Cecil Bond Jr., retired SEPTA assistant general manager and former bank executive, dies at 87
Cecil Walton Bond Jr., an Army veteran, banking and broadcasting executive, and retired SEPTA assistant general manager, passed away on October 9 at the age of 87.
Born on December 30, 1937, in Chester, Pennsylvania, Bond was the eldest of six sons of the late Cecil Walton Bond Sr. and Frinjela Bond. He graduated from Chester High School in 1955 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in 1961 from Baltimore’s Morgan State University. Attending on a basketball scholarship, Bond captained the men’s basketball team during his college years.
Following graduation, Bond was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Military Police. Over a distinguished nine-and-a-half-year military career, he earned a regular Army commission, received two Army Commendation Medals, and rose to the rank of captain. He was selected for promotion to major shortly before his honorable discharge in January 1970.
After his military service, Bond embarked on a pioneering career in finance by joining Central Penn National Bank in Philadelphia. He advanced his education through the Executive Graduate Management Program at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, and the Stonier School of Banking at Rutgers University. At Central Penn, Bond broke barriers as the bank’s first African American assistant commercial lending officer and rose to vice president. He managed a $40 million loan portfolio and had a $200,000 loan authority, negotiating significant financing agreements for both the City of Philadelphia and the Philadelphia School District.
Bond’s contributions earned him several accolades, including the 1989 Minority Business Advocate Award from the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his efforts to advance opportunities for minority-owned businesses.
He later served as vice president and business manager at Broadcast Enterprises National Inc., then the largest minority-owned broadcasting conglomerate in the U.S. Bond also dedicated 25 years to SEPTA, serving as assistant general manager where he oversaw civil rights, safety, operations, and strategic development.
“Cecil’s life was defined by his dedication to service, leadership, and family,” his family stated in a tribute. “His legacy of perseverance, professionalism, and integrity will continue to inspire those who knew and loved him.”
In his personal life, Bond married Andrea Coverdale Moffitt in June 1963, with whom he had two children: Tracy Bond of Columbus, New Jersey, and Cecil Bond III of Middletown, Delaware. In October 1986, he married Linette Hinson Bond. Together, they had two children, Devon C. Bond of Scottsdale, Arizona, and Denzel R. Bond of Arlington, Virginia. Bond and Linette were active members of St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Williamstown, New Jersey, and Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia. The couple made their home in Marlton, New Jersey.
Bond was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Rodney, Carl, Clyde, and Myron; nephew Rodney Bond; and grandson Cecil W. Bond IV.
He is survived by his wife, Linette; his children Tracy, Cecil (and spouse Chariesse), Devon, and Denzel (and spouse Kaelyn); granddaughters Taylor Bond, Vanessa Ramirez, and Victoria Ramirez; brother Ronald (and spouse Sonja); sisters-in-law Maryanne F. Bond and Paula J. Hinson; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, longtime friends, colleagues, and his special son Bernard Brown.
A service to honor Cecil Walton Bond Jr.’s life will be held on Thursday, October 23, at St. Matthew’s Baptist Church in Williamstown, New Jersey. The viewing will begin at 9 a.m., with the service following at 10 a.m. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Beckett-Brown & Hodges Funeral Home.
Cecil Walton Bond Jr.’s remarkable life of service and leadership leaves a lasting impact on all who knew him. His dedication to breaking barriers and championing equality continues to inspire.
https://www.phillytrib.com/obituaries/cecil-bond-jr-retired-septa-assistant-general-manager-and-former-bank-executive-dies-at-87/article_a6f39cee-b11f-4d9f-b4ac-3bd5cc8df9f8.html
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