Stanhope youth killed by car is remembered

STANHOPE — Family and friends, including students from Sussex Tech, recently mourned the untimely passing of Dominick M. Cecere, 17, who was struck by a car and killed on Monday, Jan. 9, while crossing Route 183 in Stanhope after getting off a school bus.
According to Stanhope police, Cecere was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which occurred about 6 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Route 183 and Linden Avenue. After exiting the school bus, Cecere attempted to cross the highway and was struck by a car driven by Julio Acevedo of Hopatcong. Acevedo, who was not injured, remained on the scene and cooperated with police. Cecere was not crossing at a designated crosswalk and Acevedo was not charged in the incident, police said.
Dominick, who lived in Stanhope since 2001, was a senior at Sussex Tech in Sparta, where he was an honor student. He had been on the honor rolls since 6th Grade at Valley Road School in Stanhope. According to published reports, students from Sussex Tech and Lenape Valley Regional High School gathered last Wednesday near the site of the fatal accident for an impromptu memorial service. They placed a wooden cross and a wreath on the spot, as well as other flowers and stuffed animals.
He was laid to rest on Saturday, Jan. 14, after a funeral ceremony at Grace Church on the Mount in Netcong.
According to his obituary, released by the Morgan Funeral Home in Netcong, Dominick was born in Denville to his loving parents, Kevin and Elizabeth, and lived in the Cranberry Lake section of Byram Twp. before moving to Stanhope in 2001.
Always a good student, he had been on the high honor roll since the 6th grade, and was decorated with the Best Conduct Award upon his graduation from Valley Road School in Stanhope. At Sussex Tech, Dominick was studying in the Allied Health department with future plans to go to County College of Morris. He enjoyed running, and was a member of the cross country team, and winter and spring track teams at his high school. He received many honors and awards for his achievements in the sport.
Dominick was a member of Grace Church on the Mount in Netcong and Emergence Church in Roxbury. He served in the Children’s Ministries at both churches. Not only was Dominick a caring and devoted son, he was also the best big brother anyone could have asked for, always helping his little sister, Joanna, with homework and taking great care of her.
In addition to his parents, Kevin and Elizabeth, and his sister, Joanna, Dominick is survived by his paternal grandparents, Nunzio and Janice Cecere of Morris Twp.; his maternal grandparents, Herbert and Barbara Noffke of Long Valley; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and his beloved dog, Jackson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dominick’s name to: Samaritan’s Purse, putting a stop to human trafficking (www.samaritanspurse.org/disaster/putting-a-stop-to-human-trafficking/)