CEDERHOLM ROGER W

COL Roger W. Cederholm was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 08/25/2016 at the age of 79.5
Naples, FL
Date of Birth 02/10/1937
Served in the U.S. Marine Corps
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Colonel Roger Wayne Cederholm (USMC - Retired) passed away on 25 August, 2016. Colonel Cederholm was born on 10 February, 1937 in Weymouth, Massachusetts to Edmund and Josephine (Ippolito) Cederholm.

He grew up in Waterbury, Connecticut, where he attended Crosby High School and was a great three sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) being named All City and All Naugatuck Valley Conference multiple times.

Colonel Cederholm attended Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois for two years before enlisting in the United States Marine Corps, serving a two-year enlistment with 5th Marines. He then re-entered the Marine Corps as a MARCAD, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant and Naval Aviator Wings of Gold in 1963. He was stationed at Tustin Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) where he flew the venerable UH-34. He volunteered to go to Vietnam and, one week before deploying, he married the love of his life - Sylvia (Boyce) on 15 May, 1965 in Las Vegas. Roger and Sylvia were married for over 51 years. In Vietnam, Roger flew 316 combat missions, and was shot down twice rescuing injured US Marines. On one of those missions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary aerial achievement in rescuing 40 wounded Marines under withering Viet Cong fire that struck his helicopter with multiple rounds. He undoubtedly saved the lives of many that day according to the citation; he never spoke of that however, for he was a humble man.

Upon his return from Vietnam, Roger and Sylvia were stationed at New River, MCAS where they welcomed a son, Michael - now a Brigadier General in the Marine Corps. Additional postings included Pensacola, FL and Peoria, IL, where Roger finished his degree at Bradley University on the Deans List. Honorably Discharged in 1970, Roger and Sylvia returned to Waterbury, CT and welcomed a daughter, Kristen - now a Special Agent in the FBI. Roger began a career in the insurance business that spanned 30 years and culminated in managing the Litchfield Insurance Group in Winsted, CT.

Roger and Sylvia retired to North Fort Myers in 2005, where they built a home on a golf course...and lived their retirement dream of enjoying family and friends.

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Sylvia, his son Michael and his wife Rebecca, his daughter Kristen and her husband Scott, his sister Joan and her husband Harry, his sister Karin and her husband Joe, seven grandchildren he loved dearly: John, Roger, Amy, James, Joseph, Zachary and Mitchell, and so many friends and extended family.

Roger taught us all by his example, as he displayed unwavering values, determination, and a positive attitude. He loved spending time with fellow Marines and playing golf with dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the Semper Fi Fund, semperfifund.org. Roger was a very humble and generous man...with the heart of a lion who loved his Family, Friends and Country ferociously. He made a huge difference in all our lives, will be sorely missed, and will never be forgotten.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Monday, September 5, 2016 at Church of the Redeemer, 222 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236. Friends will be received from 2 - 4 PM Sunday, September 4, 2016 in the chapel of Fort Myers Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907.

https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/NCTGFD3YBRCGH56B

Burial: Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, Fort Myers, Lee County, Florida, USA

Burial information: Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, Fort Myers, FL

This information was last updated 09/04/2016

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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024


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