Robert H. Celli, Sr. was BOI July 28, 1923 to Frank and Dovie Celli. Life on Galveston Island was idyllic; it was Robert’s playground. He loved to roller skate and ride his bike from shore to shore. At night, the waves and sea breeze would lull Robert to sleep at the family home on the seawall. The family business, C&C Wholesale Grocers provided employment for Robert, his brother and sisters. As a teenager he helped make deliveries in a wood paneled truck. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.
Robert Celli graduated from Allen Military Academy in Bryan and attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and The University of Texas at Austin. Before his entry into active service with the Army Intelligence Corp during World War II, he wed his high school sweetheart, Clementine Mongan. The couple was married 62 years.
When the veteran returned to Galveston, he began working as an independent salesman for Warren Refrigeration Co. He was promoted to district manager of the company’s Houston office in 1952, became vice president of the corporate office in Beaumont in 1955, and was named president of Warren Refrigeration Co. in 1979. He served as president of the National Commercial Refrigeration Sales Association and was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club of Beaumont, the Masons fraternal organization and Shriners’ fraternity.
Robert Sr. was very proud that his three sons worked with him in the commercial refrigeration business. He was also very determined that all of his children and grandchildren would earn college degrees. In May of 2009, his wish will be fulfilled.
Robert will be lovingly remembered for his great wit, famous July 4th celebrations for family and friends, and for his devotion to our four-legged friends, especially cats and kittens of any variety. Many of his years were spent providing sanctuary for one, two or three very lucky felines.
Robert H. Celli, Sr. died September 11, 2008, around 7:30 a.m., almost to the hour of his marriage to Clementine 66 years ago. Robert was preceded in death by his wife on January 24, 2005; by his parents, by his brother Frank Celli and sister Julia Vaiani.
He is survived by his sons; Bobby Celli and wife Sara, Dan Celli, Gary Celli and wife Terri; daughter, Melody Celli Fulgham and husband Greg; grandchildren, Tiffany Celli and husband Max, Christy O'Bryant and husband Matt, Melissa Celli, Megan Celli, Frank Celli, William Celli, Michael Celli, Keith Fulgham and wife Julie; great grandchildren, Riley O’Bryant and Paige Fulgham; sisters, Maydell Trimarchi and husband Arthur and Joyce Hubbell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 27 at Broussard’s Mortuary, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont with the Reverend Nancy DeForest officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be from 1:00 p.m. until service time at the mortuary. Frank Celli, William Celli, Michael Celli, Keith Fulgham, Brett Vickers and Mike McDaniel will serve as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Beaumont Regional Office, 780 South Fourth Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P.O. Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704 or to a charity of your choice.
