Richard W. Celani

Richard W. Celani, 90, of Washington, went to be with his Lord Sunday, August 3, 2025, in the Washington Hospital, surrounded by his loving children. He was born December 5, 1934, in Washington, a son of the late Pietro and Virginia Aloia Celani. Rich was a 1954 graduate of Washington High School. He served as class president and was a member of the alumni board. He planned his own class reunions for many years before helping to create the Wash High Alumni Reunion in the Park, which combined several decades to reunite as the surviving classes got smaller. He rarely missed a Prexie football game over the years. He worked as an auto body technician for over 50 years and worked for many years at Rusty's Towing. In his free time, Rich enjoyed painting and making model cars. His greatest joy was being Poppa to his grandchildren and great- grandchildren. He was an extremely active member of the Washington community. He served on Washington City Council, The Brownson House Board, and the Washington- Greene Counties Sports Hall of Fame, among many other positions. He was also a founder of the inaugural Washington County Italian Festival. He was also very proud of his work with Pony Baseball, where he served in several capacities. On May 14, 1955, he married the love of his life, Dorothy "Skip" Barrett, who preceded him in death. Surviving are two sons, Michael (Kathleen) Celani of Pittsburgh, and Richard A. (Carol) Celani of Cape Coral, Fla.; two daughters, Tina Celani of Washington, and Jeanine (Steve) Courtwright of Washington; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Nina) Egan, Michelle Czolba, Nicole (Max) Glider, Celina (Jeff) Farabaugh, Stephen (Amy) Courtwright, Trisha (Jeff) Wright, Leah (Chris) Putnam, and Alec Celani; 11 great- grandchildren, Simon, Addie, Andrew, Bradley, Lorenzo, Ashley, Hannah, Peter, Tanner, Ella, and Layla; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are two brothers, John I. and Pete L. Celani; and a great-granddaughter, Amelia. Friends will be received from 1 to 3 and 5 to 7 p.m., the time of service, Wednesday, August 6, in the Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Home, 420 Locust Avenue, Washington. All other services are private and entrusted to Piatt and Barnhill Funeral Directors, Inc., Charles R. Piatt, owner/supervisor, Andrew C. Piatt, director. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be directed to either the Brownson House, 1415 Jefferson Avenue, Washington, PA 15301; or to Da Silva Center for Ebstein's Anomaly, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Floor 3, 4401 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224. Condolences may be expressed at www.piattandbarnhillfh.com