Michael was the beloved son of Mario and Norma Celardo (nee Bruno), who predeceased him, and a lifelong Staten Islander. He attended Sacred Heart School (1971), McKee High School (1975), and Wagner College, graduating in 1979 with a bachelor's of fine arts in music. Following further study in computer science, Michael began his career in technology, most recently with Broadridge Financial Solutions, where he worked with multiple teams as a senior technical support analyst for over 18 years.
Michael was a devoted and loving son, caring for his parents, Mario and Norma in their later years until their respective deaths in 2003 and 2006. He loved celebrating holidays with his aunts, uncles and cousins, to whom he was particularly close and devoted.
While private by nature, Michael was gifted with an outgoing personality that drew everyone to him. He was a great friend and colleague; generous, brilliant, straightforward, well intentioned and funny. To those closest to him, he is the truest and most loyal friend they will ever have.
Michael is remembered as a man of substance, with wide-ranging interests and a refined appreciation of culture, music, and cuisine; as knowledgeable about 15th century lute compositions and Bach as he was about the Mothers of Invention. He enjoyed exploring gastronomy, discovering new restaurants and travel and vacationing with friends. He possessed a wonderful sense of humor, which will be sorely missed by all.
He is survived by his uncle and aunts, Ed and Mary Celardo, Margaret Celardo and Rose Celardo, his cousins from the Celardo and Bruno families, his Godchildren, Michael Batten and Laura Grant, and numerous friends and colleagues, who will all mourn his passing and always remember, cherish, and celebrate his too short presence in our lives.
The celebration of Michael's life will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Harmon Funeral Home, with a short service to follow. The funeral service will also be held at Harmon on Monday, Feb. 11, at 11 a.m. He will be reunited with his cherished parents at St. Peter's Cemetery.
His family, friends, and colleagues invite you to join us in the celebration of Michael's life at his wake and funeral service, and by sharing your memories of Michael in the on-line guestbook..
Harmon Funeral Home
571 Forest Ave.
Staten Island, N.Y. 10310
(718) 442-5056
Published in Staten Island Advance on Feb. 5, 2019
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