Pettiford, Cello

Cello Laertes Pettiford, age 63, of Berwyn, Ill., peacefully transitioned from this life on August 5, 2022 from a myocardial infraction. Cello was born October 8, 1958, in Manhattan, N.Y. One month later, he and his mother joined his father, who was in Europe on tour with “Jazz at the Philharmonic.” Thereafter, the family moved to Copenhagen where his twin sister’s were born and where his father died suddenly from a polio-like virus. The family returned to America when Cello was six years old. He grew up in Chicago, where his mother remarried and his youngest sister was born.

After elementary school Cello attended Lane Technical High School and then transferred to Nicholas Senn High School in his senior year. Upon completion of high school Cello joined the U.S. military, which became his lifetime career. He served as an Army Medical Specialist. While stationed at Ft. Riley, he met and married fellowsoldier “Mimi” (Mary Ellen Howell), became a parent of two sons, and attended Kansas State University for a B.A. degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon retirement, he served in the Army Reserves, training recruits; joined the Illinois National Guard; and obtained a A.A.S. honors degree in Paralegal Studies, at Wilbur Wright College, Chicago. He was currently pursuing a degree in Inner City Studies at Northeastern Illinois University.

Cello was an avid lover of baseball, jazz, good food, and family; but his greatest love was advocating for those less fortunate than himself, and God. He was a peacemaker who truly resembled “…the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16). Preceding him in death were his father Oscar C. Pettiford (the renown jazz musician) and stepfather Luther C. Griffin (interior decorator).

Surviving Cello are: Mimi and their two sons: John C. (Marty) Pettiford; Cello II (Brittany) Pettiford; his mother, Jacqueline Pettiford Griffin; three sisters: twins Cellina Pettiford and Celeste (Tim) Jones, Sarah Griffin (Alex Diaz); “surrogate brother”: lifetime BFF Anthony Pass; five grandchildren: Nile and River; Cello III, Solana, and Lotus; two nieces: Ashley; Samantha; numerous kinfolk and friends; and beloved (pet dog) Taco.

Cello will be deeply missed by all. Interment will take place at Sauk Prairie Cemetery, Sauk City, Wisconsin.

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