Daniel B. Cellucci

Watertown – Mr. Daniel B. Cellucci, of Watertown, formerly of Waltham, died Friday, August 27, 2021 at his home.

Born in Cambridge on February 3, 1935 he was a son of the late Loreto and Donata (Salvucci) Cellucci and had been a Waltham resident for more than fifty-five years before recently moving to Watertown.

From a touching tribute posted by Dan's friends at the Waltham Channel:

"Dan Cellucci, the beloved husband of fashion icon Yolanda, passed away Friday after a brief battle with cancer. He was 86.

The ultimate behind-the-scenes guy, Danny executed many of Yolanda's most creative ideas while growing his own company.

He died surrounded by his family and loved ones. "We are at peace that he was at peace," said daughter Sandi Celli, a successful fashion designer and TV personality.

Born in 1935, Danny was a "street kid" from a hard-working Italian family in Cambridge.

He apprenticed to a well-known master plumber, then started his own company, Dan-Cel Plumbing and Heating, after he and Yolanda wed in May, 1956 at Saint Jude Church in Waltham.

The affable family man made up for a lack of education with sheer hard work. His hands and clothing were always covered in grease, Sandi said.

Starting at the Cellucci home in Waltham, Danny built out the handful of businesses that evolved into Yolanda's wildly successful bridal store.

He could also execute whatever a fashion show or special event demanded, no matter how far-fetched.

As time passed, his own company grew. He sold his successful mechanical contracting business only a few years ago.

Yolanda and Danny's tireless work ethic did not stop them from enjoying their success―and rare true love. They celebrated 65 years of marriage in May.

"They had so much fun together," Sandi said. Her dad loved to dance and taught his three grandchildren the words to all his favorite songs by Sinatra, Dean Martin and Bobby Darin.

In 2018, tragedy struck when the couple lost their younger daughter Linda at 57 to cancer."

As Danny's health declined, their commitment to each other never wavered. "My mom sat by his bed every day for 13 hours a day for the last six weeks," Sandi said."

In addition to his wife, Yolanda M. (DiDuca) Cellucci, Dan leaves his daughter, Sandra Damirjian of Lincoln; his grandchildren, Dimitri Petrosian (Kristen), Alec Petrosian and Milan George (Samuel); his son-in-law, Sebuh Petrosian of Waltham; his brother, Joseph Cellucci of Scituate; his sister, Maria Emerson of Eugene, Oregon and his sister-in-law, Nancy DiDuca of Belmont.

Dan was the father of the late Linda Cole Petrosian and a brother of the late Col. Loreto Cellucci, Anthony Cellucci and Carmen Cellucci.

Family and friends will honor and remember Dan's life by gathering to visit in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Thursday morning, September 2nd from 9 to 10 a.m. before leaving in procession to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Burial will be private.

Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Hospital, 51 Blossom Street, Boston, MA 02114 or www.shrinerschildrens.org/locations/boston

For those wishing to view Dan's funeral service, please click on the following link on Thursday, September 2nd at 10:30 a.m.: https://my.gather.app/remember/daniel-cellucci