Cescon Family Part 2

Swimming runs deeper when it runs through family. In our next four stories, for four brothers who first carved their strokes into Ontario pools decades ago, the water has never let them go. What began as youthful ambition—early mornings, endless laps, and the pursuit of personal bests—has become a legacy that now stretches across generations.

Today, their families remain tied to the sport: children who dive into the same lanes, spouses who cheer from the stands, and siblings who still share the rhythm of the water. The brothers’ story is not just about competition, but about connection—how swimming became the thread that wove their lives together, and how it continues to shape the futures of those who follow.

Across Swim Ontario, their journey reminds us that every lane carries history, and every family carries the promise of tomorrow. Stroke for stroke, their legacy proves that swimming is stronger when it’s shared. If you have a family in your club that their swimming story is worth sharing please send to info@swimontario.com.

Everyone likes some form of inspiration.

It can often occur with a few words, a gesture of sorts, various forms of encouragement or even while involved in a straightforward activity that can easily transform the life of a person or family.

Let’s look at swimming as the venture. One person who knows about the benefits of the intriguing world of that sport has also spent a fair bit of his time both in and out of the pool.

His name is David Cescon. In his professional life, it’s Dr. David Cescon.

If the name sounds familiar, he was the Chief Medical Officer for the 2025 World Cup held at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC). He was also cheering on his 16-year-old son, Benjamin, as he raced among an international field of Olympians and record holders.

Some know this extremely bright 46-year-old, married to Sarah, as the father of three boys: Ben, Lucas and Owen.

Just like their parents, the siblings are also swimmers. Ben is already committed to pursuing post-secondary studies and swimming at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Fall of 2026. These days, the trio are training, along with several of their cousins, at Crest Swimming – an aquatic club in Toronto.

Others have seen David Cescon at poolside as a Level 3 official. He’s also the same person who learned to swim at his former hometown community pool in Waterloo and, back then, earned his first racing ribbon as a member of the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW) at the age of four.

Away from the water, people know David Cescon as the medical Oncologist and Clinician Scientist at Toronto’s Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. That’s where his clinical practice is devoted to the care of patients with breast cancer.

David Cescon has come a long way since his early days of swim lessons and the unique sensation of weightlessness in water. He admits his greatest achievements in the sport may have occurred at the age of 10.

His competitive thrust in the sport continued at the provincial level while at the University of Waterloo. Later, during his extended studies at the University of Toronto, the focus turned to water polo.

“Swimming creates habits, fitness, and connections for life, helps build confidence and self-esteem,” connections for life, helps build confidence and self-esteem,” said David Cescon, who is the second oldest with brothers Jon (48), Joe (43) and Paul (40) rounding out a foursome that could make for an interesting relay team.

They all grew up with a fondness for swimming - and now it continues throughout their families.

As for a personal intriguing experience relating to his time as a competitive swimmer, David Cescon has an answer that may surprise people.

“(Swimming) is not an easy sport and for me, it was being part of a team and the opportunity to work hard as part of a shared experience,” he said, while confirming he still, when time permits, fins time to swim. “The skills learned in competitive swimming translate far beyond water. It fosters maturity, responsibility, determination to excel, and the resilience to overcome obstacles.

“Success is exciting, but having been a competitive swimmer has shaped the person I am today and it’s gratifying to see our kids – who are better swimmers than me – doing so well.”

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.