Obituary of Joseph A Cesarini

Joseph A. Cesarini, (Cowboy Joe), 91, died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of June 22, 2016. He was born in Boston, Ma, January 3, 1925, the son of Galileo (Leo) Joseph and Elizabeth Marie (Petitpas) Pitts Cesarini. Joseph spent his whole life on the racetrack, starting at an early age stealing away to the fairs in MA, near his home, learning and honing the craft of a thoroughbred race horse trainer. Joseph had a brief stint in the Army, and then he resumed his love of horses which took him all over the country. He quickly was nicknamed “Cowboy Joe” by the racing community, a title that stayed with him his entire life. He was well-known as a respected horseman, having won many leading trainer titles throughout the country. Joseph was a very active person: if not racing, his spare time was spent fishing. He loved fishing in his boat in the Gulf off the coast of Florida. Although he was a much better trainer than fisherman, his love for fishing never wavered. He trained up until about 10 years ago, when age and health issues prevented him from carrying on. After that, he spent his days living with his son Mike, and summers visiting with daughter Joanne in W. VA, and daughter Shannon in Maine where he would eat his favorite meal lobster. He is predeceased by his mother in 1955 and his father in 1950 and two sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Beauvais and Mary Ellen Erickson. Joseph is survived by his sisters: Dorothy McKelvey of Jacksonville, FL and Patricia Wingle of Athol MA, brother Leo Cesarini and wife Betty of Marshfield, MA; children: Dorry Hummer of Germany, J. Michael Cesarini and wife Cathy of TN., Gerald (Jerry) Cesarini, of W. VA, Joanne Dillow of W.VA, Shannon Butler and husband Rick of Warren, ME, Joel J. Cesarini of Thomaston, ME; grandchildren: Elizabeth Cesarini of PA., Mary Catherine Benavides of TX, Nicole Johnson of W.Va., Thomas Dillow of W.VA., Cheyenne Cesarini of Warren, ME, Logan Butler of Warren, ME, Sirenna Butler of Warren, ME, Coleby Ridgley of Warren, ME, Xoe Cesarini of Tarpon Springs , FL. , Amber Cesarini, of Tarpon Springs, FL., Tyler Cesarini, of St. Petersburg, FL; great-grandchildren: Justice Kennedy, Lyricq Johnson and Cameron Dillow; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 10.00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast, Maine 04915. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com. Memorial services will be held at 10.00 a.m., Saturday, July 16, 2016, at Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Avenue, Belfast, Maine 04915. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com.