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Thomas Celic Obituary
Cross-country running was something that Thomas Celic learned from his older brother Marty when Tom was a freshman at Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island and Marty was the track coach.
"Marty was the one who got him running," recalled Tom's wife, Roseanne. And he kept on running, long after Marty Celic, a New York City firefighter, was killed in the line of duty in 1977. Tom Celic ran in races in Staten Island, and in the New York City Marathon, in which he typically finished in the top 300. "He just loved it," Mrs. Celic said. "Running was his passion."
Mr. Celic, 43, who worked at Marsh & McLennan, was close to both his families -- his own and the one he joined by marrying Roseanne, a Staten Island girl whom he met when she was 17 and he was 19. "He was a great son-in-law," said John Tasso, his father-in-law, who lived five minutes away. "Whenever they would go out, they would ask us to go, and include us."
After Sept. 11, Roseanne Celic discovered that she was not the only one who thought her husband was funny. His old clients called to tell her stories, and at the memorial service, the church was filled with firefighters from Ladder 17, his brother's company. "He made a lot of people laugh, and when he laughed, it was really such a joyous sound that you just laughed too," she said.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
John Sinclair
September 11, 2021
Worked with Tom. Always In Good humor . Played golf a few times and attendedprofessional sporting events. Never forget his loud pants open annual golf event.
Only person I ever knew that actually listened when he asked (how are you). So many laughs and good times. Everyone loved him.
Thinking of him on 20 year anniversary.
Marjorie Gross Rockman
September 10, 2021
In loving memory of Tom, always in my thoughts but especially on the 20th anniversary of the tragedy that took him from us.
Cindy Roe
September 4, 2021
Remembering Thomas on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Del Newberry
September 7, 2020
Much love to Thomas' friends and family. We will never forget. Much love from Texas,
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Gladys Fonseca-Matos
September 11, 2019
On this 18th Anniversary people will always remember and never forget for you ! Rest in Peace Always !
June 20, 2019
Youre in a better place Tom, see you in the afterlife.
Gladys Fonseca-Matos
September 20, 2018
On this 17th Anniversary people will always remember and never forget for you ! Rest in Peace Always !
Mike Velasco
September 11, 2018
God bless you Tommy! Always had a kind heart , warm smile and always took care of the younger guys from the neighborhood! An Ace you were and may you always be remembered..Mike V
June 30, 2018
My dad Earl Ladewig was great friends with your father and mother. Requiem et pace.
Gladys Fonseca-Matos
September 11, 2017
A day to reflect on the 16 the Anniversary of this tradgic event! Rest In Peace Always !
September 11, 2017
Remembered. I heard your brother's comments as he read your name. No doubt you are greatly missed. May God bless your family with peace this day. And an abundance of joy from remembering love shared. Memories in the mind fade, but those held in the heart live eternal. God bless
Gladys Fonseca-Matos
September 12, 2015
A Day of Remembrance of your 14th Anniversary in Heaven to always Rest in Peace !
My December 2012 visit to the Memorial to find Tom's name. RIP my friend
January 1, 2013
Tom & Scott Garman in Tampa Florida circa 1993.
January 1, 2013
GLADYS FONSECA-MATOS
September 12, 2012
REST IN PEACE AND MAY YOUR FAMILY BE IN COMFORT KNOWING YOU ARE WITH THE ANGELS !!!!!
September 11, 2012
You will never be forgotten Tom,,,,,,,
Bob Orazem
September 11, 2012
Miss you Tom. The race went good!
Ernie Beach
September 11, 2012
Thinking of you. It's feels like 5 minutes and wish we were out on the roads buddy. You're missed.
Ray Curry
July 10, 2012
Tom and I were friends and team mates at Monsignor Farrell. I was looking at some old news articles from our running days recently and saw we ran a relay together and won. I'm fondly remembering a J Geils Band show we saw with two other Farrell friends, one of whom also passed tragically. Great guy, Tom was. God bless.
Edward Jakob
September 29, 2011
I was your classmate in grammer school! God bless you and your dear family!
Anne Marie Bowen
September 11, 2011
We will never forget Tom....
Anne Marie Bowen
September 11, 2011
We will never forget Tom....
John Brady
September 11, 2011
I was with Johnson & Higgins for about 15 years and knew Tom quite well. Not only was he a great personality, but a great professional . We both worked in the Casualty Dept, and then I left J&H NY and went to J&H Nashville TN. Someone as good as Tom was has a place in Heaven. I am sure that he will be as well liked there, as he was in NY.
GLADYS MATOS
September 11, 2011
MAY THE LORD'S BLESSING BE WITH YOU ALWAYS AND WITH YOUR FAMILY FOREVER !!!!
Melissa Celic
September 10, 2011
everyone loves and misses you Uncle Tom.
Sharon
July 20, 2011
I love you Uncle tom
Val Gandolfi
February 8, 2011
ciao Thomas:-)
Valeria Gandolfi
December 1, 2010
I came across this signbook after spotted Thomas J.Celic ìn the Daily tribute that never Forget 9/11 always has on F.B. Reading the few lines of his wife, made me think that he was certainly a great soul, who we had the chance to know. And this is a luck, a bless:for both you, who were the real friends, and me and others who will ever get to talk about him,even if just met him virtually! But this adds evenmore truth to my words: being a great soul, he's still among us all! We may be missing our beloved ones who have to go back,where we all are from, but we must put in maind that whenever we need them..they are still here with us!So thank you Thomas J., 'cause from you I learnteven more, how important is to be myself, and beingfunny as I am with everybody I meet..cause they will ever need a smile,or a good laugh, added by deep thoughts as we are all sharinghere, thank to you and your example in life:-) Val
Doug Abraham
December 31, 2008
Happy New Years!!!
Josephine Restivo
September 11, 2008
As always, watching the ceremony this morning was very emotional, but seeing Tom's brother just added to it. As with the families of the other people I knew, my heart goes out to Tom's family.
Not exactly in running shape any more
steve zaccariello
July 9, 2008
there are just too many wonderful memories of tom to mention and i am glad to have shared those times with him. like the time in my backyard in jersey by the pool, barbecuing, swimming and drinking beer til night time with the condons as well. (i still have the picture of that day we shared on my desk) or the after marathon parties at o'neills ballon with rothrock, condon and ogrady. or the time tom passed me in the nyc marathon...he still had the wherewithall to encourage me on...i couldn't even speak...and then when i passed him back, he still gave me a "go zac"..but istill could not say anything i was so exhausted...not to mention the 24 hour relayat wagner hs...a classic celic moment....and the night workouts in the winter, skirting around the ice doing mile repeats at silver lake....and i guess the lastiing memory was the many times i saw tom and roe taking the ferry together, holding hands like it was there first date. i miss you tom and i swear, a day does not go by when i don't think of you at least once...something always pops up during my day to remind me of you...god bless..your friend always, zac
Eric Isaksen
September 4, 2007
Before Marty needlessly died on the job, I worked with him at Eger Nursing Home, where he was the funnest, funniest character, and he always had his track shoes with him. His coworkers loved him, his bosses loved him and the residents loved him, and he loved them right back.I worked with Rachel, his girlfriend there too.What a perfect couple.Marty loved his kid brother, Tommy, and his friends. They had lots of friends, and the brothers got along together so well.They even held parties at Mom&Dad's house together, and each attendee had to sign his or her name on the open floor planks or posts of the above floor, a Celic tradition (my name is there somewhere). God bless you,Inez, and the Celic family, and God bless you Rachel(nee Morrio)I saw Tommy the eve of Sept 9,or 10, in Blockbuster in Grant City (Ithink), but was embarrassed to talk to him, it had been so long.The entire family gave so much to their fellow Staten Islanders,the brothers should at least have a boulevard or avenue named after them.
God Bless all those who perished in the attacks on 9/11/01, their families, and those who responded and their families, God Bless all those who serve and have served, and theirs.Never Forget, Never Forgotten.
Kristine
October 19, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
September 9, 2006
In memory....
Maria T Longo
September 8, 2006
Dear Tom--
Yet another year has gone by and still it doesn't seem possible that you're not here with us. Tomorrow, we head to the Celic Run(this year, all three of us are participating) and Sharon has hopes of doing well. I know that she thinks of her Uncle Tom when she runs and that you will be watching and cheering her on. She knows that you would be as proud of her as we are.
We miss you and love you. You are always in our thoughts and in our hearts.
Maria, Vin and Sharon.
sharon
November 19, 2005
this is my uncle.. my godfather.. i love him and miss him very much
i love you uncle tom
jana
October 17, 2003
I was driving to work this morning and was listening to 95.5 wplj, and scott and todd were reading some letters regarding the s.i. ferry accident. the one that brought me to tears was the one from roseanne celic, who was thanking them (scott and todd) for playing "angel" by sarah mclaughlin, and she went on to say that she lost her husband on 9/11, etc., and she tried to never cry in public, and when she heard about the ferry accident, she was on a bus, and scott and todd played "angel" and she burst into tears. god bless you roseanne. sometimes it is good to let it all out in public.
Let Time Heal All Wounds But Don't Let It Forget
Carmela Romano
September 20, 2003
I work in a law office (name not given for privacy reasons)and I have never met Mr. Celic in person but he was a close friend of Gene and he called him often. Shortly after I transferred the call to Gene, I could hear him laughing in his office. We, the staff, would jokingly say "Hey, it's Tom Selleck!" because the names sound alike. One of the girls even had a picture of [Tom Selleck] taped on her wall. Mr. Celik was just a voice but when you hear a voice often enough you feel as if you know that person so when I heard the terrible news that he was one of the victims at the World Trade Center, I was stunned. All I could think was his voice giving his name and asking for Gene and the realization that I would never hear it again. I felt a deep sadness, for him, for his family, for Gene, who was devastated by the news. They say time heals all wounds. Maybe so, but like most wounds, it also leaves a scar and it's a good thing because that scar will always remind us of our loved ones. May his family and friends heal and the scar be a remember the happy times. God bless.
Julia Bruno
November 6, 2002
Thank you Tom for your inspiration...keep on runnin'
Victor Rao
September 19, 2002
The days following the attack I read every Advance to see if anyone I knew was in one of the Towers. When I saw Tom's name I almost became sick. It finally hit home. I was two blocks North of the Trade Centers that day, and even if I tried, I cannot erace the horrors of that day, it pains me to even talk about it.
I met Tom around the time he lost his brother, around 1977, 1978. He went to Farrell HS with a couple of my buddies. I also knew him through his neighbors in Richmondtown. Like I tell my wife; "When people pass, you always say, what a great guy the person was, with Tom, I tell my wife; "This guy, really was a GREAT guy, no REALLY" those bastards took a really really great guy"
Tom's smile said it all, soft spoken, sweet guy, really sweet guy...
I've wanted so long to just meet Tom's wife and tell her that I think of him often, and that even though I haven't seen him in a few years, from time to time I'd always think about him, especially when I'd take the ferry (Where I'd run into him and catch up on the old days) or in November during the marithons, I'd see his name and picture in the paper.
Tom will NEVER be forgotten. I know I will see his smile in the next life.
God bless his wife and God bless his family.
Victor Rao, an old friend from Staten Island...
Pete Marotta
September 16, 2002
I wrote this poem for the people lost on 9-11. I think of them often and I pray for them and their families. God Bless you.
Last Morning, Last Year
They got up on the clear blue day
Dreams in their heads
Children, Husbands, Wives
Uncles and Aunts
Bothers and Sisters
Last Morning, Last Year
To the city they headed;
By Bus, by train
By Ferry, by car in an endless parade
By foot and on the subways their Grandfathers made
Last Morning, Last Year
They said their good-byes in a familiar way
Not really so serious
Got places to go
Meeting to do
Deals to make
Friends to see
See you tonight
Last Morning, Last Year
A cop named Jimmy, from Brooklyn, you see
Irish and proud, a family had he
An Italian named Franco, a fireman like his father and grandfather
A beautiful woman, a single mom
They all headed up to the city
That clear blue day
Last Morning, Last Year
From Staten Island, two Brothers came
One was on Wall Street. The other a clerk
They came on the ferry, from the Isle o’ their birth
A man came from Haiti, to build a new life
The Lady he saw in the harbor and he knew he did right
Last Morning, Last Year
The towers were built on dreams
By good men
Immigrant stock
From small towns and farms
From reservations
And big cities
They worked and welded
And when they were done
A pair of silver towers
Like no one had seen
Tributes to Freedom
And what hard work will do
Last Morning, Last Year
The evil came quiet and still
They used our good graces and spit on our flag
They came as students and tourists
They came to kill, not to build a new dream
They came in among us, they chatted and laughed
All the while, they knew what they’d do
Last Morning, Last Year
They shaved off their beards and cut their hair
They wanted to blend in
Attack us by air
They used our women and ate our food
They waited and waited
They laughed at our goodness, thought us fools
Last Morning, Last Year
So when the evil was done
And they did their terrible deed
They killed off the mothers, the fathers
The Cops and the firemen
The EMS crew men
The best of us all
People who went to work that one day
And ended up ashes and crushed
They did not deserve this
They are all of us
Their memory we must keep
As they died living a dream
Last Morning, Last Year
Our friends, many, died that day
They will not see us
Nor hear us, but we think of them
They were regular folks
Played catch with their sons
And went to the shore
They died that day
For what, we can’t see
A cult of death, that wants no freedom
They killed all those people, and they want to kill more
They killed all those mothers and fathers
The Cop and the fireman
The guys from the Island
They all died that day
Last Morning, Last Year
So I tell you I’m angry
What can I do?
Those silver towers were not just steel
They stood for our city and our fathers built them
They built them to show what good men can do
And they were destroyed by evil, by envy and hate
Those killers hurt us
But they will not win
Because in that horror
Much good was still done
Many were saved by those wonderful men
They gave what they had
And they did us all proud
New Yorkers are we all
And we will survive
Our fathers and mothers
Our Bothers and sisters
Our husbands and wives
Are not gone you see
They all went to heaven
Last Morning, Last Year
- Peter Marotta
Peggy Richter
September 14, 2002
To the family of Thomas J. Celic.
I live here in California but was born and brought up in New York. I lived in the city for many years. My father was a volunteer fireman, as a matter of fact he was a chief.
In San Diego, one of the local radio stations wanted to pay tribute to the 9/11 victims.
We were to be at the baseball field at 6Am on 9/11. we would be given a badge with the persons name on it and we would each ring a big church bell one time for that person. For each and every person that died that day. We wanted to do it so badly that some of us were at the baseball field at 7PM the night before. We wanted to make sure we had our chance. I was given the name of Thomas J. Celic. What a honor it was for me to do that for him, and to be able to wear his badge all day, as a matter of fact, I will keep it forever.
When I got to work after that, we had our own little program, and after that I wrote Tom's name on a balloon and watched it float to heaven, I cried a lot that day, and am so proud to be able to do something.
God bless all of you, and my prayers are with you today and always.
Peggy Richter
Ann Marie Miranda
September 12, 2002
I worked with him briefly at J&H. He was a great guy. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for all. He will always be remembered.
suzanne lee
September 11, 2002
In reading the last entry in the guest book, I am also a first cousin of Tom's- they must have stopped at your house on the way to
California back in the 60's- Tom was about 5, and he had that same fire truck that you mentioned- that was all he played with at my parents house, filling it with water , and putting out the fires- I am sure he and his brother ,Marty are together and happy- may God bless the families of those who were taken from us, and help us to move forward.
Maria Longo
September 10, 2002
My dear brother-in-law---You are always in our thoughts, our prayers and our hearts.We love you and will always miss you.
Ralph Pavia
September 10, 2002
It's now one year Tom - We shall never forget you or any of the others. Rest in Peace my friend.
Roseann Fornito
June 3, 2002
To the Celic family,I did not know Tom but have heard many stories about him from my brother Vinny who knew him through work. He said Tom was one of the nicest guys to know and he worked with him on a few accounts. My brother told me that Tom and him use the same haircuter downtown and on 9/11, he just got his haircut and was running to a meeting so he told the older man he had to hurry up. My brother went back and told him that Tom was lost and he cried and wished he kept him there a few minutes longer. Thank God, my brothers meeting was uptown that day. But for his family, may God Bless you all and give you strength everyday.Tom will never be forgotten in our family.
Pete Marotta
May 29, 2002
Tom was my team mate on the Msgr Farrell HS Track team, or rather I was his team mate, since he was about 1000% better as a runner than I was. He was one of the older guys that we all looked up to as a leader. God Bless him, his brother Marty and all their family.
Marilynn Ventura
April 12, 2002
There is no finish line!
We shall all run once again.
David Harper
March 6, 2002
Those were nice tributes. I knew that he had turned out right. He was a good kid. His brother Marty was a good guy. Tough luck. Bad luck. D.Harper
Jim Sheridan
February 6, 2002
May God bless Tom and his family. I was a classmate of Tom's at Farrell and I will always cherish the memories of the good time we had together.
As his entry in my Senior yearbook recommended - I will "always remember our games of hoops during gym class".
Karl DeFoe
January 20, 2002
I was fortunate to have known Tom as we worked together on several clients of Johnson and Higgins prior to its merger with Marsh. I retired in 1998, had not seen Tom since then and was shocked to hear that he was lost.
Tom was the consummate professional but always in his low-key, laid-back style that was so effective with our clients and his associates at J&H alike. We were both "early morning" persons and we would often see each other at the coffee bar in the lobby at 125 Broad St. before 8:00AM. I still cannot believe that Tom is gone and I know that his clients will dearly miss his expertise. I want to extend my sincerest sympathy to Tom's family in this very difficult time.
Alma Ramos
January 19, 2002
Tommy was my teammate, and like a brother to me. He was a fabulously fast runner, but always took the time to spend with everyone - regardless of their speed. He was a very organized director with the annual race held in honor of his brother Marty (this year, the race will honor both of them.) The SIAC misses you Tom. Roseanne, I'm still praying for you, that the Lord will continue to give you His strength during this difficult time.
Tom Ridgway
January 18, 2002
I worked with Tom at Marsh. He was my manager and someone that I trusted and respected in this large company. I could always go in his office and talk to him about work, but also about my life. We are both the youngest of five children and I think that made us understand each other a little better. We would make friendly wagers on sports games and he had no problem letting me hear it when his team won. My fiancee is from the "Rock" and he would always talk to me about Staten Island and marrying Italian women (which both Rosenne and my fiancee are). In a large company it is difficult to find someone to trust and look up to. I found trust and aspired to be like Tom Celic in work and everyday life. I found a good role model, a quality person and someone I called friend.
I will never forget Tom and everyday try to emulate how he would have lived.
Judy Close
January 15, 2002
I just received word about Tom over the holidays when my former boss (from Johnson & Higgins Corp. Communications) sent me the memorial program Marsh & McLennan printed at the end of September for a service held at St. Patrick's Cathedral. I saw his name on the list of WTC victims, and I burst into tears. I can't claim that I knew him well, but I remember him as a young trainee so many years ago at J&H, and I even remembered 2 specific occasions: he was part of a big group of J&H'ers who had lunch in the Executive Dining Room at 125 Broad (I was there at lunch because I wrote an article in the company magazine on the visitors from our Norwegian affiliates who were going to run in NY Marathon a few days later. Tom was there because he was our famous J&H "Marathon Man"). Another time, I kidded with him in the J&H Cafeteria about the Italian pronunciations (or Brooklyn accented-me) of certain foods and pastas. He did, indeed make people laugh, and he LIKED to laugh himself. I'll remember him fondly, in my prayers, always. J&H people were always the best in the insurance industry!
Judy Close, Woodhaven, NY
Jean Taylor
January 15, 2002
GOD BLESS.
Beth Pritchard (nee Heidler)
January 8, 2002
I attended high school with Tom's wife, Roseanne, at St.Joseph Hill, a small school in which we all knew each other. I lost several friends and acquaintances in the WTC, but when I realized that sweet Roseanne had lost her husband and high school sweetheart, I was particularly touched. I hope you are given the strength and courage to go forward as you must and be comforted by the knowledge that all who know you grieve for you at this time of tragedy. God bless you.
Teresa Jahn
January 6, 2002
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Patricia Waters (previously Rieger)
January 2, 2002
I worked with Tom when he was a member of the Johnson and Higgins Casualty Department in NYC (prior to the merger with Marsh) and I worked for their in-house wholesaler in Chicago.
My sincere condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
Josephine Restivo
December 26, 2001
Even though Tom and I never worked in the same dept, I knew him well enough to know that he was a great person. Although he worked his way up the corporate ladder, he was always down to earth, had a smile for eveyone, and never too busy to say hello and ask how you were doing. My heart truly goes out to his wife and the rest of his family.
Kim & Brian Shaw
December 25, 2001
As our "adoptive" family thru our church steming from the tragedies of Sept.11th, our prayers are with the Celic Family during this very difficult time. God Bless.
December 19, 2001
MAY GOD BLESS THOMAS J.CELIC AND MAY
HE REST IN PEACE.GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS.GOD BLESS AMERICA
AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01
Elaine Kimmel
November 18, 2001
Tom and I worked together and like so many others his is a great loss. I am saddened that he is no longer with us.
To his family and friends I offer my deepest condoleces.
David Harper
October 20, 2001
Tom was my first cousin. He was just 5 years old when I saw him last. His parents, Matt and Inez Celic, brought their family here to visit Inez's brother Bill. We kids had dinner in the garage. A toy fire truck had been given to Tom. It had a little tank for water that could then be squirted from a tiny hose. Tom managed to find some paint remover and filled that tank and sprayed a little on our garage door. His older brother, Marty, was also here. He was my age. He went on to become a fire fighter in New York city or New Jersey. He died 26 years ago fighting an arson fire. That family has lost a lot. PS. Marty's girlfriend when he died had married a New York fire fighter. He was one of those lost while going up the stairwell Sept. 11. Later.
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