Cecil Dwaine Blackburn

Cecil (Bugs) Blackburn, age 73,  passed away in the early morning, of Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at home, surrounded by his loving family.

Cecil was born on June 30, 1946 in Martin, Kentucky, to the late James and Geneva (Meade) Blackburn. He was the middle child of three boys. At an early age the family moved to Michigan. Cecil attended Paw Paw High School where he was active in various sports and had a love for hot rods. He graduated in 1964. He proudly went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps (Semper Fi…Oorah) during the Vietnam War. After returning home he was employed with The Upjohn Company for 35 years before retiring from Pharmacia. In addition to his full time work at Upjohn he was the Varsity Boys Golf Coach at Portage Northern High School for eleven years from 1986 to 1997.

Cecil married Rosemary Bonarski in 1966 and had two children, Amy Lynn and Jeffrey James. As a family they made lifetime memories which they will cherish forever.

Cecil loved both managing the Men’s Tuesday Night Golf League and his Friday golf games at the Moors. He had a passion for coaching the boys’ and girls’ JV golf teams at Hackett Catholic Prep HS. He loved Martini Mondays with his best friends; his WMU season hockey tickets; and watching his granddaughter play all the sports she loved. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends, laughing and living life to its fullest. He was a loving and caring person, devoted husband, father, papa, and friend, always thinking of others first.

Cecil leaves behind his beloved wife Rosie; children, Amy Blackburn Small and Jeff (Michelle) Blackburn; granddaughters Amelia Small (Joey DeRosa), Tori (Jerome) Lieter; brothers James (Carol) Blackburn, Greg (Sue) Blackburn; sisters-in-law Jan Bonarski, Barbara Zach, Jacqui Groenland and Patti Carpenter; along with many nephews and nieces.

A Celebration of Life with Marine Military Honors will be held at the Fraternal Order Of Eagles 3531, 11611 Shaver Road, Schoolcraft, MI  on Friday November 15, 2019 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm with Military Honors beginning at 11:30.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo (Hospice Care of SW Michigan) or Kalamazoo Hackett Catholic Prep Golf Program.  Share A memory or sign the guest book at: www.adamspawpaw.com