Paul A. Cella

EAST HAMPTON - Paul A. Cella, of East Hampton, formerly of Wallingford, Truckee, Calif., and Winter Haven, Fla., died suddenly and peacefully on Wednesday, July 3, 2013, at Hartford Hospital.

Born on Sept. 9, 1922, he was the son of Paul J. and Louise Forline Cella. He was predeceased by his sweetheart of 47 years, Eleanor Gavette Cella. His steady, loving presence will be missed by his daughters, Terry Danaher and husband, Patrick, Dorene Nablo and husband, George; grandchildren, Meghan Gagne, Molly Bickford, Addy Danaher, Gil Danaher, Brennan Danaher, Dustin Nablo and Brooks Nablo; and nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Cella and wife, Annette, David Cella; and extended family. He graduated from Wentworth Institute with a degree in Aeronautical Design in 1942. He served in World War II from 1942 to 1945 as a lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps, B-24 pilot, 15th Air Force, 465th Bomber Group, 783rd Squadron, stationed in Italy. Returning, he began his career at Hill and Harrigan in 1946, married in 1949, earned an associate in electrical engineering degree from New Haven College in 1951, and was employed by C.N. Flagg Co. (later CNF Industries) in Meriden from 1951to 2001 first as an engineering draftsman/project manager then as vice president, president and chief operating officer and vice chairman and, from 1986 to 2001 as senior consultant to new owner, U.S. Windpower. In 1992, he was awarded an honorary bachelor of technology by Wentworth Institute. He, along with Eleanor, designed and built four homes in which they lived at various times. Paul approached work, play and family with earnestness and integrity, shared an honest life and loved us all unconditionally. He was passionate about embracing an active and healthy lifestyle; his hobbies-snow skiing, water skiing and building/flying remote controlled airplanes; his love for and involvement with his family, and his love of freedom, liberty and his country.

His life will be celebrated on Monday, July 15, at 10 a.m. with a Mass of Christian burial at St. Bridget of Kildare Church, Moodus Leesville Road, Moodus followed by burial at Lakeview Cemetery, East Hampton. Memorial donation suggestions are The Heritage Foundation, 214 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20002 or the Bay Point Club, c/o Marcie Loffredo, 76 Spellman Pt. Road, East Hampton, CT 06424.