Raffaele "Ralph" Celia, 82, of Phillipsburg, died Monday, November 24, 2003 in Warren Hospital.

Born August 20, 1921 in Petrizzi, Province di Catanzaro, Italy, he was a son of the late Francesco and Marietta Jiorle Celia.

His wife of 53 years, the former Theresa Piperata died April 30, 2002.

He was a retired laborer for Ingersoll-Rand, Phillipsburg. He formerly worked for Harmony Dye Works in Easton, the former Warren Foundry, Phillipsburg and also worked for area contractors as a bricklayer and mason.

He was a veteran of World War Two, serving with the Italian Army, 48th Regiment, Artillery di Montangna, from 1941 to 1945. During that time, he was captured as a prisoner of war and held in the German concentration camps.

He was a member of St. Philip and St. James Catholic Church, Phillipsburg.

He was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and enjoyed various activities at the Phillipsburg Senior Center and being a member of their Friendship Group.

Survivors include a daughter Toni E. Colello and her husband, Ronald of Hackettstown; two grandchildren, Brian and Nicole Colello; two brothers, Anthony and Vito Celia, both of Phillipsburg and a sister, Jean DiBilio of Nazareth. A brother Louis died earlier.

Funeral services will be held 9:00 am Wednesday in the Noto-Wynkoop Funeral Home, 289 South Main St., Phillipsburg. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 am in the church, 426 S. Main St., Phillipsburg. Burial will be in the parish cemetery, Greenwich Twp. A calling hour will be held from 8:00 am to 9:00 am Wednesday in the funeral home. Online condolences may be submitted at www.noto-wynkoop.com.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Phillipsburg Senior Center, 310 Firth St., Phillipsburg, NJ 08865.