Norman David Cella, age 48 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died peacefully on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at Hunterdon Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

Norman, III was born to his parents, Theresa and Norman Cella on September 9, 1974. He was an intelligent child full of mischief and fearlessness. His parents ensured that he received his sacraments and early education at Saint Benedict’s Roman Catholic Church in Holmdel. In his childhood, he developed many lifelong friendships, who he remained friends with until the day he passed. Norm completed his high school education at Saint John Vianney, striving for academic excellence, where he ultimately earned admission to Middlebury College. There, he excelled and earned a major in History with a minor in German.

Following the completion of his college education, Norm made the noble decision to serve his country in the Marine Corps. He completed Officer Candidate School in the summer of 1995. Norm was an infantry marine earning the rank of Captain, who was willing to sacrifice anything for his fellow marines. With the 2nd Marine Division First Battalion 8th Marines, he toured the Mediterranean and served in Okinawa. He was a man bred for war and ready to serve his country in whatever way was needed, the ultimate symbol of patriotism. In the Marine Corps,  Norm was granted the call sign, WARCHILD, by his commanding officer, a nickname has never been so fitting.

Following his time in the Marine Corps, Norm worked his way up through corporate America. Norm’s corporate career was anything but the standard. For Norm, his time was spent as a leader and a mentor. His hiring process was more than just finding a candidate to fill a position, but rather finding someone whom he could mentor. His interviews consisted not only of talks of salary, but of life-long goals of his employees and how Norm could help those he worked with attain those goals. He didn’t just leave the house in the morning to go to work, he went to change the trajectory of people’s lives for the better.

Ultimately, Norm fell in love with his wife Sarah Fessler. From the moment he met Sarah, his life began to change forever in the best possible way. Sarah and Norm met at Panzone’s Pizza, where they both spent the summers in their early twenties working in Beach Haven, NJ, in Long Beach Island. They dated for five years and married in November of 2000, just before his deployment. Their love story was iconic and that of summer love; no two people could have been more perfect for each other. Norm and Sarah had their first child, Hannah, in June of 2001, and were later blessed with four boys; Norman IV, William, Andrew, and Jacob, and continued their love story through their five children. They built their family on a foundation of faith and solidarity to one another.

Norm raised his children to mirror his strength and fearlessness. They carry on his determination and strive for excellence in all they do. Norm was instrumental in turning his children into the people they are today. He coached all of his boys in football, T-ball, and wrestling. He was a persistent advocate for their success in sports, while also emphasizing the importance of academic excellence and faith in God. He raised his daughter to be strong and pursue anything she wished, comforting her with the assertion that whatever she decided to pursue she would be successful. Norm encouraged all of his children to persevere, his montra being, “Never sell yourself short.” Norm’s words were taken to heart, his daughter, Hannah graduated college a year early from the University of South Carolina Summa Cum Laude, as a Division I athlete and has just finished her first semester at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Norman IV, his namesake, reflects his father’s astounding intellect and has maintained a perfect grade point average since birth. William is a captain of the varsity wrestling team at Hunterdon Central Regional High School as a Junior and reflects his father’s impeccable work ethic. Andrew retains his father’s knack for problem solving, his fearless demeanor as well as his deep love for his family and loyalty to those who he surrounds himself with. Jacob, the youngest of the Cella clan, was a star quarterback on his peewee football team as a result of Norm’s coaching skills. His children will continue to live out Norm’s dreams for him.

Norm was a symbol of strength for many in the community. He was incredibly loved and touched the lives of so many, as a coach, as a husband, as a son, as a brother, as a member of the community, and most importantly as a father. Norm spent much of his life devoting to others. He was someone that would ride to the ends of the Earth for the people he loved. He will remain forever in our hearts and those surviving him will continue to honor his memory. Norm is remembered as one who was renowned for his incredible strength and tough demeanor, but was one who loved deeply.  He was ready to ride into battle at any moment in his life, always prepared for adversity in any way it dared cross his path.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah Cella; children; Hannah, Norman, William, Andrew, and Jacob; mother and father, Theresa and Norman Cella; sister, Simone; mother and father-in-law, Sally and William Fessler; brothers-in-law, Jim Miller, Stephen Fessler, and Ryan Fessler; sisters-in-law, Christina and Tanja Fessler; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by the Very Rev. Timothy A. Christy will take place on Friday, January 13, 2023, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Magdalen Church, 105 Mine Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Friday morning beginning at 10:15 a.m. Please follow the instructions of Wright & Ford Family Care Team upon arrival.

Following Mass, all are welcome to join the family at the Flemington Elks for a time of food and fellowship from Noon to 4:00 p.m., where memories and stories of Norm will be shared.

Interment will be private.

Complete arrangements are under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

You are encouraged to visit Norm’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Norm’s honor may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, online by clicking HERE or to the Wounded Warrior Project, online by clicking HERE.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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