JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Saint Peter's University community is mourning the death of men's basketball legend Bernie Cicirelli Sr. '55, who passed away on May 24.
Cicirelli played on the men's basketball team at Saint Peter's from 1952-55. He scored 1,142 career points, becoming the third Peacock to surpass the career mark at the time and currently ranks 24th on the program's all-time charts. Cicirelli was the first player in Saint Peter's history to be named as an All-American. Despite leading the Peacocks in scoring and assists, he took the most pride in his defensive ability. Under legendary coach Don Kennedy, Cicirelli was the stopper assigned to shut down the Peacocks' opponent's best guard. He was an inductee into the inaugural Saint Peter's Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 1981 and he was inducted into the MAAC Honor Roll in 2013.
Cicirelli's time as a Peacock began a three-generation legacy at the school, with several of his children and grandchildren attending Saint Peter's, too. Cicirelli was also involved in ROTC at Saint Peter's.
A viewing will be at the Holmdel Funeral Home (26 S. Holmdel Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733) from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 2nd.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Gabriel's Historic Church (549 County Rd 520, Marlboro, NJ 07746) at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 3rd. Entombment is to follow at St. Gabriel's Cemetery & Mausoleum.
