Edeedson Cine Jr., slain Lindenhurst CVS clerk, mourned, honored at candlelight vigil

Edeedson Cine Jr. lived life "with a strong sense of right and wrong" and "deep convictions," from the time he was a child to his final moments alive spent covering the Christmas Day shift at a Lindenhurst CVS for a co-worker.

Even as a young boy, "he would not let us tie his shoes because he wanted to do it himself," his father, Edeedson Cine Sr., said Monday night at a vigil for the 23-year-old from West Babylon.

About 200 community members, elected officials among them, lit candles and cellphone flashlights at the Lindenhurst Village Square vigil for the younger Cine, who Suffolk police said was fatally stabbed about 6:50 p.m. Thursday on Christmas while working behind the counter of the CVS on Montauk Highway.

On Friday, Suffolk police arrested and charged John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, with second-degree murder for allegedly killing Cine Jr., Newsday previously reported.

At the vigil, Cine Jr. was described by his father and others as selfless and dependable. The fatal stabbing of his son, Cine Sr. said, was a "senseless death" and remains "deep, overwhelming and ever present."

"He had a way of showing up for people that left a lasting impression," the elder Cine said. "It was very hard to scold my other children when he was around because he would stand up and say, ‘Dad, why?’ ”

Pilaccio pleaded not guilty Saturday before acting County Court Judge John Kelly at First District Court in Central Islip. In a telephone interview later that evening with Newsday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney declined to discuss a possible motive for the attack.

Pilaccio is scheduled to return to court on Wednesday. Steve Fondulis, listed as Pilaccio’s court-appointed defense attorney in court records, did not return Newsday’s request for comment on Monday.

"No parent expects to outlive their child," Cine Sr. said. "We are grieving not only who he was, but also that he had yet to become."

Although Gina Catania Leto knew Cine Jr. only as a "polite" and "handsome" presence at her local pharmacy, she said it was important for her community to gather and honor the young man who "filled in for somebody on Christmas."

"I never want him to be forgotten and he shouldn’t be," Catania Leto told the crowd of mourners gathered Monday evening. "And I want his family to know that they gained a community of people that love them, and if there’s anything that you need from us, we are here for you."

Among the elected and public officials in attendance Monday evening were Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer, Lindenhurst Mayor Michael Lavorata and Suffolk Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina.

"It tears at your heart to see a 23-year-old man go to work on Christmas," Catalina said Monday. "I want to offer my apologies ... If it’s any consolation, the monster that did this is going to spend the rest of his life in prison."