Peter D. Cellino

Peter “Papa” Cellino, 93, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Saturday, July 10, 2021. He was born in Plainville, CT on June 29, 1928, and was the younger of two children born to the late John and Susan (Mastrianni) Cellino. A lifelong resident of Plainville, he graduated from Plainville High School and received his Business Administration Degree from Bryant College. During the height of the Korean Conflict, Peter, enlisted in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant and spending a tour of duty in Korea.

Peter was the beloved husband of Clara (Battista) Cellino, to whom he was married for 67 years. Clara, also a Plainville native and the love of his life passed away in 2018. They remained in Plainville for the entirety of their lives and together raised a loving family.  Peter joined his father, John, in operating the Federal Oil Company until 1963. Continuing as an entrepreneur, he established local businesses along with developing and investing in real estate. The success he achieved was a true testament to his strong work ethic and business acumen. Peter had an unwavering devotion to his family, working endlessly to support and build a comfortable life for them. His children learned the value of love, family, hard work, and integrity from him. Peter will always be remembered as a strong, kind, loving, supportive husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend.

An accomplished baseball player in high school, Peter continued playing in Plainville softball leagues throughout his 20’s and 30’s. In his 40’s, he found golf, his “second career”, quickly becoming a passionate player and in his 50’s he joined his son, John, as a member of the Farmington Country Club (FCC). Peter established lifelong friendships, and for nearly thirty years teed-it-up four to six days a week during the golfing season. He looked forward to partnering with his son in the annual FCC member/member golf tournament; they were a dynamic duo and force to be reckoned with. Peter was a founding member of the Mickey Mouser’s, a group of FCC members who annually ventured to Disneyworld for a week of golf, exceptional food and laughs with great friends. One of his happiest golf accomplishments was finally getting that illusive hole-in-one.

With his wife and friends, Peter loved traveling, especially to the Caribbean Islands. He enjoyed summers at the beach in Clinton, CT, relaxing and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed watching sports on TV, but especially his favorite team, the Yankees, along with golf, tennis, and UConn women’s basketball. On bright sunny days, he could be seen tooling around in his most treasured antique sports car, a 1968 Mercedes Benz 280SL convertible, which he referred to as “Baby Car”.

Peter treasured the holidays and being surrounded by family while enjoying traditional Italian foods and desserts — made with love by his wife and daughters. Peter had a tremendous mechanical aptitude and loved working with his hands. He could assemble, fix, and build anything he put his mind to; never using directions, just his critical thinking  and common sense.

In his younger years, in addition to baseball, Peter enjoyed hunting with fellow members of the Bristol Fish and Game Club, dirt bike riding with his son and bowling in numerous leagues. As a veteran, Peter was also a member of both the VFW and the American Legion posts.

We will miss his incredible quick wit and sense of humor, his love of life & family, his smile, and his endless playfulness. Above all, he loved his family and we loved him.

Peter leaves his children: John Cellino and wife Kathy of Niantic, Susan Cellino and her husband Gregory Jacques of Plainville, and Donna Cavallaro and her husband Christopher of Plainville.  Additionally, he leaves the pride and joys of his life, his grandchildren: Peter Cellino; Kacie Shiel and her husband Christopher; Jesse Cavallaro and his wife Mary; Nicholas Cavallaro and his wife Rachel; Christina Cavallaro; and Mei-Li Cellino-Jacques; his great-grandchildren, Penelope “Poppy” Shiel and Harrison Shiel; along with his brother-in-law Joseph Battista and his wife Debbie, his nephew Anthony Piergrossi, and extended family.  In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Beatrice Piergrossi and her husband Jack.

For the last three years, Peter, looked forward to homemade meals brought to him daily by his devoted daughters and social visits by his entire family. Sincere appreciation to the staff at Jerome Home in New Britain who cared for him over the last nine months. We will forever be grateful for the excellent care, compassion, and sensitivity provided.

To honor Peter’s wishes, his family celebrated his life privately this past Thursday. Peter may be remembered with a contribution to his favorite charity, The Plainville Family Resource Network. PFRN is a local non-profit organization supporting the educational development of young children ages birth to five and is located at 69 Linden Street in Plainville, CT 06062.

Plainville Funeral Home caringly and professionally handled all of the arrangements and burial for the family. For online expressions of sympathy, please visit his tribute page at www.PLAINVILLEFUNERALHOME.com.

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