 1965 and served in the Army Reserve until 1972. He retired from the military after serving 24 years.

Ted had a long career in the insurance business, beginning with the Employer’s Group in the later 1950s and then moving on to Utica National Insurance Group where he was the regional loss control manager until his retirement.

Ted was a skilled woodworker (his father was a carpenter by trade), and he especially enjoyed precision work with molding and paneling, often using his lathe and a table saw for which he built a customized table. Ted and his father, Domenic, built Ted and Candy’s house on 93 Forest Road in Stoughton in the 1950’s, where they resided for over 45 years before moving to Lincoln in 2008. They lived independently until May 2024, when they moved into Sunrise Senior Living in Wayland.

Ted, who will be extremely missed, is survived by his two children, Jo Ann Cerri England (Dan England) and Michael Cerri (Judith Campos); his six grandchildren, Genevieve Rudolph (Andy Meisenheimer), Domenic Cerri (Mary Beth Grewe), Camila Campos-Cerri, Daniela Acosta, Marie England Doe (Nic), and Theodore England; and his great grandchildren August Rudolph, Eliana Acosta-Lopez, Isabel Grewe-Cerri, Raphael Grewe-Cerri, and Adeline Carmela Meisenheimer.

Ted also leaves behind his late wife’s dear sister, Maria Falcione, and their brother-in-law, Harold Hanlon, as well as five nephews and two nieces, a host of other relatives, and close family friends. Known as Grampy Ted to both family and chosen family, he deeply loved and cared for each of us. His honorary great-grandchildren Milo, Landon, and Layla Guzman, also had a special place in his heart.

He cherished his Sunrise of Wayland community (staff and friends), who referred to him as a “real gentleman.” He adored the nurses and therapists from Transitions with Care. He was so appreciative and touched by Brian Tony Mwesige and his team from Platinum, who were lovingly by his side these past few months. Our family is so grateful to them all.

Ted had many friends and neighbors to whom he was devoted. He also loved many family dogs, including his grand-dog Lucy who recently passed as well. Ted (Grampy) was always present for us all. He will forever be in our hearts.

A private celebration of life will be held later this year, at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, with full US Army military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wreaths Across America program at the MVMC in Winchendon, or to the Friends of the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Checks can be mailed to either group at 14 Winter Place, Winchendon MA 01475.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. Click here to share a condolence or remembrance on Ted’s tribute page.