Cescon Family Part 3

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.

It has become a tradition for Joe Cescon and his family.

Consumed in his work as a personal injury litigation lawyer, a father of two, husband and still finding opportunities to officiate at an assortment of aquatic events, there is a new ritual of sorts that happens every Saturday morning.

It’s time set aside for the family to swim at Toronto Main Square Community Centre.

“It’s what we do – a family gathering all swim parents welcome,” he said. “There’s something about being in water – a chance for each of us to swim, do laps, meditate, empty the mind, add to physical fitness. It’s a good time for everyone to have some fun.”

Originally from the Waterloo area, Joe Cescon learned to swim not far from his home at the Beechwood Bridle Gate Recreation Centre. That’s where he earned a boatload of badges that his mother somehow found space to sew on to his bathing suit.

Joe Cescon followed his older brothers into the pool at the Region of Waterloo Swim Club (ROW). Success continued while a student athlete at Waterloo Collegiate. Then, it was off to earn university degrees at Dalhousie in Halifax and Western in London, Ont.

He’s the third in line of four brothers – Jon (48), David (46) and Paul (40) are the siblings.

All are swimmers, and to borrow the phrase “pass the baton”, they have shared their experiences in water. In each case, well enough so the benefits of the sport resulted in other members of the family household also taking the plunge.

“Kids are exposed to lots of things – but they also like being in water,” said Joe Cescon, whose family is now affiliated with the CREST Swimming – a club in East York. “Actually, our daughter (10-year-old Amelia) gained interest in swimming after watching her cousin and things took off.”

Not to be outdone by his sister, eight-year-old Elliot is also quite active in club swimming. The family is involved, every summer, in a fun open water competition in various Muskoka lakes.

“Determination, perseverance, good life skills, responsibilities – there’s all of it in swimming and we have found it leads to ancillary benefits,” said Joe Cescon, whose passion for the sport is quite evident. “Not everyone can get up in the early hours of the day, jump into a freezing pool. do a couple of hundred laps - and feel great after that.”

After a long time out of the water, mainly due to time devoted to academic studies, his older brothers persistence paid off and Joe Cescon returned to the pool with the Masters group at a summer swim camp.

“I ran out of excuses,” he said. “Taking the kids to practice, and I realized they are faster swimmers than me now, (it) was beneficial to them. But it also led to me finding an empty lane in the pool rather than sit and watch.”

While Joe Cescon’s goal is to help his clients with their recovery and pursuit of life goals, he’s doing that on a major scale with his family.

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.