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Family-Placed Death Notice
CELLUCCI, Willy WILLY CELLUCCI Willy Cellucci, 57, of Atlanta, passed away on Sunday evening, February 17, 2013 surrounded by his wife and children. He was born in Los Angeles and grew up there and in the north east. He attended the American College in Paris and George Washington University. While living in Washington, DC, he began a 35 year career in the restaurant business working for some of the nation's best restaurants. He was a "natural" in the hospitality business; never meeting a stranger and never forgetting a golf hole. He came to Atlanta in 1995 to open and manage the Palm Restaurant. He and his family, his wife Jonelle and their two sons Daniel and Jack fell in love with Atlanta and made it their home. He is preceded in death by his parents Sophie and Dan Cellucci and his sister LuLu DeVeer. Willy is survived by his wife and two sons, his sister Constance Borde and a large and loving group of family and friends. In lieu of flowers please make donations to: www.mdanderson.org/gifts/. Memorial services will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2013 from 2-4 PM at The East Lake Golf Club, 2575 Alston Drive, SE, Atlanta, GA 30317.
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What a man what a man what a mighty good man!!!
He is free now..will definitely miss his laugh and democratic spirit..cheers to you willy boy...xo kat and mary martin sf
May 8, 2013
March 1, 2013
My sincerest condolences to the Cellucci Family. I've had the privilage of working with Willy for many years - so kind, funny, warm-hearted and his zest for life and his family. An amazing restaurateur. To pick up the phone and hear that voice on the other end just made my day. I am a better person for having known you Willy and will miss you dearly. Rest in peace.
Maria Tiarks
February 25, 2013
Jonelle so sorry I was not able to be there yesrerday with you Daniel and Jack. Willy and your family have been such special friends for so long. There is no one I have ever been more fond of than Willy. He was the most fun,generous and unique guy. I am so happy I was able to spend time with at the golf tournament and will always be such a special memory. All my best and Love. Alan Bubes
February 25, 2013
Jonelle - to this day, I have had few moments as memorable as drinking wine & champagne with you, Willy, Jeff and Karen in Aspen at the Hotel Jerome. May God bless you and your family...Willy touched so many hearts and inspired so many in hospitality!
Ken Free
February 25, 2013
Willy always made me smile. His stories were remarkable and his dynamic personality blanketed huge areas. Very sorry for the family's loss
Kevin Weinert
February 25, 2013
My deepest sympathy on the passing of your loved one.
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away". May you remember all the wonderful moments you've shared together.
C Johnson
February 22, 2013
Jonelle, Danny, and Jack- I am so sorry for your loss of Willie. I admired his hard fight against his cancer, but mainly will remember his huge generosity in opening up the Palm restaurant to the Montgomery families for a special treat with Santa. What a special memory for us! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all....
Karen Mills
February 22, 2013
A true caring human being-somone who really could make a diference in your life- will truly be missed
Jim Ries
February 22, 2013
I met Willy about three years ago after asking one of his son's if he knew Dan Cellucci. Hearing this the son ran to the driving range to tell his dad I worked with his dad at S&H Green Stamps, He was very surprised I knew Dan and willy's mother Sophia. We were friends from that day on and you and your family have my sincerest condolences.
S Weir
February 22, 2013
What a class act! The Palm was where MJ and I celebrated all of our important days. Willy figured prominently in those decisions. His hospitality lit the place up. Pinky's, Perfidio and perfect ambience were his forte. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. What a privilege to have known Willy. Our prayers and condolences to the Cellucci's.
Jeff and MJ Kinzey
February 21, 2013
Dear Jonelle,
I am so sorry to hear of Willy's passing. I know it has been too long since I saw you, Willy and the kids. Bill Carter called me yesterday to let me know of this very sad news. My heart goes out to you and the family. Sincere condolences,
Kathleen LaMarre
February 21, 2013
I don't have many words except I will miss you dearly old friend. I will never ever forget the day after the LA earthquake, Willy and I compared restaurant damage and he won. Then we sat in Morton's wine room, glass and wine all over the floor, eating pizza and drinking what was left of a nice boreaux that Willy strained through a coffee filter. No story ever excluded Jo, Danny or Jack. No man ever loved his family more. Move over St. Peter...Willy's running the Pearly Gates now! I love you and miss man! Ron
Ron Hardy
February 21, 2013
We will remember your warmth, wit and genuine hospitality. Your love of family; Jonelle, Danny, Jack as well as your Palm family. How your presence filled the room with love and laughter. You will be terribly missed.
Brian and Kelly McCardle
February 21, 2013
A GREAT person. You will be missed
D D
February 21, 2013
THE ANGELS ARE PROBABLY ALL YELLING "FORE" I REMEMBER VERY CLEARLY YOUR TIME SPENT WITH ME ON YOUR "BREAKS" NEXT DOOR AT MORTON,S FOR ABOUT 5/6 YEARS WE JOKED. I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU & MISS YOU WILLY. GOD BLESS YOU.
PAUL DION
February 21, 2013
this was man who had a true zeal for life I am so grateful to have known him, but will now regret not spending more time with him. god bless you Willy.
Steve Horn
February 21, 2013
Willy- you will never be forgotten. Please block some tee times up there. See you soon pal. C.Perks
Carter Perks
February 21, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
EG
February 20, 2013
To the family, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Willy had such a gift and to watch him "in his element" at The Palm was something special. I am a better person for knowing and working with him. His laughter was infectious and you could always count on Willy to work in a game of golf around any work event!
Beth Kilpatrick
February 20, 2013
willy was and still is the very best person i've been lucky enough to know and laugh with in my life.
love you WILLY
denny hill
February 20, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
S.Griggs
February 20, 2013
I was lucky enough to have known Willy and Jonelle while they lived in Washington DC.
Willy buddy you will be gratly missed.
Dusan Bogomirovic
February 20, 2013
Willy,
You will be missed.
Dusan Bogomirovic
February 20, 2013
Sending loads of healing prayers for Willy's friends and family. Truly one of the best men God created!
Vanessa Adams
February 20, 2013
First, my deepest condolences to Jonelle, Danny and Jack. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss.
I am one of the many fortunate people that had the opportunity to work with Willy, and to have him as a mentor, and a friend. Willy was such a big part of my life when I was young and learning what truly is important in this world. I cherished our friendship, and our time working together was unbelievably special to me.
Willy had the unique ability to stop and smell the roses, whether it was on a golf course, playing wiffleball or listening to Show Tunes. I remember one time we went to a Dodgers game, and Willy stepped out from under the stadium into the open to see the field for the first time that day. He had of course been there a hundred times, but still yet, he stopped for a moment to take it in, and made sure I did as well. He was so enthusiastic it made the moment, and I can still feel it 20 years later. He had the wonderment of a child at the smallest things, and could make a trip to a sandwich shop meainingful. Willy always had a smile and a laugh ready when he saw you, and would start his handshakes from 10 feet away. You couldn't help but feel good in his presence. And the stories....you never wanted him to stop telling them.
I, like so many others, am deeply saddened by the loss of the great Willy Cellucci. The world was a better place because you were in it.
R.I.P. Will. We will all miss you.
Ray Risley
February 20, 2013
I was friends with Willy as well starting in the '70s, in Paris, Boston and New York. He shared my apartment one summer in Boston. Willy truly was an unforgettable person. Although we lost contact, whenever the Paris group got together the invariable "Willy stories" would come out. Willy truly did seem larger than life. My heartfelt condolences to Jonelle, Daniel and Jack.
Ronco Liem
February 20, 2013
Willy created wonderful memories to all of us that were there from the beginning of the Atlanta Palm! We all enjoyed his welcoming spirit. He will be missed. May good memories bring comfort to you at this time and be in your hearts forever.
Martha Jo Katz
February 20, 2013
You will be greatly missed. Thanks for the great years of memories. I will truly cherish them.
God Bless
David Spinogatti
February 20, 2013
An incredible man, and possibly the greatest restaurateur in America. Inspiring, powerful, and very funny! We will all miss you, but never forget you, buddy!!
Jonathan Mitchell
February 20, 2013
I befriended Willy in Paris from 1973-75 and then in Boston and New York several years later. We were best buds, and although we didn't always agree or stay in touch in later years, the smiling face in this photo is exactly how I remember him, full of life and a lot of mischief. He opened my eyes to life, stretching limits, bein resourceful, and, above all, his love of literature, especially the LA detective Philip Marlowe and the wonderful line, "He looked about as inconspicuous as a tarantula on a piece of angel food." Willy, I toast you for the life you led, the wife you loved, the boys you raised, and the extended, enormous family and friends you created around you who today mourn you and remmeber you well. So long, pal. See you upstairs for some suds later.
Love,
Bruce
Bruce Hager
February 20, 2013
His passing leaves a tremendous void in ATL. Who will make us smile like Willy did??
Don Brown
February 20, 2013
Willy created more memories in his short time in Paris than many do in a lifetime. Whether presiding over marathon sessions in cafes or challenging the OECD economists in class, Willy was the straw that stirred the drink.
Brian Atchinson
February 20, 2013
This man was absolutely the most impacting first impression of my lifetime. He was loud, funny, brilliant, welcoming, treated people like gold, ready for a debate in split second's notice, walked like he owned the joint, built the ATL Palm from the sawdust up, & loved his family so! This loss has left a void in hundreds of lives. I will never forget him and will always carry memories of his bawdy tales, kind words and laughter with me. My prayers are for all those feeling this loss, especially Jonelle and the boys. Though I know they will never forgot what kind of man he was and how much he loved them. I have never had a better greeting than I did when I saw Willy. One of the things I will miss most. His raspy hello followed by a hug. Just so grateful to have known him. He changed my life and I am thankful I got to be one of the lucky ones that really knew him. That is the focus as we try to cope, what a gift it was to be his friend. He loved my boys too. So glad they had him as a part of their lives.
Toren Anderson
February 20, 2013
This is truly a sad day...an Atlanta institution who made us feel just a little better about ourselves and the day we were having. You will be missed very much Willy...
Scott Alexander
February 20, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
P Sharpe ( Isaiah 12:2 )
February 20, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
Joe Malheiro
February 20, 2013
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.
February 20, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the Cellucci family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
February 20, 2013
You are a friend, mentor and one of the most incredible people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I know that the great Jack and Danny will carry your spirit on, but I know that it will also be carried on by anyone that ever met you. Thank you for being a friend and an indelible part of what shaped me both personally and professionally.
Emmanuel Padilla
February 20, 2013
Never met Willy, but always enjoyed hearing him on the radio. His passion for food,wine and golf, made a commute to work more tolerable.
Mark Randle
February 20, 2013
R.I.P. Willy, you will be greatly missed and forever in our hearts and minds. You were an awsome person who brings a smile to every face you come in contact with, especially mine. It was a pleasure working with you these past 18 years.
Rosemarie Whitelocke
February 20, 2013
Finally getting a night off... RIP Willy
David Hackett
February 20, 2013
To the family you have my deepest sympathy may God give you strength.
February 20, 2013
My condolences to the Cellucci Family.
phillip randolph
February 20, 2013
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