Timothy Keiling Receives Thelma and Anthony P. Cecere Scholarship Award

Thanks to past Yorktown Heights Fire Chief Martin McGannon for sharing the news with Patch: 

Shortly after Anthony P. Cecere passed away in 2002, his son Anthony M. Cecere set up a scholarship fund for a member of the Yorktown Heights Engine Company Junior Corp. 

He named the fund – Thelma and Anthony P. Cecere Scholarship – after his mother and father because of their dedication to the town.

After moving to Yorktown and opening the well-known Yorktown Pharmacy in 1930, Anthony P. (DOC) Cecere joined the Yorktown Heights Engine Co. #1. He responded to many calls and helped out in the fundraising events. But eventually Cecere started to play a more important role.

With the increase of fire calls and Cecere's business growing, arrangements were made so he or his wife Thelma would be able to answer the fire emergency phone and transmit radio communications right from the Yorktown Pharmacy for the Engine Company. 

"Cecere and his wife had been the day time dispatchers for many years," McGannon said. "To this day parts of the old phone system still exist."

This year's 2013 Thelma and Anthony P. Cecere Scholarship has been awarded to Timothy Keiling.

During Keiling's time in the Junior Corp. he has shown a mature, responsible, and assertive attitude towards all endeavors he partakes in. He will be furthering his education in Maryland and will be continuing his fire training in a ride-a-long/bunk program.

"The members of the Junior Corp Committee and the members of the Scholarship Committee congratulate Timothy Keiling on a job well done," McGannon said.