Oneida Daily Dispatch 
Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998 

ONEIDA  Alexander A. "Alex" Cerio, 83, of 3924 Pratt Drive, died Tuesday, 
Aug. 18, 1998, in the Veteran's Administration Medical Center, where he had 
been a medical patient since July II, 
 
Mr. Cerio was born on May 23, 1915, in Canastota, the son of Carmen and Rosa 
Notatomaso Cerio. A lifelong resident of the area, he graduated from 
Canastota High School. 
 
He was also a graduate of St. Michael's College, University of Toronto and 
the Albany Law School. 
 
He married Yvonne Mahony in 1946. She died in 1975. He then married Marjorie 
McPherson Chamberlin on Aug. 18, 1979, in St. Agatha's Church, Canastota. 
 
Mr. Cerio operated his own law practice in Canastota from 1946 to 1997, and 
had served as the attorney for the town of Lenox, Canastota Central Schools 
and the Oneida Lake South Shore Sewer District. 
 
He was an Army veteran of World War II, where he served in the European 
Theatre and received the Bronze Star. 
 
Mr. Cerio was a member of St. Patrick's Church ofOneida, the Madison County 
Bar Association and the Emmaus Ministries. He was also a 54-year member and 
Past Commander of the Charles Miller American Legion Post No. 140 of 
Canastota. 
 
Mr. Cerio served as board chairman for Madison County Catholic Charities and 
Madison County RSVP. He also did extensive volunteer work with the RSVP 
program tax preparation services, St. Patrick's Bingo team, Karing Kitchen 
and the Prison Ministries Voltunteers.
 
In 1986, Mr. Cerio was presented the Outstanding Citizen Award by the Charles
Miller American Legion Post No. 140 of Canastota for dedication in service to
the community. 
 
Surviving are his wife; two daughters and one son-in-law, Rosemary McGraw of 
Syracuse and Susanna and Robert Sandle of Farmington; two stepdaughters and 
one stepson-in-law, Cherry Foster of Vestal and Masha and Russell Belyavski-
Frank of Greencastle, Ind.; two stepsons, George Chamberlin of Colorado 
Springs, Colo. and Lt. Col. Brooks Chamberlin of Heidelberg, Germany; one 
sister, Jennie DeVencenzo of Canastota; three grandchildren, Matthew Sandle, 
Erin Marie Sandle and John MeGraw; six step-grandchildren, Shannon Karski, 
Erin Foster, Sean Foster, George Chamberlin Jr., Grant Chamberlin and Shea 
Marie Chamberlin; and several nieces and nephews.