Robert A. “Bob” Cerritelli, age 81, departed this life on April 3, 2018. He was the husband of the late Paula Brewer Cerritelli.
Bob was born in Derby on Oct. 31, 1936, son of the late Frances Boccia Cerritelli and Aley J. Cerritelli. He was a graduate of Ansonia High School in 1954 and proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps until his honorable discharge in 1958. He pursued his passion of auto mechanics and worked at the former DeMichele’s Garage in Derby and later owned Vic’s Super Service Station on Derby Ave. in Derby. In 1975, Bob moved Vic’s to Elizabeth Street in Derby until his retirement in 2002. He was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church and volunteered many hours, especially during the annual summer festival. Bob also served on the Derby Board of Apportionment and Taxation for almost fifteen years. Bob was never seen without a White Owl Invincible cigar clenched between his teeth. He had a masterful command of expletive words and phrases but under his seemingly gruff exterior was a man whose heart was pure gold. He often gave money to the less fortunate and helped with the refurbishment of the war memorial of Atwater Avenue.
He leaves to cherish his memory, brothers, Richard Cerritelli and his wife Rita of Derby, Allen Cerritelli and his wife Lucille of Sun City, FL, John Cerritelli and his wife Patricia of New Haven and Gregory Cerritelli and his wife Rhonda of Bethany and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held on Saturday April 7th from 9:00 to 10:00 am in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI/BEDNAR-OSIECKI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Mary’s Church in Derby at 10:30 am. Interment with U.S. Marine Corp. honors will follow in Mt. St. Peter’s Cemetery in Derby. To send an act of sympathy, please visit www.spinelliriccciutifh.com
