John K. Cilley ’28

JOHN CILLEY DIED of pneumonia Feb. 28, 1994, in the White Plains Hospital Center. His father, an orthopedic surgeon, was Arthur H. '03, and his son Arthur B. '70 comprised a family Princeton dynasty. John prepared at Buckley School in New York and at Exeter. At Princeton, he majored in modern languages, was active in Triangle Club, and was a member of Court Club. He went on to earn his master's degree in business at Columbia in 1933.

John was an investment adviser until 1942, when he joined the army air force. He worked at the Pentagon and served overseas (including in London, when enemy shells were falling, with the Strategic Bombing Survey). He was promoted to the rank of major in the Office of Strategic Services.

In 1948, John was named treasurer of the Dragon Cement Co. From 1962 until his retirement in 1974, he was treasurer and comptroller of I.D.I. Electronics in Armonk. He worked for various firms after his retirement, ending with the Hitchcock Presbyterian Church of Scarsdale in 1986.

John married Ruth Borden on June 14, 1947. He is survived by her; two sons, Arthur and John Jr.; and three grandchildren.

John was always interested in Princeton and attended our 50th reunion. We remember him as an unusually polite and congenial friend. The class’s sympathy is with Ruth and their family.