John "Cecil" McLean Tribute
John "Cecil" McLean, 48, long-time scoreboard operator at Father Judge HS' basketball games and a constant at youth/CYO games in all sports throughout Northeast Philadelphia, has died in his sleep.
"Cecil" was a true character and kind-hearted soul and brightened the lives of everyone who shared time with him.
Arrangements: viewing, 9/28, 7 to 9 p.m., Aldworth Funeral Home, 4117 Decatur Street (near Frankford & Rhawn); funeral, 9/29, 10:30 a.m., St. Dominic RC Church, 8500 Frankford Ave.
---
Remembrances
Marc D. Ross: "I have three boys -- Marc 19, Derek 13, Tim 12. All three went to (or are still going to) St. Matt's. Marc went to Father Judge. The two younger boys when they found out last night were very upset. I coach the JV baseball team at Matt's. Cecil was always around. Giving out gum and just making the kids have fun. It did not matter what the score was Cecil made sure the kids had a smile. Maybe that is what Cecil did the best -- made sure everything was good for the kids. Maybe some parents could learn from him. My younger boys even called Marc down in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where he's going to school. He called me back around 10:30 last night. 'Dad, let me know if I can do anything for Cecil. It hurts, Dad. He was a great person.' I guess heaven just got a little brighter."
Bill Donohoe Jr., La Salle College High School: "I guess it was 3rd or 4th grade when my dad was still coaching at St. Matt's that I was introduced to this guy who always had gum! All through my years at St. Matts, I knew him as a fixture at St. Matt's and Father Judge events, always smiling, joking calling me and everyone else a 'Turkey' and always having a never ending supply of gum. When my dad started football back up at St. Matt's Cecil was a fixture at all events even doing the chains at home games. One Xmas my dad came home with Cecil, and said 'I found Santa' and it was none other than Cecil... ever since, Cecil was a fixture at our house for Xmas dinner. He loved every minute of it and was a joy to be around."
Bill Seybold: "Cecil was a nice kid. I say that lovingly even if he was 48! He would appear at a game out of nowhere and you'd be amazed at the people response he received! Greeted like a celeb! With him on the clock, it was tough to beat Judge at Judge! I will miss him and his local sports knowledge and humor!"
Bill Seybold (again) -- "The Cecil Factor": "I was thinking about Cecil last night and remember an incident that happened about 1997 or 98... Region 1 High School Junior-Senior Basketball Championship game at St Matt's with Matt's vs St Williams. Cecil's on the clock, 2 mins left in the game with Williams up by 10 points and in total control when all of a sudden, there's a commotion at the scorers table, something is happening to Cecil where his finger is frozen on the off button on the clock... It takes like 25 mins to get him out of the gym to a hospital. When the game is resumed, St Matt's proceeds to score the next 14 or 16 points and WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP! Although nothing was seriously wrong at that time with Cecil, I swear after witnessing that conclusion, God willed it because Cecil loved St Matt's! To this day, I have dubbed that win 'The Cecil Factor'! Long Live His Memory!"
Bill Sytsma, Neumann-Goretti Football: "It was very disheartening to learn of the passing of 'Cecil' today. He was a true sports figure in Northeast Philadelphia... Years later I became the coach of St. Bart's. At a game in St. Matt's gym he came up to me to get my roster and said playing around 'you couldn't beat St. Matt's when you played, do you think you can beat them now'? I was taken back by this, that he remembered me years after I had played in the 'B' league."
Ryan Haigh: "I want to first start out by saying how much of legend Cecil truly was in our neighborhood. I have known Cecil my whole life and have never heard anybody say a bad word about him except for calling him a 'turkey.' God only knows how many packs of gum he has bought and given away over the years... Cecil not only did the clock at St. Matts and Judge but he also never missed a practice for either of the teams... Not only was he a master at keeping the clock but he also might possibly go down as the greatest thumb wrestler of the world."
Tom "Hockey Puck" McKenna: "Cecil was a funny guy to be around. Some comical stuff came out of that guy's mouth. I'm gonna miss talkin' basketball with him and seeing run the clock at Judge games."
Joe Maguire: "I played for St. Matt's and Father Judge and now am the Freshman coach at Judge and always remember seeing Cecil at every game. Cecil was probably known by more people in the Northeast then any other person. There are so many memories of Cecil thumb wrestling anyone who would want some gum and calling any coach, player, or any person a 'turkey' immediately telling you 'you better not tell them I said that.'"