Obituary of John P. Cena, DPM

John P. Cena, DPM, 86, of Peabody, died early Wednesday evening at the Rosewood Nursing Home in Peabody following a brief illness. He was the devoted husband of Sarah (Mallia) Cena with whom he shared over 59 years of marriage. Born in Tovey, Illinois, he was the son of the late Agostino and Madelena (Belegante) Cena. His family moved to Peabody while he was in grammar school and he has lived in Peabody ever since. He attended Peabody Public schools and graduated from Peabody High School in 1940. After high school, he enlisted with the United States Army and served his country from 1940 until his honorable discharge in October of 1943. He was a Pearl Harbor Survivor and was the recipient of the Bronze Campaign Star and the American Theatre of War Ribbon. After the war, he continued on with his studies and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Boston University, and then attended Ohio State Medical School and received his medical degree in podiatry. He started his own practice in Peabody in 1954 and was a Podiatrist in Peabody for over 40 years, retiring in 1994. He was a member of the American Association of Podiatric Medicine. He also was past commander of the Veteran of Foreign War’s, Post 1011 in Peabody and a life member of the Knights of Columbus, Leo Council 508 in Peabody. He also was a member of the Vittori Rocci Club and the Franco American Club, both in Beverly. Dr. Cena also enjoyed playing golf and was a member at the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club in Beverly and the Meadows Golf Course in Peabody. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by a daughter, Patricia Arnold of Peabody, his grandchildren, Christopher and Jaime Arnold, four great grandchildren, George, Mark, Christopher, and Nasha Arnold. He was the brother of the late Joseph and Felix Cena. His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 9:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody Facility, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM in St. John’s Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. A visitation will be held on Friday from 4 - 8 PM. Burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lynn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to the VFW, 20 Stevens St., Peabody, MA 01960