Mourners bid emotional farewell to Edeedson Ciné Jr., young CVS worker killed on Christmas Day

More than 200 relatives and community members filled the pews of a Dix Hills church Friday to say farewell to Edeedson "Joshy" Ciné Jr., the young man killed on Christmas Day while covering a co-worker's shift at a Lindenhurst CVS.

Family members sobbed as Ciné's coffin was closed at the start of the three-hour service, held at Emmanuel French Seventh-day Adventist Church. Cousins, friends and siblings sang songs and paid tribute to the 23-year-old West Babylon resident, who was remembered fondly for his stylish clothes and bright smile, his loyalty toward friends and family and for being wise beyond his years.

"Our hearts are heavy," Pastor Gregory Nelson told those assembled. "We carry shock, anger, confusion, sorrow and questions for which we have no answers, but we're simultaneously reminded of the stunning life that he lived."

Ciné was working behind the counter of the CVS on Montauk Highway shortly before 7 p.m. Christmas when police say John Pilaccio, 43, of Lindenhurst, lunged at him, stabbing the young man in the chest and head.

Prosecutors have said Pilaccio had an outstanding $25,000 credit card debt and that he confessed to the killing. He pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of first- and second-degree murder and is being held without bail.

Ciné's aunt, Schebania Ciné, said Friday that her nephew was generous and had a gift of seeing the good in people. He was always looking for the positive, she said, even when life was hard.

"On Christmas Day, while many were home with family, he chose to help someone else by covering a shift at work. That single act says everything about who he was — selfless, dependable and caring," she said. "He had a generous heart that knew no limits, and that's exactly who he was until his very last moment, selfless to his core. He died the way he lived, protecting others, doing what was right and being brave when it mattered most."

Ciné, the youngest child in his family, graduated from North Babylon High School in 2020. He had enrolled at Nassau Community College and then Hunter Business School, where he completed the computer technician program.

Those who knew him said at just 23, he carried himself with a stubborn but mature presence.

Clergy and family said Ciné was a devoted member of the church and always looked out for others, including his older brother and sisters and his aunts and uncles. Church leaders said his tragic death had captured the attention of the community but vowed not to let it define his life.

Mourning lost opportunities, and final goodbyes

Earlier this week, Ciné’s family said his father had given one last haircut to his son — a ritual the pair had often shared in life.

Ciné’s grandfather delivered a tribute at his funeral service and his family was given a flag by the church. Ciné's coffin, draped in roses, was then led out of the church in a drum line procession.

During the service, his family mourned the lost opportunities to catch up one more time but said they were grateful that, in their final memories with him, they had told him they loved him.

His brother Jonathan said at times, he forgot that Ciné was his little brother, as the young man would often cook him meals and wait up for him at night. Ciné’s brother and his sister, Edelyne, spoke of going from accompanying him to the bus stop to deep conversations about life and what he wanted to accomplish.

"The crazy part is I really believed I could negotiate even with God, if it meant keeping my brother and all of my siblings," Edelyne Ciné said. "My brother was a force — strong, loving, protective, curious, deeply alive, and even in this, that hasn't changed."

She continued, "I'm grateful that I got to be his sister. I'm grateful that I got to know him as a both a boy and a man, and I'm grateful that when God looks at him ... he sees his life abundantly and the story that he continues. And until I see him again, I will carry that with me."