Birth date: Feb 15, 1933 Death date: Feb 2, 2017
Victor F. Ciciarelli, 83, of Syracuse, NY, passed away Thursday at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Syracuse and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy and SUNY Cortland. Victor worked with the Syracuse City Read Obituary
To the Ciciarelli family: My first year of teaching (1978) I was sent to Roosevelt Jr. High as a permanent sub, after having substituted all year in all the city high schools and junior high schools. This school was so well run it was unbelievable. Halls were quiet, teachers were teaching, kids were learning - it was shockingly different from the other schools at the time. On my first day there, Mr. Ciciarelli came to meet me and welcome me (a lowly sub). He said to me, "Don't take any "crap" from these kids!" Of course I immediately loved him! And so did the kids. I remember one young man, who had been suspended the previous day (for the rest of the day only, for being disruptive in class), going around collecting money for a plaque to honor Mr. Ciciarelli, the person who had just suspended him. Mr. Ciciarelli was a fair and loving father figure. I was only there for those few weeks at the end of that year, and went on to teach in other districts until retirement in 2013, but I still remember him as one of the greatest principals I've known, one who really knew how to lead teachers and kids. I am so sorry to read of his passing. I cannot imagine the impact he had on the students he encountered in his life. My deepest condolences to you. He was a great man.
Mr. C. was principle of Roosevelt Junior High School when I attended back in the late 70's. I remember him vividly as a caring individual and beneath his gruff shell that he liked to display at times, would reveal a man that really was interested in guidance of young students to go on and do better things. One of my found memories of him was in the morning, as school was starting, he would be in front of the school with a megaphone telling those students that walked across the grass instead of the sidewalk to the entrance to "Get Off My Worms!". This still makes me chuckle to this day. Thank you and rest in peace Mr. C.
Before I get to involved in my day. Mr. C., you wrote in my yearbook in 9th grade that I would be the girl most likely to spend high school in the Guidance Counselor's office. Thank you for being the first educator to challenge me. You saw there was more to me than the situation I was forced to live through. You knew my defiant attitude was just a cover and cry for help. Without you and Daniel Harris (my Guidance Counselor)I can honestly say I doubt I would be here today. I don't even know who my Guidance Counselor in High School was. Thank you and RIP.
Vic...I am sorry to hear about your Dad. I did not know about him until today. May he rest in peace. Coleen and family
It is hard to explain what Vic meant to the Roosevelt Staff-or anyone who knew him.
The reputation that surrounded us, the TV stations that were on alert, only made us fight harder for him and for our kids. I remember him writing cards to thank us for field trips well done! Catch 'em doing good.Looking into our student's eyes, into our colleague's eyes meant everything. And now our "seat-of-the-pants" has turned into the base of proven research. Vic organized us to use a slide show to tell the community that Roosevelt had arrived! He stood outside and greeted everyone, no matter what they gave in return. It was Vic who turned the master schedule over to a well-oiled machine of faculty , and no one complained when it was done. He looked for what worked...and it did! It made for a bumpy ride, but in the end, it was incredibly satisfying! Thank you , Vic!
Thinking of you at this time, Mr. Ciccarelli... with heartfelt condolences...Linda Mitchell Dunn and siblings who knew and appreciated your father's good work at being their principal-Roosevelt Junior High School.
Uncle Vic was the man. He was the first person to give me a job as a sub-laborer for the Syracuse City School District which taught me a lot about life and doing well in school. He always gave me good career advice whenever I spoke to him. I know my Dad and I will miss him.
Bubba Ciciarelli
I was lucky enough to work with Vic in the SCSD Special Ed Dept in the early 80s. He was clear, consistent, fair and loving in his own way; no one worked harder than Vic. Rest In Peace, Vic; you were one in a million. Sympathy and prayers to his family and all who loved him.
The family, mr. C was my princess ball in the early 70s. He was fair to the young people of Roosevelt junior high during a time when unfairness were the norm. He would always be remember as a great principal. With prayers and love Pastor Christine Moore
To the family of Mr. Victor Ciciarelli: Mr. Ciciarelli was my first educational boss. I was a member of his staff at Roosevelt Jr. High School 1969-1987. He provided me with the professional tough love tools for the real world of teaching. Those tools helped tremendously in my teaching career and life. Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss.
Ms. Juanita Anderson Taylor
