John "Poppy, Pop" Celani

GREENWICH John "Poppy, Pop" Celani, 91, beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, died peacefully in his sleep at his Academy Street home Tuesday morning, June 10, 2008. John was born Aug. 16, 1916, in Monossen, Pa. He was the first of six children to Filomena (Pandolfi) Celani. Born into a poor immigrant family, he had to overcome great obstacles to achieve his many accomplishments. John was a decorated fighter pilot during World War II, flying with the elite "Flying Tigers" over southeast Asia. After the war he married his late wife, Doris Crosby in 1945. They moved to Boston, Mass., where John attended Harvard and received his B.A. degree in sociology. Their first child, Rachel, was born in 1947 and the family moved to Nyack, N.Y. while John attended the New School for Social Research. Their second child, Candace was born in 1953. In 1955, John accepted an administrative position with the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene in Albany and the family relocated to Schenectady and Niskayuna, N.Y. He rose through the ranks of the state quickly, eventually becoming an assistant to the commissioner. Later in his career he transferred to the Department of Environmental Conservation from which he retired in 1981. He spent his retirement years living at 1581 Clifton Park Road in Niskayuna. He moved in the summer of 2007, to Greenwich, N.Y. to be close to his family. John's hobbies included playing tennis, and he was an ace on the courts in Central Park in Schenectady. He also enjoyed gardening and reading at his home. He was a lifelong jazz aficionado, especially Benny Goodman, and he also played the trumpet. He was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, and was known for his signature Cubs baseball hat. The greatest joy he had in his life was spending time with his five grandchildren and great-granddaughter. He was a fixture at their sporting events and various functions throughout his life and enjoyed taking many pictures of them. He made many sacrifices so they could have a better life and was a wonderful role model that will have a place in their hearts forever. Pop is survived by his daughters, Rachel Crosby of Harwich Port, Mass. and Candace Celani of Dorset, Vt.; five grandchildren: Theo Celani and his companion, Shannon DeGregory, of Middle Falls, Nick Vooris and his companion, Cheyenne Bain, and Nick's daughter, Kali Nolin Vooris of Greenwich, Dan Vooris of Middle Falls, Alaina Vooris O'Brien and her husband, Dave, of Ballston Spa, and Grace Insogna of Dorset, Vt. Pop wanted no funeral services on his behalf. Instead in his memory, please give away "random acts of kindness" with a zing (Pop style!) Arrangements are under the direction of Flynn Bros. Inc. Funeral Home, 80 Main St., Greenwich. Online remembrances can be made at www.flynn brosinc.com.