Duvilio "Mike" Celotti

PORT HENRY -- Duvilio "Mike" Celotti, 86, of Port Henry, N.Y., died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008.
He is survived by his beloved wife and best friend, Louise "Montagnola," of 57 years; his nine children, Dr. Michael Celotti and wife, Mary of Port Henry, N.Y., James Celotti and wife, Mary of Williston, Vt., George Celotti and wife, Deb of Mineville, N.Y., Joseph Celotti and wife, Evelyn of Port Henry, N.Y., Patricia (Ticia) Aurilio and husband, Tom of Moriah Center, N.Y., Celia Briggs and husband, Tom of Moriah Center, N.Y., Thomas Celotti and wife, Tammy of Crown Point, N.Y., Tina Hargett and husband, Jeff of Saratoga, N.Y. and Judy Garrison and husband, Tim of Moriah Center, N.Y.; 22 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Giorgio and Joan Celotti of Tolland, Conn., and several special nieces and nephews.
Duvilio was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on March 10, 1922, son of the late Stanislaus and Ercilia Celotti. As a young boy he worked and lived on the Babbie Farm in Champlain, N.Y. The Babbies treated him like family, and he thought of them as his "brothers." He then moved to Mineville, N.Y., where he worked for Republic Steel until the mid-1970s. He was a member of the Port Henry Knights of Columbus for 25 years. He worked various other jobs on the missile base in Lewis, N.Y., NYS DOT, NAPA and the Green Thumb Program.
He was predeceased by his brothers, Oresto, Dominic "Jimmie," Ralpheal, Tomasio, Octavia and Amerigo "Amos" Celotti.
He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, father-in-law and friend who had a great sense of humor enjoying a good joke and good cigar. He never let his loved ones forget how wealthy he was to have family. Right up until the end, he encouraged his family to be loving and strong and "go with the flow."
Calling hours will be held Monday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick's Church in Port Henry. Following the services a gathering of family and friends will be held at the Knights of Columbus in Port Henry.
Memorial donations may be made to the Moriah Ambulance Squad.