Victor Salvatore Cecelia

Victor Cecelia passed away June 27, 2018 at his home in Winchester, WI, with his loving companion at his side. Victor Salvatore Cecelia was born November 14, 1943 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin of immigrant parents Salvatore Cecelia and Betty Pauline Bruy of Italy and Sicily. Vic's father died unexpectedly when Vic was 6 years old, and his mother raised Victor and his younger sister Joanne. The family eventually moved to Park Falls, Wisconsin where Betty ran a resort with the help of a very young Victor, who felt it was his duty to step up and be the man of the family. Vic attended several schools in the area. Although bright, Vic did not care much for school. He became an avid outdoorsman, learned to hunt, and was an exceptional fishing guide throughout his younger years. He learned to drive at the age of 10, to help his mother who did not drive. Driving became his lifelong passion. Vic started out street drag racing and knew he was good. He learned how to soup up cars and studied every aspect of race cars. Others car enthusiasts began coming to him for advice, and it wasn’t long before Vic knew he wanted to race. Gifted with super fast reflexes, Vic won many races on the circuit, and soon earned the nickname “quick-Vic”. During his early racing days, he met the love of his life, Janet Rae Johnson. They married in 1964, raised one daughter, Vinette, and also opened their home to Janet’s niece Susan Clancy. Vic, along with a few partners/investors, opened a “speed shop” for high performance cars. He worked hard to get the business up and running and the business flourished. One of the proudest moments in Vic’s life was the acquisition of his pilots license. He loved to fly, until ill health forced him to give it up. Vic worked in charge of maintenance at a nursing home for several years. His beloved Janet passed away from brain cancer in her 50’s, only a few years after they had built their dream retirement home at Rainbow Lake in Winchester, Wisconsin. Vic lived the remainder of his life in Winchester, surrounded by his loving dogs and cats. He was known as the Corvette guy by many friends, and could always be seen wearing his Corvette cap. In 2011, he met his friend and companion Prudy, and they shared the next 7 years together. Family members surviving are daughter Vinette (Cecelia) Silvers, granddaughter Ella Angel Silvers, sister Joanne, plus his special, much loved niece Susan, and several other nieces and nephews, He is also survived by many very special friends, including Mark Herian, Walter Semonoc, Marge Toma and her wonderful family, Ron and Dory Menozzi and Dennis Wolff. Vic will be remembered by the many people he helped throughout his lifetime, and for his loving heart. Vic was very giving to many charities, but one of his favorites was St. Jude's. Memorial gifts may be made in his name at St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, PO 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148 Please mention memorial ID 11331116

Victor Salvatore Cecelia

November 14, 1943 - June 27, 2018