Auburn Skies

The City is losing a great man and good servant in longtime Councilmember Gene Cerino.

The coach has fulfilled his term, having lost the seat to another great man, John Partridge, in the Nov. 3 general election.

Friends and colleagues assembled early this week to celebrate Cerino’s service. Reporter Robert Whale was there and filed a story, which now is available online and will be in print later this week.

As Mayor Pete Lewis described about Cerino, who is 82: “One of the things as I was coming into the position of mayor that I learned was that if I had something that nobody else ever wanted to touch, ever, I could give it Gene and he would make sure it got done, and he did that consistently.”

Dana Hinman, the city’s communications manager, marveled on how well prepared Cerino was in all facets of his duty. The man did his homework. The man reached out to help others.

Gene Cerino addresses well-wishers at his send-off party at City Hall early this week.

Lewis declared Monday, Dec. 21 “Gene Cerino Day” in the city of Auburn. He also read a proclamation from Gov. Christine Gregoire — whom Cerino taught to drive at Auburn High School — that declared Dec. 21 “Gene Cerino Day in the state of Washington.” Gregoire cited his service as a World War II veteran, his degree from Washington State University, his 27 years as a teacher in the Auburn School District, his 20 years as a wrestling coach, his induction into the state and national wrestling halls of fame, and his service on every City standing committee.

Cerino intends to stay active. He is considerably younger, both physically and mentally, than his actual age would indicate. Very little will keep this good man down.