Henry T. Celularo, 85, of Worcester passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2011 surrounded by his loving family and the devoted staff at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Home on Plantation Street.

Henry was born in Worcester, January 9, 1926, a son of Mariano and Carmella (Calarosa) Celularo. He attended Worcester public schools and has lived on Grafton Hill all his life. Henry’s wife of 55 years, Gloria A. (Casavant) Celularo predeceased him in 2001. He is survived by a son, Thomas H. Celularo and his fiancé Kathy Duchesneau of Leominster; and three daughters, Karen M. Boland and her husband Bill of Charlton, Joan D. Paris and her husband Frederick of Wilbraham and Gloria -Jean Celularo of Worcester; six grandchildren, Nicole Paris-Kro and her husband Kafui of Springfield, Jessica Paris of Springfield, Michael Boland and his wife, Amy of Oxford, Kelly Boland of Charlton, Nicholas and Anthony Celularo of Worcester; four great-children, Gabrielle, Jayden, and Annalise Paris-Kro and Zoey Boland.

He is also survived by two bothers and three sisters, Raymond J. and James J. Celularo and Delores Norrman, Eva Kiley and Irene Eucker. Two brothers, Frank F. and John J. and two sisters, Ann Azzinarro and Helen Ricciardi all predeceased him.

Henry worked in the family diner and canteen service business for many years, then as the director of Shipping and Receiving at David Clark Company of Worcester, fulfilling U.S. Government contracted work for the national space program. He owned and operated Hank’s Shoe Store at Webster Square and then operated a penny candy store,”The Barn” with his wife on Hamilton Street, followed by a novelty store, “This N’ That” on Shrewsbury Street, retiring in 1993.

Hank will long be remembered for his enduring love of family and his love of sports. He always enjoyed being included in Nick Manzello Sports Street’s club in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette for his youthful years spent in softball on Lake Ave. in Worcester.

Henry’s funeral will be held Wednesday, December 21 from the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., with a Mass of Christian burial at 10:00 A. M. in Our Lady of Loreto Church, 37 Massasoit Rd.

Interment will be in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours are 4 P.M. to 7 P.M.on Tuesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Turnpike Road, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.