THE COLUMNS Vol. 27 No. 2 941-349-0194
Tara Woods Homeowners Association – www.twha.us
February 2016
| ISLAND VISITOR PUBLISHING, LLC | www.islandvp.com
Tara Woods Appreciation Day Honorees
~ Mary Nothnagel
Celeste and Tony Perre are a classy couple who have kept us looking classy at Tara Woods for years. Tony is responsible for the outstanding, green uniforms of the Magic softball team. They ordered the classy, monogrammed TW shirts and the state club shirts. They also ran the apparel shop in the Clubhouse for 14 years. But that is just the beginning of all they have done... Tony and Celeste were born and raised in the Bronx. They met at a party and dated before Tony left for duty in the US Navy. Celeste wrote to him every day for two years. That cemented the relationship. Soon after he returned from service they were married. For four years they lived in a one-bedroom Bronx apartment, welcoming daughter, Patti, and son, Billy, in this home. During this time Tony graduated from RCA’s Institute of Electronics School and worked at Republic Aviation. When it closed he got a job at Grumman Aerospace Corporation, eventually retiring after
25 years there. In time, he became the president of their retirement group for many years. An exciting chapter of their lives began when they purchased their new 3-bedroom home in West Babylon, Long Island, NY and baby Tina, soon arrived. During this time Celeste, after raising three children, worked for the Municipal Town of Babyon as Executive Assistant. Their neighbors were Dolores and Don Paeth and Ginny and George Owenburg. All become close friends eventually retiring to Tara Woods, thanks to Dolores.
The Perres purchased their Tara Woods home in 1988 and moved full time in 1991. Since that time, Tony has been on the Board of the TWHA, President of the Bowling League for 7 years, President of the New York Club and point person in the process to purchase the Tara Woods Park in 2000. After hours of hard work the vote failed! Celeste is presently on the TWHA Board, was Treasurer of Bowling for over 4 years, as well as running the apparel shop. They both were in Chorus and Entertainers. They are blessed with their family, now including 7 grandchildren, and they have been married for 61 years. Celeste reports their love has stayed so strong because they never say, “I told you so!” (Wow, how do they do it?). They have given so much of themselves through the years which Tony believes is the secret of happiness. They certainly deserve to be our Honorees! Whenever you see the outstanding Magic uniforms, or the stylish state shirts, think of this exceptional, classy couple.
Thank you Celeste and Tony!