Nicholas S. Celia

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Nicholas S. Celia, age 88, of Avon, Massachusetts, who died peacefully on December 31, 2025. Nick was a longtime resident of Avon, living a full and vibrant life, and spent many years residing part-time in North Fort Myers and Nokomis, Florida.

Born in Brockton, Massachusetts, Nick was the first of three children born to Angelina and Nicholas Celia, along with his sisters, Corrine and Betty Anne. He attended Northeastern University and then the University of Southern California, where he studied engineering. While living in California, he met and married his wife of 49 years, Barbara Celia, who passed away in 2011. Together, they raised four children: Nicholas Jr. (Nicky), Sharon, Michael, and Susan.
Nick had a remarkable career in engineering. He worked for NASA, playing roles in multiple Apollo missions, including designing launch platforms and measuring sound pressure levels. He also designed and built satellite attachments used outside spacecraft to hold satellite camera technology, still in use today. He later served as Vice President of Teledyne in Waltham, Massachusetts, before becoming an independent consulting engineer. Among his many professional achievements, Nick contributed to the development of the first self-cleaning oven, the first microwave, and the first laser. He later worked as a nuclear engineer, helping bring U.S. power plants up to code.
An avid tennis player, Nick won numerous awards over the years and served as director of the tennis club. Some of his favorite pastimes included riding around in his little yellow convertible and enjoying long naps on the lanai. Nick cherished his time in Nokomis Florida, where he created many fond memories and was survived by his longtime partner, Catherine Kenny.
He will be remembered for his brilliant mind, lasting contributions to engineering, and the joy he found in a life shared with those he loved.

All are welcome to visitation on Wednesday, January 7th from 9-10 a.m. at Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St., Brockton, followed by his 10:30 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Michael Church, 87 N. Main St., Avon and burial at St. Michael Cemetery, Avon.

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