We regretfully announce the passing of Cecil Franklin Sweeney, age 81, of Sterling, Virginia on July 23, 2022. Cecil was born on August 31, 1940 in Camden, South Carolina. As a teenager, he enjoyed working with his stepfather to train thoroughbred race horses. Cecil graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. In 1963, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed overseas at Camp Zama near Tokyo, Japan until 1969. There, he met the love of his life and his future wife, Yuko Abe. The two married in Tokyo in August 1967. Cecil and Yuko moved to the U.S. and lived in Woodbridge and Springfield, Virginia.

Cecil worked as a salesman for Dun & Bradstreet, and was an avid fan of local sports teams. He loved to read and subscribed to all local newspapers. He enjoyed sharing his sense of humor and love of history with family and friends.

Cecil was predeceased by his wife Yuko. He is survived by his sons Dan (Shannon) and Alex (Kara), and his granddaughters Ashlyn and Dylan. He is also survived by sisters Sandra Britton and Harriet Diaz, brothers Tommy and Robby Sweeney, and numerous nieces and nephews in the U.S. and Japan.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Japanese Americans' Care Fund, an organization that Cecil's late wife supported.