[Nfbf-l] Sad news

[Brian Norton]

Last Spring, 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 DBS attitude of providing minimum student independent 
living and job readiness and then sending those 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 
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. However, because of 
his belief in our federation and his efforts to raise our group 
consciousness, I hope our fellow 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 by his wife, Jean, his brother, Ron, 
numerous grateful friends and incalculable wonderful memories.
Peter was a  loving and helpful   good friend to me, my partner Earline 
and her son Bill outman, and numerous NFB members. Peter Cerullo will 
be   sincerely missed, but never forgotten

Brian Norton
NFB Daytona Beach chapter


Original message:
> Florida federationists,

> We lost another leader in our affiliate. Peter Cerullo passed away. He 
> worked for years at the rehabilitation center for the blind, Daytona 
> chapter president and Vice President, and served on our state board.  
> He encouraged everyone.

> I hear the service will be next Wednesday.

> Please share your support to the Cerullo family and members of the 
> Daytona chapter.

> With love and hope, Denise Valkema, President NFBF

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