Obituary of Emily D. Cicale

Emily Cox Cicale died peacefully on Thursday August 1st surrounded by her loving family and childhood friends. Emily was not for the faint of heart and everything she did, she did with passion. She was a fierce human being with a wicked sense of humor and an animated storyteller.  She was a genuine animal lover, loyal friend, and dedicated career woman who always put her family first. Emily was strong, focused, intelligent, fearless and unapologetically herself.  

Emily grew up in Fairfield and maintained lifelong, cherished friendships.  She earned a master’s degree in Sports Orthopedics from the University of Pittsburgh.  Soon after, she returned to Fairfield, but remained a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and married her childhood sweetheart, Sal Cicale.  Sal and Emily started an incredible journey together in a small apartment that frequently flooded near Fairfield beach.  A couple years later, they bought a home on the other side of town and started a family.  In 2003, Emily began teaching for the Bridgeport Public Schools and dedicated many hours outside the classroom to her students.  She ran food drives, clothing drives and even candy drives at Halloween so all the kids could enjoy the holiday.   Her work colleagues became friends, and her friends became family who knew they could always count on her loyalty and support.  

When Emily wasn’t teaching or volunteering, you could frequently find her helping her son, Jake, with his firewood business.  Emily single-handedly split over 300 cords of wood!Impressive as that is, she still found time to go skydiving, attend music concerts and sporting events, ride her motorcycle, and become a Fairfield Parks and Rec softball team champion! She was also quick to come to the rescue of her sons, nieces, and nephews if they ever needed her. All it took to convince her was a simple phone call…even if it meant an impromptu drive up to Syracuse. 

The biggest source of joy in Emily’s life was her family.  She was a dedicated and loving wife to her husband, Sal, for 29 years and as a mom, Emily was all in!  Her two boys, Nick and Jake, cherish the countless, crazy fun adventures they had together. There is no doubt they will forever feel the intensity of her love and devotion to them.  During her heroic battle with cancer, Emily never spent a moment alone, which is a testament to the love and dedication her family and friends felt for her.  To quote Emily’s niece, Caroline, “We lost my amazing Aunt Emily to a short but valiant battle with brain cancer.  Emily was the matriarch of our extended family, the instigator of every party, and it’s hard to imagine future family milestones without her here.  She was incredibly funny. She kept things light except when it came to her unwavering loyalty to the people she loved and to all creatures great and small, which led her to take in an insane amount of strays. Emily was a dedicated teacher to her students in and out of the classroom.  I learned a ton from her too and I am grateful. When I said goodbye to her, she was surrounded by her husband of nearly 30 years , her two sons that were everything to her, and her lifelong best girlfriends, so I know she left in peace. Along with so many other people I will love and miss her forever.”

Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, August 11th, from 10 to 1 p.m. at the Lesko Funeral Home, 1209 Post Road, Fairfield Center. There will be a 12:30 p.m. prayer service for Emily. For travel directions or to sign her online guest register, please visit www.LeskoFuneralHome.com.