Melvin Samuel Cellini

MELVIN SAMUEL CELLINI APR 30, 1945 - OCT 1, 2010 Melvin Samuel Cellini went to the Lord on Thursday October 1, 2010 at the age of 65. Mel was born and raised in Modesto and a 1963 graduate of Downey High. He was a retired enologist and businessman. He was the West Coast President of Canandaigua Wine Company. Through is career he was General Manager and Winemaker for Bisceglia Brothers, a winemaker at Gibson Winery and Assistant Winemaker at both United Vinters and Gallo. Mel graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in enology in 1968. He was a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, Rotary, Christian Businessmen, the Institute for Food Technologists, the American Society of Enologists, a board director of the Wine Institute and served on the Board of Directors for the VERSI board. Mel was also a passionate supporter of Teach One to Lead One and his church. Mel is survived by his wife Penny Cellini of Madera, his son Allan Cellini and daughter-in-law Laura of Clovis, daughter Anne Cellini Kidder and son-in-law Jared Kidder of San Diego, CA and his granddaughter Sarah Cellini. Mel will be remembered for his quick wit, humor, passion for people and his faith in the Lord. A celebration of life service will be held on Thursday October 7, at 11:00 at the NorthPointe Community Church in Fresno, 4625 W. Palo Alto Ave., Fresno, CA 93722. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mel's honor to the American Cancer Society or the Fresno State Enology Department. www.modbee.com/obituaries