WEBTER___Thomas D. Cellucci, Jr, 81, passed away peacefully at home in Webster, Ma., having said goodbye to all his loved ones, on March 28, 2009.
He was born to Thomas Celllucci, Sr, and Beatrice Stockwell in Westboro, Ma. on July 7, 1927. He is survived by his wife, Aleda A. Angell, his daughters, Gail Chaffee and her husband Rick Chaffee of Phillipston, Ma., Kathy Trout and her husband Nick Trout of Westboro, Ma., Beth Caulderwood of Brewster, Ma., his sons, Daniel Cellucci and his partner Holly Nelson of North Grafton, Ma., Paul Cellucci and his partner Lenea Pearson of West Boylston, Ma., David Cellucci and his wife Lisa Cellucci of Douglas, Ma., his brother, Barton Cellucci of Pennsylvania; his sister-in-law Tibbey Luisier of Hollywood, Fl., his step-daughter, Julie P. Reyburn and her husband Thor Fields of New York City; 19 grandchildren, 1 step-grandchild, 4 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews in Ma., and Fl., and extended step-family members in Ct., and beloved friends everywhere.
Tom was predeceased by his first wife, Anne F. Chaisson of Worcester, Ma., his sisters, Evelyn Cahill of Hopkinton, Ma., Sunny Cellucci of Westboro; and his brother-in-law Pip Luisier of Hollywood, Fl. Tom grew up in Westboro during the Great Depression spending much of his childhood fishing, hunting in the woods, picking apples at the numerous Westboro apple orchards to help support his family; later working at Bullards Abrasives in Westboro from 1943–1944. He attended Westboro High School and then joined the Navy in 1944 the age of 17. Tom arrived in New York in Oct. 1944 to begin sea duty on the USS Boles (DD755) which was then relocated to the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. He was the senior gunner on a Quad 40 participating in significant military action throughout the Pacific from 1944-45. The USS Boles and crew took part in the liberation of several Pacific islands. The continuing operations to liberate allies from 1945-46 required the USS Boles to dock in Vladivostok, Russia and Singtao, China. Tom was awarded the WW II Victory Medal, American Theatre Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Medal, qualifying for Coxwain. He was honorably discharged in July 1946 as Seaman First Class.
Tom returned to Westboro after traveling around the United States and rebuilt his father’s home while also apprenticing as a carpenter. In 1948 he began his own business as a builder. Tom married and began a family with Anne Chaisson in 1951. Tom coordinated a successful building business along with landscaping which lasted for over 60 years in the greater Worcester area and later on Cape Cod. Although very busy, Tom always found time to take his family on trips to Florida, Vermont and Europe. During an interim period in the 1990’s Tom worked briefly for Osram Sylvania Lighting with his sons and later with his wife, Aleda, traveling throughout the Northeast and Midwest and at the same time vacationing often in Vermont. Tom loved to hunt, although not a trophy hunter, to fish, to hike, to dance, to golf and to watch old 1920’s to 1950’s movies, enjoying these pursuits with all his loved ones throughout his life. During the 1960’s-1970’s Tom participated in many golf tournaments throughout Worcester County. His favorite professional golfer became Tiger Woods.
During the last 9 years of Tom’s life he valiantly met the challenges of temporal arthritis then alzheimer’s disease with his usual irreverent humor and stoicism. Tom charmed everyone around him, beloved by his wife, Aleda, his extended family and their many friends. He was generous to a fault to all his loved ones and to all his business customers. His kindness, honesty, generosity, irreverent sense of humor and great spirit were only enhanced by his enjoyment of life in all his adventures, challenges and accomplishments. He was extremely creative and embodied the work ethic of the “Greatest Generation” throughout his life.
A memorial service celebrating Tom Cellucci’s life will be held on Tuesday April 7, 2009 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St, Worcester, Ma. Following the service there will be a reception at Piccolo’s Restaurant in Worcester. Tom will be interred with full military honors on Friday June 5, 2009 in Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, Ct. The interment will follow a second memorial service at Pequot Chapel, New London, Ct. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Cystic-Fibrosis Foundation, 220 No. Main St, Natick, Ma, The Alzheimers Association, 311 Arsenal St, Watertown, Ma, or to Hospice of Western Massachusetts, 540 Meadow St, Agawam, Ma.