Robert J. Cercone
Robert J. Cercone went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 10, 2025. Born September 19, 1933, in Conway, Pennsylvania, he was the son of the late Romeo and Mary (Renzo) Cercone and brother of the late Raymond Cercone. Robert was a member of St. Felix Catholic Church in Freedom, where he served as Eucharistic Minister and a member of the church finance committee.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Wanda (Orlowski) Cercone. Throughout their marriage, Wanda was a steady source of love and support alongside Robert. Her unwavering commitment was evident during times of health as well as sickness, when she served not only as a spouse but also a devoted caregiver.
He is also survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Laura and Juan Contreras, Frisco Texas; Renee and Dr. Horacio Rilo, Long Island, New York; a son and daughter-in-law, John and Cristina Cercone, Economy, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, Nathan Contreras of Seattle, Washington and Luke Contreras of Chicago, Illinois; Horacio Rilo of Austin, Texas and Zachary Rilo of New York City, New York; Giovanna and Mario Cercone of Economy, Pennsylvania; and brother Eugene Cercone and wife Donna of Conway, Pennsylvania.
A life-long resident of Freedom, he earned distinction as a student, an athlete, and a member of the community. As a high school student in the 1950s, Robert lettered in three varsity sports and won acclaim as a record-setting athlete. When he left Freedom for Youngstown State University on an athletic scholarship, he held the WPIAL single-game basketball scoring record with 52 points.
At Youngstown State University, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and three varsity letters in basketball. He received his master’s degree in education at the University of Pittsburgh, where he completed his Superintendent’s certification during his doctoral studies.
Robert served as an Engineering Specialist with the U.S. Army Engineers in Newbury, England and Special Service Coordinator at 928 Group Headquarters in Zweibrucken, Germany from 1956-1958.
Most significantly, Robert was a dominant and influential force in Freedom public education in a career that served the district for over half a century. From the beginning of his career, he served the Freedom district in many capacities, including as a business teacher, where the Pennsylvania Department of Education recognized him for his excellence in teaching where he participated in a competency-based teaching study with Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He served as junior high principal, curriculum director, Assistant Superintendent, and ultimately Superintendent of schools. After retirement, Robert served as a financial consultant for the Freedom Area School District. He was instrumental in advancing the district’s PlanCon initiative to a successful outcome, bringing millions of dollars to the district.
Bob earned the Freedom superintendency through an unorthodox “interview” – a position paper delivered to the school board meeting – just one example of how he “thought outside the box” well before the term became popular.
He assumed his position as Superintendent in 1971 and retired in 2002, making him one of the longest-tenured Superintendents in the state. During those years, he spearheaded numerous education reforms, won countless awards and commendations, and served on boards and committees at the local, regional, and state levels. Robert believed in and supported his staff––he was a champion of education labor relations and emphasized both collective and individual achievement and recognition. Through the years, it was evident that he never lost sight of the students, as he was an active supporter of athletic programs for boys and girls and promoted innovative curriculum programs, such as his early adoption of cutting-edge technology at all grade levels. He encouraged initiatives in special education and school-to-career programs, which were recognized by the U.S. Office of Education’s “Great Schools” program. Because of him, Freedom was among fifteen school districts chosen for its bargaining “win-win” negotiations by Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Labor Studies.
An early proponent of racial equity and developing untapped potential, Bob steered the district safely through the tumultuous era of the 1960s. He entered the Harrisburg political arena when he championed and successfully fought several times to change the state funding formula for small and urban schools. He guided the district through a large-scale construction program and safely through grave uncertainty after mine subsidence damaged school buildings.
He served or held admission in the American Association of School Administrators, PARSS, PASA, PASC, and PBSA. He served as chairman of the Beaver Valley Intermediate Unit’s legislative/school subsidy and medical insurance committees. He dedicated his life to education. His more than 40 years in education, including 31 years as superintendent in the same school district, make him one of the longest-serving superintendents in the state.
Family and friends will be received on Thursday, March 13, from 3-8 PM in the Huntsman Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc. (502 Adams St.) Rochester PA 15074. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM in Our Lady of the Valley, St. Felix parish. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Freedom, where the Beaver Co. Special Unit will conduct military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:http://freedomareaeducationalfoundation.org/scholarships