Philip A. Cerra, Sr. of Woburn passed away peacefully, September 1, 2018, at the Woburn Nursing Center following a short period of declining health. He was 87. Phil was the beloved husband of the late Frances T. (Domenici) Cerra. Born in Boston he was the son of the late Antonio and Francesca (Romano) Cerra.
Phil was raised in Boston and attended Boston schools and later attended Medford High School. As a young boy always keeping busy he worked as a shoe shiner to help support himself and his family. He began playing guitar as a young boy and became a talented and gifted musician for the rest of his life. He entertained all over New England with his group "The Phil Cerra Trio" playing different venues and events. He played guitar with and for many celebrities, musicians and local performers. He also taught guitar lessons for forty years here in Woburn and was sought after by many aspiring musicians for lessons that he taught at a high level of playing in order for them to receive accreditation at their craft. Phil also worked for 17 years at the MIT Lincoln Labs Transportation Department where he made many wonderful friendships over the years. Phil enjoyed traveling and especially spending many years vacationing in Aruba and he was an avid fan of all the major Boston Sport teams. However his greatest joy was his family and nothing made him happier than to be surrounded by those he loved.
In addition to his late wife and parents, Phil is sadly predeceased by his siblings, Joseph, Frank, Vincent, Salvatore "Sam" and Mary Cerra.
He is survived by his devoted children; Susan Soukaros and her late husband George of West Roxbury, Diane Cerra of Taunton, and Philip Cerra, Jr. of Woburn. He was the loving grandfather of Heidi Henderson, Amy Senay, James and Gina Soukaros. He is also survived by nine loving great grandchildren and is further survived by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Family Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., WOBURN, Thursday, September 6th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral Mass celebrated in St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd, Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with burial at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. It has been requested that in lieu of flowers contributions may be made in Phil's memory to the American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Ave., Staten Island, NY 10305.