[NFBF-L] [NFBF-Daytona] We remember Peter Cerullo

[Kathy Davis]

Brian, Peter was one of my closest friends and I will miss him always. Thank
you for sharing your thoughts. 

 

God bless,

 

Kathy

 

 

From: NFBF-Daytona [mailto:nfbf-daytona-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
Brian Norton via NFBF-Daytona
Sent: Monday, February 17, 2020 11:47 AM
To: NFB of Florida Greater Daytona Beach Chapter List
Cc: Brian Norton; NFBF-Daytona; phyllis.heath at dbs.fldoe.org;
robert.doyle at dbs.fldoe.org; Stacey.wohlrab at dbs.fldoe.org;
sametcalf at outlook.com; ironman59 at cflrr.com; jeff.whitehead at dbs.fldoe.org;
Denise Valkema; pastordave3 at aol.com; NFB of Florida Internet Mailing List
Subject: [NFBF-Daytona] We remember Peter Cerullo

 

Dear NFBF friends,

In the  Spring of 2017, I was first introduced to Peter  Cerullo when I
became a new student at the DBS Daytona Center for Rehabilitation and
Training of the Blind.  Peter was already a school legend as a kind and
caring teacher. More importantly, My fellow classmates appreciated his
intense unique approach to encourage all students to raise their own future
personal goals towards useful employment. Peter struggled against the
established attitude of providing minimum student independent living and job
readiness and then sending those unemployed students back to their previous
sedentary home environments. He strongly believed  that he should not only
be a mentor  but also a job placement specialist.

 

Peter was a Transplant from New Jersey where he had several very successful
diverse careers, including ownership of a restaurant on the famous Atlantic
City Boardwalk. 

When he became  blind and  moved to Florida about 20 years ago, he went back
to school and graduated from Daytona State College.  While obtaining his
degree, Peter met and married his wife Jeannie. He is still well- known to
the administration and staff at Daytona State College because of his
memorable and gregarious personality. His humorous nature also made Peter
Cerullo a widely known character   with most Daytona  Beach community civic
organizations, including  city hall, numerous
churches, and especially potential business employers   of his job seeking
blind students.

 

Within the NFB, he was always involved in our Daytona Beach chapter
activities. He encouraged shy members to accept official positions  and
assisted them in learning needed organizational skills.  Peter Cerullo was
the central keystone in our chapter foundation. Because of his belief in our
federation and his efforts to raise our group consciousness, I am certain
our chapter members will retain our common bonds and commitment  to the NFB
to which Peter Cerullo dedicated  Much energy  and love.

 

Peter Cerullo  is survived not only by his wife, Jean,  and family, but also
by numerous  friends and incalculable wonderful memories.

Our local Daytona Beach chapter is eternally grateful for Peter's impact on
each member's lives. Everyone agrees that they would never have progressed
to their present active independent accomplishments  without Peter's
encouragement and advice. No GDB member can remember any occasion when Peter
did not extend his    personal time and attention to the problems of others,
whenever requested. 

Peter was a  loving and helpful   good friend to me, my partner Earline and
her son Bill outman, and numerous other Daytona Beach NFB members. Peter
Cerullo will be   sincerely missed by  everyone who was touched by his
spirit, and  will never be forgotten

Peter died on  2-22-2018

Brian Norton

NFBF Greater Daytona Beach chapter president

386.871.3359