October 6, 1937 – December 14, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Lino Joseph Celeste on Dec. 14 at the Turnbull Nursing Home. He was 88 years old.
Lino was born on October 6, 1937, in Hamilton, Ontario to Ovidio an Italian immigrant and Rose. While he was still an infant, they moved to Minto, New Brunswick where his father found work as a coal miner. It was here that he would spend his formative years and many of his values were shaped by growing up with his five siblings in the small tight knit community.
Upon graduation from high school, Lino went on to obtain an Electrical Engineering Degree from UNB Fredericton in 1960. While attending UNB he met and married Joan, later having two children, Chris and Terry.
After graduating he accepted a position with NBTel in Saint John, and outside of a four-year period in the 1970’s with JD Irving LTD, would spend his entire career there. Over the next twenty years he would hold many roles and was eventually appointed President and CEO in 1987. He retired from NBTel in 2005 but remained on the Board of Directors. During his tenure NBTel was a North American leader in the telecommunications sector. He believed in superior customer service, cost leadership through product innovation and commitment to career learning. He and his team leveraged these competitive advantages and collaborated with provincial politicians to bring large outside business investments to New Brunswick. Lino always credited his success to the terrific and motivated employees who worked there. He loved in-person office visits, being on first name basis with employees and walk-around management. He believed that productivity and good ideas came from everywhere in the organization.
He became Chairman of the Board of Bruncor (1995) and Bell Aliant (1999) where he oversaw the merger of the Atlantic Canada telephone companies. He retired in 2002.
Before and after retirement he served on the board of directors of many companies and business organizations such as NB Power, Atomic Energy of Canada, Manulife Financial Corporation, Avenor Corp and many others.
Lino had an entrepreneurial spirit and along with his good friend and business partner Gerry Lawson started GLC Realty with interests in commercial, residential, and retail properties.
Lino was very community-minded and believed you should be involved in helping whatever way you could, from leading large fundraisers or steaming planks for the Marco Polo restoration, it all mattered. Some of the main volunteer committees he was involved with included: Chair of the Board of St. Joseph’s Hospital, President Saint John Board of Trade, Member of the Saint John Business Community Anti-Poverty Group, Chairman of the Board Greater Saint John Community Foundation as well as contributions to many others.
Modest and unassuming, we are not sure he would want us to tout all his accomplishments. However, because of his dedication to the community he received multiple awards including YM-YMCA Red Triangle Award, Queens Golden Jubilee Medal, The Canada 125 Medal, The Board of Trade President Award, Inducted into The New Brunswick Hall of Fame, The Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship, and Honorary Doctorate in Science by UNB.
Lino’s involvement in the many companies above allowed him to travel the world and indulge in his love of history and cultures. However, he always claimed there was no better place than New Brunswick.
Not one for sitting still, he had many hobbies and interests.
He had a passion for hunting and salmon fishing which he passed on to his sons. His camps were a place to share with family, friends, and strangers so they could enjoy all New Brunswick had to offer.
He enjoyed making wine (his signature Vino by Lino), country music, gardening, and woodworking.
He spent many evenings in the basement with his good friend Art Hovey sipping “Vino by Lino” and dreaming up their next project or fishing trip.
He was a long-time member of the Noocyt Investment Club and the Cliff Club.
He enjoyed being with people, sharing a drink, having a laugh and spirited debates, whether it was weekday gatherings of the Millidgeville coffee club, Saturday morning breakfasts at the Aquarius Tavern, or fishing club meetings.
Above all Dad was an awesome Father, a man to be proud of. During our youth he somehow found time to stay involved in all our activities. As our lives progressed, he was always there for guidance and support.
Later in life we would take second stage to the grandchildren whom he simply loved and adored. Grampy rarely missed attending any of their activities and had great memories of family gatherings and trips together.
In summary, he was a remarkable man with a brilliant mind, coupled with common sense and extraordinary work ethic. He treated everyone with respect, dignity and valued their individuality. Lino had a strong moral compass and was uncompromising in terms of his values. He was kind, generous, fearless, confident, strong-willed, and respected. A small-town boy from Minto who made the world a better place.
He is survived by Joan (Coholan) the mother of his children, his sons Chris (Christene) of Wards Creek and Terry (Anik) of Quispamsis and grandchildren Alexis, Cali, Matt, and Charlie. He is also survived by his brother Murray (Jenny) of Burlington, Ontario, sister Brenda Jamieson of Stephensville, Ontario, brother-in-law Jim Carr of Burlington Ontario along with several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his Father (Ovidio) and Mother (Rose), brother Joey, sisters Bettina (Bunny) Carr and Elisa Dunham, nephews David Dunham and Craig Celeste.
We would like to thank the doctors and nurses of both the Saint John Regional and St. Joseph’s Hospital as well as the healthcare workers of Shannex and the Turnbull Home for the care he received in his final years.
Visitation will be at Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (506-634-7424) on Thursday, Dec.18 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Dec. 19 from 1-4 pm at the Delta Ballroom.
In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations be made to the Greater Saint John Community Foundation or the Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI).
