Lucetti Luke Cellini, M.D., age 90, a much loved and respected local family physician for over forty-five years, passed away on Monday, August 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. Dr. Cellini, also known as Doc and Dr. Luke, was truly one of a kind. He had more stories than a library, and more associated “sayings” than any one man should ever have. He never lacked an opinion – on anything – and loved the ensuing debate after a provocative statement. He loved a good political conspiracy, and never shied away from writing “a letter” to those who deserved it. Dr. Cellini did things his own way in life, including earning his medical degree (graduating early) in a foreign country, learning the language while in attendance. He told his family frequently he had no regrets, and had the most amazing life filled with love, joy, and amazing adventures.
Dr. Cellini was born and raised at 2nd and Concord Avenue in Chester, PA, where he attended Franklin Elementary School, Smedley Junior High School, and Chester High School (1950) where he lettered in football, and met the love of his life, Edna. He was a member of the Franklin Fire Company and the Chester Boys Club where table tennis was his passion. He was a proud Korean War Era Veteran serving in the Army in Germany as an interpreter and supply corporal. Using the G.I. Bill, he attended college at Pennsylvania Military College (PMC), now Widener University in Chester, and after graduation in 1959 went on to graduate from the University of Roma in Italy with his medical degree, followed by an internship at Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Darby, PA. He practiced true family medicine, which included house calls, in his Brookhaven and Middletown offices, where he counted many patients as friends.
Beyond his private practice, he served as Medical Director and team physician at Widener University (1974 - 2016), and was Medical Director for 15 years at Scott Paper (Kimberly Clark) in Chester, PA. Dr. Cellini joined the medical staff at Crozer-Chester Medical Center, where he served as President to the Medical Staff (1976 – 1978), and Chairman of Family Practice and the Dental Staff. He was also on staff at both Sacred Heart, and Riddle Hospital. Never one to shy away from helping, he was also past president of the Beaver Dam Rod and Gun Club in Bodines, PA, and the Windward Harbor Condominium Association in Avalon, NJ.
Dr. Cellini was at his happiest being with his family in Wallingford, PA (mainly in the basement in his recliner, smoking his pipe and watching the Phillies), or at the shore in Avalon, NJ, spending time fishing with his children, playing pinochle with his close friends, and solving the world’s problems on his balcony. He further enjoyed being in the woods and mountains of Williamsport, PA, where he pretended to hunt, but was really only there for the breakfasts and fried salami sandwiches on the flat top grill in the cabin, and eating at Franco’s Lounge for dinner.
Dr. Cellini is predeceased by his wife, Edna Vincent Cellini, whom he has missed very much, his parents, Frank and Mary Grace (Rosato) Cellini, and his brother Peter Cellini.
SURVIVORS: Children: Lia Hassebrock (Douglas) of Leesburg, VA, James Cellini (Gail) of Newark, DE, and Wayne Cellini (Silvia) of Springfield, PA; grandchildren: Ava and Charlotte Hassebrock, Luke (Melanie), Rachel, Marianne, Steven (Colleen) and Wayne Cellini; great grandson: Benjamin Cellini; also survived by his brother; B. Joseph Cellini of Chadds Ford, PA.
VISITATION: Tuesday August 16, 2022 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm and Wednesday August, 17, 2022 from 9:30 - 10:45 am at Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Ave., Aston, PA 19014, with a Catholic funeral liturgy at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Chester Rural Cemetery, Chester. Condolences: www.nolanfidale.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations designated in honor of Dr. Cellini may be made as follows to Widener University Athletics: To donate online, please visit https://give.widener.edu/give/make-gift. Checks payable to Widener University Athletics can be sent to Michael Felici, Widener University, One University Place, 320 Old Main, Chester, PA, 19013
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