Raymond E. DeCelle, Jr

Raymond E. DeCelle, Jr., 75, of Gulfport, died Thursday, October 26, 2006 in Gulfport. Mr. DeCelle was born August 15, 1931 in Quincy, MA to Raymond E. DeCelle, Sr. and Gertrude DJerf DeCelle. He was a resident of Gulfport for 58 years, moving here when he was assigned to Keesler AFB while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Following his military career, Mr. DeCelle was an employee of civil service at the Gulfport Navy Base. He then joined the Gulfport Police Department where he and Craig Monroe were the first motorcycle officers in Gulfport. Mr. DeCelle also served as Superintendent of Police for the City of Gulfport during the administration of Mayor Philip Shaw. Following his law enforcement career, Mr. DeCelle was a contractor and the owner of D & M Construction. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Carol DeCelle; and an infant son, Richard. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Barbara Monroe DeCelle; his children, Kim DeCelle, Mike DeCelle, Terri DeCelle, Steve DeCelle and his wife, Debbie, David DeCelle and his wife, Dawn, Charlotte Miller and her husband, John; Mike Smith, Jeff Smith, and Gina Strickland; a sister, Marjorie Carnes; and brother Jack DeCelle and his wife, Barbara; thirteen grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; and his loving poodle, Mackey. There will be a memorial service Monday, October 30, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport where friends may visit from 5:00 p.m. until the service. The family wishes to extend special thanks to Sue and Hayward Hargrove, Dr. Hansel Janet, and Trinity Hospice, especially Bonita. The family prefers memorials to one's favorite charity.