Cecere, Macy, Age: 87, Holmdel

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Massimo Cecere, 87, passed peacefully on January 2 in Holmdel. Formerly a resident of Atlantic City for many years, he was born in Bonito, Italy in 1928 to Pasquale and Grace Cecere. They made Newark their home where he graduated from Barringer High School in 1945.

Macy was a member of the Italian Honor Society, Glee Club and was an avid sportsman. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, and was honorably discharge P.F.C. He attended the University of Savannah and Upsala College.

During the 1950s Macy was a photographer for Spotlight Magazine in the New York nightclub scene where he had the oppor tunity to socialize with many enter tainers and spor ts celebrities. He became a successful manufacturer in the 1960s of some of the first artificial Christmas trees. He had many accomplishments: The first TV show featuring an artificial tree, a rotating Christmas tree that now is the centerpiece of the Livingston NJ Winter Festival each year; Macy opened a retail store, Holiday Gifts in the Forest Hills section of Newark, which was the destination for special occasions, decorations and gifts during all holidays year round.

In his retirement Macy generously donated his time and was presented the President’s Service Award and Senior Companion Program Award.

Known lovingly as Uncle Macy, he was predeceased by his sister, Madeline Giordano. He is survived by nephews, Paul V Giordano and Lynda Marut, Robert A Giordano and wife Gail; a niece, Rosanne Juergens; and great-nephews, Robert M. Giordano and Trevor Juergens.