Victor Cestar, Jr.

- Victor Cestar Jr. of Franklin, Michigan passed away March 27, 2024.

Victor enjoyed a full and wonderful life enriched by his beautiful family. He loved them above all else. A captivating and talented storyteller, his eleven grandchildren surrounded him.

Proud of his Italian and Lithuanian heritage, his eggplant parmigiana was legendary, his table always crowded. The first in his family to attend college, he ensured his four children would follow his path and beyond, underwriting their happy and productive lives.

Victor was a patriot who loved his country. A graduate of Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI, he was a commissioned officer in the United States Navy. Tours of duty included serving as Executive Officer on a destroyer during the Cuban Missile Crisis and command postings at Subic Bay in the Philippines. He relished a Fourth of July parade, occasions for family celebration.

Victor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Arizona State University. He also graduated from the Executive Management Program at Columbia University. He joined the Turner Construction Company as a young engineer, one of the largest global construction enterprises. He rose quickly as a capable executive and engineer, managing Turner territory offices in Cleveland, OH, Columbus, OH and Detroit, MI. He became Chief Executive Officer of Turner non-union subsidiary Transcon Construction headquartered in Atlanta, GA. While he ascended to senior ranks, he was most proud of personally project-managing many iconic buildings, including music centers, high rises, hospitals, churches, and schools.

Victor was committed to his faith and generous in helping others. He was a good listener, mentor, friend, and father. He was a lifelong student of Native American tribes and culture, and supported non-profits dedicated to their benefit. He cherished the ocean and beach, where he found many happy hours with children and grandchildren. An adversary to hedgehogs, his glorious gardens brought joy to neighbors and friends. His lovers’ quarrel with golf went unresolved.

Victor married his high school sweetheart in 1963, the former Marcia Ann Judd, beloved and late of Watertown, CT, and is survived by four children: John Cestar, Mimi Schwartz, Kate Cestar-Epstein and Mathew Cestar; and eleven grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. April 9, 2024, at St. John the Evangelist Church, 574 Main St., Watertown, CT. ¬¬¬Burial will follow in Mount Olivet Cemetery, 669 Platt Rd. Watertown, CT. Friends may call at the Hickcox Funeral Home, 195 Main St. Watertown, CT, on Monday, April 8, 2024. from 4-6pm

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Victor’s name be made to the Karmanos Cancer Institute at Wayne State University: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, Contributions - VE01FS, 4100 John R, Detroit, Michigan 48201, https:// www.karmanos.org/karmanos-foundation/karmanos-foundation.

We wish our dear Victor a restful onward journey. Buon viaggio carissimo Victor. For additional information or to leave an online message of condolence, please visit http://www.hickcoxfuneralhome.com.