Cedric T. Hill Obituary

Cedric Thomas Hill, Sr. of Gloucester died suddenly from heart failure on July 28, 2024. He was 71.

Cedric was born to Rowland and Lydia Hill on February 12, 1953 in Stoneham, MA, the third of seven children. Although he grew up in Stoneham, Cedric and his family often visited Gloucester during the summers and, to Cedric's delight, his parents moved the family to East Gloucester when he was fifteen.

After graduating from Gloucester High School, Cedric enrolled at the University of Maine to study forestry. He later changed course, transferring to UMass Lowell, where he obtained a degree in mechanical engineering in 1985. But Cedric's love of the forest never left him, and he spent much of his time hiking the trails of Cape Ann and beyond, both alone and with his family, who he would educate by naming the species of each tree they passed.

Cedric was a man of multiple interests, which was reflected in his professional career. He spent many years working as an engineer, first for Varian in Gloucester, and later at Axcellis Technologies of Beverly. He worked at Axcellis for the past 25 years until his untimely death, and was viewed by the company as an invaluable employee who they chose to represent them around the world.

Cedric was also gifted with a talent for home decorating, and was considered by area paint shops and his far-ranging clientele to be the best and most trustworthy wallpaper hanger north of Boston. He was the go-to guy for both homeowners and businesses when anything creative needed to be done.

Cedric is remembered by his family and those close to him as an attentive, gentle, patient, insightful, and steadfast person who could be counted on in any situation. As his younger sisters Audrey and Georgia recount, he possessed those traits even in his youth. "I remember one time when Audrey and I were sent to our room without supper for misbehaving," said Georgia. "Cedric snuck us a bunch of snacks. He was a great brother.". Audrey recalls that Cedric always considered her feelings and took her seriously when she was upset, but also was not afraid to call her out when he thought she could do better.

Cedric and Alberta (Fozzie) Trefry married in 1979 and had two children: Angie Marshall Hill (Yu), born in 1983, and Cedric Thomas Hill Jr., born in 1985. Cedric was relentlessly supportive of Fozzie's musical and artistic endeavors and died believing she still had the potential to be a world-famous singer. Angie wistfully recalls that growing up her dad regularly serenaded her with "I Want to Hold Your Hand" (they were both big Beatles fans).

Besides his wife and children, Cedric leaves behind his brother, Rowland; his sister, Robin MacLeod; his brother Brian and his wife Stephanie; his sister Audrey Vitale and her husband Frank; his sister Georgia Wostrel and her husband Gregory; his brother Jeffrey and his wife Laura; his Uncle Billy and his wife Meradith; Angie's husband Robby Yu; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Cedric was predeceased by his parents, Rowland and Lydia; his brother-in-law, Stephen MacLeod; and his sister-in-law Wendy Wonson (Hill).

Visiting hours be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington Street, Gloucester on August 8 from 4 to 7 pm. Cedric will be buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery; the service will be private. A memorial celebration will be held in the fall.