Anthony T. Celhar

Tony was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 7, 1947 to Helen and Tony Celhar. He was an only child until his twelfth birthday when his beloved sister Cathy was born. They welcomed their brother, Eddie, on September 7, 1964.

Tony was a graduate of Collinwood High School where he was a proud Railroader. He attended Ohio University graduating in June of 1969. While there he met his wife, Deborah Ladd, and they married on March 21, 1970 in Cherry Hill, NJ. Tony had begun a career in industrial sales that moved them ten times over the next sixteen years. Each of their three sons was born in a different state. In 1986 a new job opportunity brought the family to Moorestown, NJ where they lived for thirty-five years. In 2021 they moved to Cinnaminson just a few miles away.

Despite their vagabond childhoods, Michael (Kelly), Geoffrey (Amy) and Brian (Rebecca) have all stayed in the area. Tony delighted in welcoming each daughter-in-law and all six of the grandchildren: Kendall, Mason, Mikaela, Jack, Finn and Liev. Family was always full of love and laughter. While Tony outlived his parents and siblings, his sister’s husband Todd and their daughter Hannah are ties to his Ohio roots. Tony was a favorite of his Ladd relatives. He enjoyed close relationships with Deb’s two brothers and four sisters, their spouses and a multitude of nieces and nephews who live near and far.

Tony was a warm and generous friend to those he met at work, in the community and at Christ Our Light Church in Cherry Hill. He mentored many at work and successfully contributed to large corporations and start-up businesses both domestically and internationally. He was a work hard, play hard guy.

In semi-retirement he filled his time visiting parishioners who were homebound, being a liturgical lector and participating in many other volunteer activities at Christ Our Light. He was a member of the Camden Diocesan Prison Ministry. He also volunteered for several years on The West Chester Rail Road as a conductor. One of the memorable family outings included the whole family on the Christmas Santa Train.

Family and friends mourn Tony’s passing on April 12, 2023. He lived a full life and gracefully bore the progression of cancer for twenty-four years. We celebrate his life on May 19, 2023 at Christ Our Light Church. Well done good and faithful servant.

For anyone who would like to offer a gift in celebration of Tony’s life, memorial contributions can be made to:

Samaritan Hospice

3906 Church Road, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

OR

Joseph’s House of Camden

20 Church Street, Camden NJ 08105