by Dakota Antelman
Family, friends, and citizens gathered at the newly erected Paul Cellucci Memorial on Sunday morning to remember former governor, diplomat, and state legislator: Paul Cellucci. Amidst testaments to his political commitment, Cellucci was remembered and loved Sunday for his standing commitment to Hudson, no matter where his career took him.
The dedication included performances by the Hudson High School band, as well as speeches from Hudson Rotary Club members, local politicians and Cellucci’s family. The service attracted over one hundred attendees and focused on Cellucci’s long-standing legacy in Hudson and abroad.
“I loved the presentation of the flags; everybody had something to say about Paul,” said Hudson Rotary Club member Lee Dinner. “Just the idea of having these benches here and having this memorial here, it was so great. Teachers come into my store. They’ve said they’ll bring their class up there and teach a history lesson. That’s what we want. That’s what Jan wants. Not just for her and her family but for the town, and it worked out great.”
The service highlighted those who knew Cellucci best, while also serving as a platform for members of the community to express their gratitude for the months of work that went into building the memorial.
Karen Polito, the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts, described Cellucci as a political and personal mentor.
“In my public service, starting off as a selectman in Shrewsbury, he called upon me often to engage in conversation and also to encourage me to do more,” she said in an interview after the conclusion of the ceremony. “He asked me to run for my first political office in the legislature, and he encouraged me every step of the way thereafter. I was always inspired by his deep devotion to his community, love of work and his work ethic.”
Jan Cellucci, Cellucci’s widow, wrapped up the ceremony about an hour after it started. She thanked the town of Hudson and declared how she wanted the memorial to be a place for all within the community to come out and remember her husband. As she left the podium, Hudson Rotary Club member Richard Harrity stepped forward to present her with a $10,000 donation to the Cellucci foundation, which raises money for ALS research.
She joked, “I told my grandkids this wasn’t going to be a fundraiser; I guess I lied.”
The Rotary Club and Board of Selectmen consulted with her regularly throughout the process.
“When we first started, I called her to tell her what we were thinking about doing, and she said it was very important for the town to be involved,” said Hudson Selectman Joseph Durrant. “She said Paul would have wanted the Board of Selectmen to be involved and to make the decision as to where it went. When we talked about the possibility of having it down at Town Hall, she thought it was a great location for it. She was terrific.”
Jan Cellucci was happy to share her husband’s memorial with the town on Sunday. Two years after he died, Jan still struggles with his death. The memorial allows not only her, but the entire town of Hudson to remember.
“I miss Paul more every single day, and these events remind me of how much I miss him. But I also know that ALS was a dreadful diagnosis. I wouldn’t want him to withstand one more moment of it,” she explained. “And the fact that this memorial has been built is just a wonderful opportunity for the townspeople to celebrate public service and to celebrate what happened in this small hometown.”