Walter John Celley

On May 8th, 2025 at the age of 85 and in his home of 53 years, Walter John Celley passed away doing what he spent his life perfecting; carving something special for a loved one.  He was a lifelong artist, spending decades as a master granite sculptor, and then using his retired years to create everything from birch bark moose calls, to wooden trunks, to wedding ring holders for his family. He was proud to have carved the granite eagles on the WWII memorial in Washington D.C., especially after having served as an army military police officer with men who also served in WWII. 

Walter was a lover of the deep woods. One of his favorite pastimes was using his handmade birch bark moose calls to get moose close enough to be photographed. On his long treks through the woods he would collect the heavy antlers that were naturally shed every year, hauling them out of the thicket on his back. 

He was also a collector and restorer of antique engines and snowmobiles, and some of his best memories were attending engine shows with his sons and grandson. Last summer he and his family created an antique snowmobile float, and walked in the 4th of July parade with his grandchildren and great-grandsons. 

He may now be physically gone, but his love and respect for the wilderness, and his way of creating beauty out of nothing will continue on in his family for decades to come. 

Walter is survived by his wife of 62 years, Cyrena (Hatch) Celley; five sons and their spouses; Timothy (Margaret Santa Maria) Celley, Michel (Lisa Whipple) Celley, Paul (Susan  Dessureau) Celley, Thane Celley, Aaron (Miranda Hunt) Celley; seven grandchildren and  their spouses; Caitlin (Ian) Ackermann, Camden (Acadia) Celley, Darren (Rachel) Celley, Kyle (Alexis) Celley, Alisha (Jordan) Hale, Cadence Celley, and Nora Celley, and three great grandsons; Blake, Bryce, and Corbin. He also leaves behind his sister Mary Lou Cole, and  brother Glenn (Tommy) Dailey. He is predeceased by his mother Katherine Symonds, sister Rose Schmidt, and two brothers, Lloyd Dailey and Charles (Sonny) Lamphere. 

His ashes will be scattered in the places he loved, and his memorial stone will be in the Durant Cemetery in Cabot. There will be an informal gathering in his memory at his home on Saturday, June 21st, 2025, at 2 o’clock for those who wish to come. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please send donations to the Cabot Ambulance.

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