Cecil F. Bodelson died peacefully on November 19, 2025 at home with the love of his life at his side. Cecil fought a long and arduous battle with a rare cancer called "myelofibrosis," a deadly cancer of the blood and bones.

Cecil was born Sept. 15, 1943 at the old Ossining Hospital on Spring Street Ossining, New York. Cecil was born to Blanch Sampson and Cecil Bodelson. Cecil was a lifelong resident of Ossining. He loved his hometown. Cecil grew up in the historic district once known as "Sparta Village" and lived on Hudson Street. As a young boy Cecil would love to hike at what was known as "Mt. Murray" off Rockledge Avenue and Liberty Street, where Scarborough Manor stands today.

As a young boy Cecil loved to fish and crab the Hudson River, at the old "Sparta Dock." Cecil had regular customers for his crab catch and after he caught a bushel or two would walk and hand deliver his catch to his customers on Hudson Street, Spring Street and State Street. As a young boy Cecil would often go with his uncle who was a commercial fisherman on the Hudson harvesting sturgeon, then deliver the fish to the Fulton Fish Market which was at that time on the East River at the South Street Seaport. Cecil always loved it when they would catch a female sturgeon filled with caviar!! Sadly, all commercial fishing ended in 1973 due to man-made pollution and contamination. Up until that time you could often find Cecil with his two sons in tow crabbing in the Hudson.

Cecil was employed by Vanguard Tours based on Westerly Road in Ossining next to the Marina. Cecil was general manager for Vanguard for several years.

Later Cecil sought employment with the Briarcliff Manor Public School district, working there for over 33 years until his retirement in 2009. Cecil was also a certified examiner for the Department of Motor Vehicles State of New York, to test Class "B" school bus drivers for licensure.

Cecil married Mary Jane Manna from Tarrytown, N.Y. in 1964. Cecil loved his family and spent almost every summer vacationing with his wife and children, and later grandchildren at their family cottage in Virginia Beach, Va.

Cecil loved bird watching and was an avid "birder." Cecil and Mary Jane would love to go out in their canoe looking for birds and other waterfowl including shore birds common to the area. Cecil was a member of the Saw Mill River Audubon Society. Cecil was also a member of Teatown Lake Reservation where he helped mark the trails still hiked and enjoyed by so many today. Cecil and family would also frequent the Adirondack Mountains to hike and ski at a family camp in Wells, N.Y. Cecil had a great love for the out-of-doors and wildlife.

Cecil loved sports and took his sports seriously. Cecil was an avid Mets, Jets, and of course, a K.C. Chiefs fan!

Cecil loved his home and family life residing at 809 Pines Bridge Road for over 40 years. Cecil loved to "putter" around the home and yard working on small projects. Cecil always had a project!

Cecil is survived by his wife of 61 years Mary Jane; 2 sons Cecil III of Kansas City, Michael of Orangeburg, N.Y.; 2 loving grandchildren Nichole of Pleasanton, KS, & Cecil IV of Kansas City; 3 great-grandchildren William Billings Jr., Coralynn Billings & Olivia Bodelson.

Cecil had the good fortune of having many friends and he cherished all of them. All those that knew him will remember him as a kind and gentle soul. Cecil will hold a special place in our hearts forever.