Obituary of Michael Robert Celata

Michael “Bob” Celata, beloved husband of the late Joan Celata, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2022. Michael was born in Medford, MA in 1928 to his parents Antonio Celata and Mildred (Annacone) Celata and had to grow up fast. When he was only 15, Bob enlisted voluntarily in the US Navy during WWII. During his service, Bob served on an oil tanker, servicing the Suez Canal and Egypt. After the war ended in 1945, Bob returned home.

Bob made a career using knowledge from his time with the Navy, and with experience from the Somerville Trade School to become an auto mechanic. Bob spent over forty years in the auto industry, most notably with McNutt Brothers Garage in Somerville. While working in Somerville, Bob met and married Joan. The two lived in Somerville until they relocated to their forever home in Burlington in 1963. Bob continued to work with McNutt Brothers Garage until they closed in 1985. After they closed, Bob found other work as an auto mechanic until retiring in 1992.

Bob and Joan made a wonderful life together. Following their wedding in 1957, the two drove down to Miami in Bob’s new 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Convertible. Bob always had a passion for cars, and spent time racing car a Triumph TR3 in Salisbury. He competed in Time Trials there, and there were no guard rails to keep you on the course, only cones, so he had to be an expert to navigate the turns.

Bob and Joan built a life centered around family, but made sure to save room for fun. They loved to go boating together. They proudly named their last boat “Yvonne”. Bob and Joan spent time from January 1^st to the end of March every year in St. Augustine, Florida. His family said that his love language was through a hat. Bob never left the house without one. He also prided himself on still being able to fit in his wedding suit, and vowed he’d still be able to fit in it when he passed so that he could be buried in it, and he kept his word.

Michael “Bob” Celata was the beloved husband of 65 years of Joan Celata.  He was the loving father of Michael Celata & his wife Carol LeBlanc-Celata of Tewksbury and Yvonne Celata & her fiancée, Brian Ducharme of Manchester, NH.  He was the dear grandfather of Patric Celata and Ryan Celata both of West Palm Beach, Florida, Scotia Corley of Tewksbury, and Isabel Celata of Tewksbury. Bob was the beloved brother of his two late siblings, James Celata and Dolly Aloisi.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Saturday, October 8, from 10:30 am to 12:30pm. A funeral service will be celebrated at 12:30 pm following the visitation at the funeral home. Services will conclude with a burial in Pine Haven Cemetery in Burlington where military honors in recognition of Michael’s service will be held. Relatives and friends are respectively invited.

Memorials, in Michael’s name, may be made to the Little Sisters of the Poor, 186 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143 or www.littlesistersofthepoorboston.org.