Nello Ceccarelli dies, RTM member noted for Christmas vigils

Nello Ceccarelli, a diminutive man of towering faith who loomed large in Fairfield political and civic life for more than a half-century, died Thursday at the age of 94.

Ceccarelli had one of the longest tenures in public office of any official in nearly four centuries of Fairfield history, serving as a member of the town's Representative Town Meeting for 55 years -- representing District 5 on the eastern side of town. A Democrat, he retired from the legislative body in 2007.

But Ceccarelli is best known, locally and far outside the town's borders, as the man who annually set up a small creche under the huge fir tree on Town Hall Green to maintain a three-day Christmas season vigil as a public testament to his faith in the Nativity.

As required by town ordinance, Ceccarelli staged his vigil for the three-day limit and kept watch over the religious display round-the-clock. The requirements were put in place by the town after Ceccarelli clashed with officials over setting up the Nativity scene on public property. A few times, the display had been dismantled by town crews.

Rules governing any religious display on public property were adopted as a compromise, and Ceccarelli abided by them faithfully. Standing watch over the creche, sometimes accompanied by a pet goat, he invited friends and the curious alike to join him in prayer and carols at any hour they might drop by over the course of three days leading up to Christmas.

Ceccarelli's last Christmas vigil, for a 23rd year, took place in 2005 when he was 90. By then, the controversy had largely faded and he won support even from those, who may not have shared his views, but admired his commitment. And though his own faith remained strong, his body was not. In 2006, he announced he could no longer maintain the three-day vigil, so local members of the Knights of Columbus took up the tradition.

Ceccarelli retired from the RTM the next year.

His career in local government was also notable for two long and somewhat Quixotic crusades. One, which met with more success, was a request that all town boards and commissions start their meetings with a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. The other, a reflection of his religious convictions in the face of court rulings to the contrary, called on public school officials to allow the recitation of prayers in the classroom.

"Nello was one incredibly passionate and religious person, with very strong convictions and a real capacity for activism," said First Selectman Kenneth Flatto, a fellow Democrat. "He loved people and going out there ... working to represent people."

About 10 years ago, Flatto secured two tickets to attend a service of the late Pope John Paul II in Westchester, N.Y. Knowing Ceccarelli's devotion to his Catholic faith, Flatto asked him if he wanted to join him. The answer was an enthusiastic yes.

"It was kind of just a very special moment, so spiritual no matter what your faith," recalled Flatto, who is Jewish.

When Ceccarelli retired from the RTM, Flatto presented him with a proclamation that acknowledged and thanked him for his decades of service to the community. They coined a new title for Ceccarelli, designating him an "RTM member emeritus forever."

"He had the full rights of any RTM member, except for voting, which he got a kick out of," Flatto said.

During a referendum on the town budget in the 1990s, Flatto recalled how signatures were slow to come in on the petition. But not after Ceccarelli got involved. Flatto said Ceccarelli, who was a member of the RTM at the time, stood outside CVS for two days straight to collect voter signatures. "It's democracy," Flatto remembered him saying.

One of Flatto's favorite memories of Ceccarelli was when he joined him going door-to-door during campaign season. Flatto said Ceccarelli had a slogan that he claimed helped him garner 100 extra votes each election: "My name is Nello. It rhymes with Jello. Please vote for me."

Longtime fellow RTM member from District 5, Joe Gall, remembered Ceccarelli as a man who was extremely tight with the public's money.

"He would say no to just about everything" that involved increasing public spending, Gall recalled.

But, he added, he was a good-hearted man of deep faith. Gall usually gave his colleague a ride to the monthly RTM sessions and Ceccarelli who would always make the sign of the cross when they passed in front of a Catholic church, he said.

Brenda Kupchick, a Republican who won a seat in heavily Democratic District 5 during Ceccarelli's tenure, said that after her election he had affectionately kidded her, saying he hoped she didn't plan to "get him."

That was highly unlikely, she laughed, saying that Ceccarelli was a "staple" of the Tunxis Hill neighborhood, and that despite his enduring popularity, he campaigned hard until the last even though his health was fragile.

Kupchick, too, recalled his, "Nello, rhymes with Jello" campaign slogan. "Everybody knew Nello in Tunxis Hill, especially the old-timers," she said. Long before she became politically active, she knew who Ceccarelli was because the truck that he used for his bleach business was a fixture in the area.

And despite their occasional political differences, Kupchick said she respected Ceccarelli as a man deeply committed to his values.

Reflecting on Ceccarelli's 50-plus year RTM career, Pat Hines, the editor of the Fairfield Citizen for 26 years before retiring last year, said, "Over the years, he was always the one to stand up and be on the side of the taxpayers."

Even so, she added, "His RTM activity was not nearly as important to him as his faith."

Hines, a Fairfield resident, remembered how Ceccarelli would come by the office just before Easter each year to drop off an announcement about the crucifixion re-enactment on Sherman Green. "It wasn't Easter if he didn't stop by," she said.

Ceccarelli was born in Bridgeport, but lived in Fairfield most of his life. He was an Army veteran of World War II, and was a salesman of household products.

In 2001, he was presented with the John J. Sullivan Award by the Democratic Town Committee for his service to the community. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion George A. Smith Post 74 and a past sachem of the Improved Order of Redmen.

Nello Ceccarelli was predeceased by his wife, Angeline Cupole Ceccarelli.

Survivors include a son, Robert Ceccarelli of Fairfield; daughters Carol Lucibello of Branford and Marilyn Rick of Milford; grandchildren Robert and Anthony Ceccarelli, Tanya Borja, Lara Pires, Gina, Matthew, Michael and Sara Lucibello, and Billy and Kellie Rick; two sisters, a brother, and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by a granddaughter Sabina and brothers Michael and John.

A funeral Mass took place Monday in Holy Family Church. Burial was private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great Council of Connecticut, Improved Order of Redmen, c/o Guy Boissonneault, 626 Overlook Path, Southington, CT 06489 (Attention: Alzheimer's Fund). To sign an online register, visit www.LeskoPolkefuneralhome.com.