BREWER, Maine — A Texan who dedicated much of his life to the city of Brewer will be recognized by city officials during the regular council meeting next month.
Michael Celli, 59, died Oct. 22, surrounded by family and friends. He served seven years on the Brewer City Council, four of them as mayor, before being elected to the State Legislature in 2008, where he served two terms as a Republican member of the House of Representatives.
Gov. Paul LePage, in a statement released Monday, directed that State of Maine flags in Augusta and Brewer be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday in Celli’s honor.
Celli, originally from New Braunfels, Texas, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where he lettered in football and baseball. He went on to teach at various levels. He became an active community member after moving his family to Brewer, and was known for his impressive Christmas lights displays.
“Mike was very involved with the city of Brewer,” Brewer City Manager Steve Bost said Monday. “He was passionate about his adoptive city.”
He struggled with a chronic illness throughout his years of service.
Celli’s illness “slowed him down at times, but it did not compromise all his wit and passion for his work,” Bost said.
Brewer City Councilors will recognize Celli’s years of service with a resolve at the next regular council meeting on Monday, Nov. 17.
Friends and family are invited to calling hours 5-8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Greenlawn Funeral Home, 300 State St. in Bangor. Interment ceremonies will be held at a later date.
“As individuals, we need to express to the family directly our feelings,” Brewer Mayor Jerry Goss said Monday.
City officials said they planned to attend Tuesday’s funeral.
“Mike served the city of Brewer very well during his time on the council and as a mayor, and he will be remembered in that manner,” Goss said.
Memorial donations may be made in Celli’s memory to Friends of Fort Knox, an organization Celli was active in and cared deeply for, according to friends. The address is PO Box 456, Bucksport, Maine, 04416.
Follow Nick McCrea on Twitter @nmccrea213.