Samuel R. Celi

Herkimer - Mr. Samuel R. Celi, 86, of 338 Dewey Ave. passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2012 in Little Falls Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Herkimer on November 24, 1925, the son of the late Charles and Ida Clemente Celi. He attended Herkimer schools and graduated from Herkimer High School with the class of 1943. Sam served with the US Navy during World War II and was Honorably Discharged on June 16,1946. He was married to Ada Marie Van Valkenburgh on November 24, 1947 in St Anthony's Church. Ada passed away on August 29, 2004. Samuel was an employed as a Finisher for the Library Bureau in Herkimer for many years. He was a communicant of Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church and was very active in the Republican Party. Sam is survived by one daughter and son in law, Sharon and Harold Gregory of Ilion; three sons, Charles Celi of Frankfort, David Celi of Tulsa, OK and Christian Celi of Ilion; eleven grandchildren, Jason, Jami, Kimberly, Rochelle, Tiffany, Michael, Andrew, Samantha, Patrick, Jonathon and Angela; six great grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his daughter, Judith Marie Celi, one grandson, Christian Celi and three brothers; Infant Carl Celi, Larry Celi and Carl Celi. His funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM in Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church, S. Main St., Herkimer, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Thomas Lawless. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. There will be no public calling hours. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 100 Lomond Court, Utica, NY 13502-5949 or American Diabetes Association, 1508 Genesee St, Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the church vestibule on Tuesday morning. Sam's family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of the Folts Home and Little Falls Hospital for the wonderful care and kindness shown to him during his stay and passing. His funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi & Burns Funeral Home, 329 S. Washington St., Herkimer. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on Sam's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com