It’s not often that someone working overseas leaves such a local impression, but then Joe DeCesare isn’t just any guy.
The 86-year-old Cayman Airways station manager at Tampa International Airport is retiring after 55 years of work in the facility, with 36 of them spent in the employ of Sir Turtle and his crew. Many a local traveller got to know him over the years, when he became a fixture at the airline’s desk.
According to a story on the airport’s website recognising DeCesare’s contribution, he “holds a special record for longest tenure at TPA, even longer than the 1971-built facility itself”.
Cayman Airways CEO Fabian Whorms flew to Tampa to host a retirement celebration for the long-time employee, and to thank him for his service.
When the story was posted on social media, several Cayman Airways customers expressed their appreciation for DeCesare.
“He [is] the best of the best, a lovely gentleman,” Julie Campbell said, with Jocelyn Glebas DaCosta adding, “Always loved seeing him.”
Marva Bodden Reid said, “Congratulations Uncle Joe. Thank for always making your customers feel special. We [love] you and will miss you.”
In the online story, DeCesare spoke about getting to know many passengers from Cayman over the years, saying, “There’s probably over 300 or 400 of them that have my personal phone number, and they call me the day before they’re leaving to let me know they’re coming.”
DeCesare’s final official work day will be at the end of June, but he said he still planned to visit the airport and would now have the time to visit his friends in the Cayman Islands.
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