Orazio M. "Ray" Celona

CELONA, Orazio M.  SGT-BPD (ret).  In East Boston, September 12, 2024 in his 102nd year. Lifelong East Boston resident and reitred Boston Police Sergeant with 35 years of service. Beloved husband of the late Celia R. (Sciacchitano) Celona.  Son of the late Rosaria (Caruso) and Frank Celona. Brother of the late Frank j. Celona Jr and his wife Rose (Marino).

He leaves his son, Stephen and his wife Mary of Amesbury, Son, Michael and his wife Nancy and daughter Carol, all of East Boston. He was the cherished grandfather of Michael Celona Jr and his wife Kimberly, Stacey and her husband Thomas Strong, Tina and her husband James DelRaso, Kristen Celona and her partner Michael Cromidas, Celia and Sean. He was great-grandfather to Victor, Brayleigh, and Aislynn Celona, Olivia, Madly and Gavin Strong. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was precede in death by his faithful and loving companion of 23 years, the late Rose Labadini.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours in the Magrath Funeral Home, 336 Chelsea St. [at Day Sq] EAST BOSTON on Monday, September 16, 4- 8 PM.  His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church, 45 Brooks St., East Boston on Tuesday morning, September 17, at 10 o'clock.

Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Michael Cemetery, Roslindale.

Sgt. Celona retired from the Boston Police Department in 1987.  In 1958, he delivered a baby girl in the West End section of Boston.  He received the Medal of Honor in 1978 for apprehending 3 bank robbers in the First National Bank of Dorchester for attempted robbery on Morrissey Blvd., and was also presented the Medal of Valor by the New England Police Chiefs Assn. In that year he was also the liaison officer for the City of Boston, escorting members of European police departments during their stay in the City of Boston.

During World War II, he served in the US Army Air Corps.  He trained to be a pilot, but his class was cut just before graduation.He was then assigned to the 10th Army, 87th Signal Division, and was in the ship to shore Invasion of Okinawa on April 1, 1945.  He continued his service as of the Army's occupation force in Korea.

He was a member of DAV Post #77, VFW Psot #6712, Flaherty American Legion Post #30.  he was the Director of the Retired Boston Police Officers Assn., Fraternal Order of Police, Italian American Officers Assn. and the Knights of Colunbus #2692.

He was an usher for many at St. Lazarus church in East Boston and enjoyed repairing and restoring old radios, as well as working in his wood shop. He was a graduate of Mechanic Arts High School (City of Boston) Class of 1941.

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