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Paul LaCelle Obituary
Rochester: Paul Louis LaCelle, born on July 4, 1929 passed away on March 9, 2012 in Rochester. He is predeceased by his wife, June Dukeshire LaCelle and survived by siblings (Mary and Ron Kinnetz, James and Dottie LaCelle, John and Eleanor LaCelle and Esther Pitzrick) and also his children (Andrea and Charles Redfern, Peter and Kim LaCelle, Kristina and Mark LaCelle-Peterson, Erik LaCelle) and five grandchildren (Caleb, Melissa, Dieter, Nathaniel and Linnea).
Paul LaCelle married June Dukeshire in 1953 and served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He attended the University of Rochester School of Medicine, and joined the faculty there in the Department of Radiation Biology and Biophysics, after completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Penn State University. He remained at the School of Medicine for the duration of his career, where he pursued research, taught in the Medical School and served in administrative roles including chair of the Biophysics department and most recently as Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. He retired from the Medical School in 2008 and continued his relationship with the University of Rochester in the Biomedical Engineering Department as his health allowed.
Friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Keenan Funeral Home (7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd. in Egypt) and to the Memorial service Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Penfield Wesleyan Church (1580 Five Mile Line Rd). Charitable donations can be made to Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paul LaCelle
March 17, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We have so many memories of your dad. Especially how as a local church board member in Gates he knew exactly the right time to speak and the right time to be quiet. His gentle quiet words were well respected by others. He could diffuse differences with profound, but humorous responses to which no one knew how to respond. One story that we heard about was when others on the board were concerned that I (Jerry) was pretty young at 27 to take on a church like Gates. Doc Paul said "one thing is for sure - he will get older". May your memories give you comfort in the days ahead.
Jerry & Jan Wright
Carl & Jean Thomas
March 17, 2012
Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family. May your memories bring you comfort.
Bill Dwyer
March 17, 2012
Pete, Andrea, Kristina and Erik,
I'm saddened to hear of your Dad's passing. He was a kind and generous man. He always welcomed us in his house, despite the noise we sometimes made and emptying his refrigerator for him. I hope the lifetime of good memories comfort you when you think of him.
Elise de Papp
March 15, 2012
My deepest sympathy to Paul's family, from an old med school classmate
Shu Chien
March 15, 2012
I am very saddened to receive the message that my dear friend Paul had passed away. He will be sorely missed.
Paul was a superb scientist, a great leader, and a marvelous human being. I am very fortunate to have known him for more than 40 years. I learned a great deal from him about scientific research on blood cell deformability and other matters and the gentle, thoughtful, and effective way he handled even the most difficult situations.
The last time I was with him was when he came all the way to La Jolla to celebrate my 70th Birthday and gave a wonderful message of celebration, which I will always treasure, together with our other enjoyable times together at scientific and social events.
I wish to express my most sincere sympathy to Paul's family.
Dave and Pam Wilson
March 15, 2012
Saw this on Chuck's Facebook and was so shocked. Grieving. He was one of our most faithful supporters.
)udith Anne Heagney-O'Hara
March 15, 2012
The LaCelle Family,
I came to know Paul LaCelle while working in the Associate Dean's Office for the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester from 1975-1980. Such loyalty and dedication he held for the University of Rochester in his career...
A sadness hovers as his passing is signifcant of an 'era' from when I knew him, 'gone by'.
I recall the respoect I had for Paul LaCelle and of course a joy to deal with while in the Associate Dean's Office. A very nice gentleman!
A loss I am sure the University of Rochester will come to realize as time moves on, of a great measure.
My Condolences and Sympathy of Paul's passing to all his loved ones.
)udy Heagney-O'Hara
Associate Dean's Office
School of Medicine and Dentistry
1975-1980
University of Rochester
Rochester, New York 14642
Joanne McMullen-Ackerman
March 14, 2012
Andrea -
Sorry to hear about your father's passing. May you memories of him bring you peace in these times of sorrow.
Steve Dewhurst
March 14, 2012
Paul was a wonderful, thoughtful, caring person and somebody I very much admired. He was a reliable source of good sense, a strong and consistent advocate for students (as Dean), and a very supportive person who helped me many times over the years.
Denise Forster
March 13, 2012
Dear LaCelle family,
As your parents' neighbors for 19 years we can't say we knew your father well. We know from our observances and casual conversations that Paul was a kind, caring person. Your family's devotion and care for Paul was wonderful. Our little street won't be the same without him and the Porsches!
Please accept our condolences.
Denise and Bill Forster
Barry Goldstein
March 13, 2012
Paul LaCelle was my Department Chair for many years. He was a gentleman of a type rare even for the time, and just about extinct now in the academy. Later, as Dean, he handled a difficult job with grace and humor. He will be missed. My thoughts go out to his family.
Ben Miller
March 13, 2012
I am deeply sorry to hear of Dr. LaCelle's passing. He was infallibly kind, and a steady hand as Dean.
Maureen Terena
March 13, 2012
I am shocked and terribly saddened to hear of Paul's passing. He was truly a wonderful man. It was a privilege to have known him.
Christine (Koster) DeMay
March 13, 2012
Andrea, Peter, Kristina, Eric - saddened by the news of your fathers passing, I have fond memories of your father and time spent with your family. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Liam Casey
March 13, 2012
I was nervous before meeting Dr. LaCelle when he was Dean of Grad Studies but his kindness and sincerity quickly dispelled those fears. One word that comes to mind is admirable. My condolences to his family.
June Hubatsek
March 13, 2012
Dear Andrea, Kristina,Peter and Eic,
I am sorry to here about your father's death. I don't know if you remember me or not. My name is June Hubatsek and we used to live next door to you on Andy Lane. Your Mom and I wer good friends and I still miss her. We always kept in touch.
I'm sure you remember Julie and Mark. I remember all the fun you used to have together.
God bless you all.
June Hubatsek
Mike Terry
March 13, 2012
I am so sorry to hear of Dr. LaCelle's passing. He was a great scientist and administrator. He will be missed.
Bob and Joan Kurtz
March 13, 2012
Andrea, Kristina, Peter and Eric,
Our deepest sympathies are extended to each of you and your loved ones. We always had such a deep respect for your Dad...he will be so missed. Our prayers are with you.
Bob and Joan Kurtz
lisa delouise
March 13, 2012
Hi Peter and Kim,
so sorry to hear this sad news. Your dad will be missed. I hope all is well. We miss you here.
lisa delouise
Greg & Nancy Kinnetz
March 13, 2012
Dear Andrea, Peter, Kristina, Erik and Families:
We are so saddened by Uncle Paul's passing. He was such a kind and gentle soul - someone we always looked forward to talking with at the 4th of July reunions. We always appreciated his soft spoken and kindly words of advice.
Some of our favorite memories come from the celebration of his and Mary's 80th birthday. It was so special to have the twins able to celebrate 80 years of life with their families. While we knew he didn't love all the attention, the memory of his smile and humor that day will remain forever with us.
With love~
Greg, Nancy, Michaela & Emma
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