He is a 1951 honor graduate from St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket, RI and recipient of the Latin Medal there; he also played football for the 'Saints' earning Class A honors several times. He was also the recipient of a football scholarship to Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, he was drafted and is an U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of the Army's Leadership School. He received his BS Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rhode Island in 1961; he also translated mathematical papers in French to English as part of his work-study program there. He also served as a mentor and tutor for his fellow students in several courses at URI but is better and humorously remembered for tutoring students in their challenging statistics class; all of whom received a grade of 'A' while he earned a 'B'. He entered government service at the United States Naval Underwater Ordnance Station at Newport, RI. pursuing graduate studies at the University of Rhode Island while working as a full-time Instrumentation Engineer and raising a family. He was awarded an MS Degree in Electrical Engineering [Control Systems] in 1965 and the PhD in Electrical Engineering [Nonlinear Adaptive Control Systems in 1973] from the University of Rhode Island.

In 1964, he took the position as Technical Assistant to the Laboratory Director for Control and Information Systems at NASA's Electronic Research Center. He was then appointed Technical Advisor to the Deputy Director of the Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle [DSRV] Program at MIT's Draper Laboratory in 1966. Program responsibility included technical program reviews and the assessment of guidance, control and display systems, laboratory real-time [man-in-the-loop] and computer simulations. He also served as a Guidance & Control Engineer with Raytheon's Missile Systems Division. In 1970, Dr. Colella served as the Technical Assistant to various program managers at the Transportation Systems Center of the United States Department of Transportation. In 1978, he returned to the United States Naval Undersea Warfare Center until his retirement in 1993 after 33 years of government service. This most recent assignment [lasting 25 years] involved the mathematical modeling of complex systems, expert system development, communications systems [where he teamed with members of the United States submarine fleet in the analysis of tactical communications]. In 1989, he served as Technical assistant to the Associate Director for Research and Technology. He was responsible for the conception, analysis and development of emerging technology assessment methodologies. He also served as Program Manager for the Center's Industrial Research & Development Program.

Upon his retirement in October of 1993, Dr. Colella was awarded membership in the 'Order of the Decibel' for his outstanding contributions and dedication in the areas of artificial intelligence and the mentoring of the Center's new professionals, and providing leadership in the Center's Industrial Research & Development Program. In particular, for his organization and management of the Center's IR&D Symposium with industry that become a model for the future of government and industrial interactions. It is important to note that this particular award is made selectively to retiring staff members who have contributed broadly and significantly to advancing the overall performance of the Center's mission.

Upon his retirement from government service, Dr. Colella extended his 30 years of teaching and mentoring within the government and, more formally, in both undergraduate and graduate programs [at various colleges and universities] and, then, by joining the faculty at the School of Technology at Johnson & Wales University. His areas of teaching there included all levels of mathematics, communications, robotics, artificial intelligence, instrumentation, control systems, systems analysis, modeling and simulation. His classes gave equal attention and emphasis to those skills needed to be successful in a specific technological area but, more importantly, to those skills [he always referred to them as the 'keys of life' that are needed to 'open doors' of opportunity] required for life success as an individual. In 1995, he was appointed as Head of the School of Technology and became the prime facilitator for upgrading all technology curricula and programs. He was principal advocate and mover for the integration of relevant areas of technology into all academic programs at the University.

During his 43 years of professional service, he became a mentor, advocate, facilitator, friend, confidant and, more often than not, a father-figure to myriad students and even some of the faculty. He always considered this particular role-and family, community, government and military service-as the most formative, meaningful and rewarding phases of his life. Whatever the arena, Dr. Colella always found a way [often creatively] to 'make a difference'. Once asked "Why?" about these roles, he simply replied that "Other people-some unknown to me-made a difference within my lifetime so why not 'pass it on' [aka 'paying it forward']. He was a walking and talking reminder that "Each of us really stand on the shoulders of others!" and "From those to whom much is given, much is expected!"

He has authored/co-authored more than 50 papers, articles, books, reports in his expertise and experienced areas of technology and management. He presented papers at a number of professional conferences where he sometimes received the 'best paper' award.

In parallel with his 43 years of professional activity, he was quite active in outreach and community service to those in need and, most importantly, being an advocate and mentor for his family, children and his 15 grandchildren. Some of these activities beyond the family included Big Brothers, advocate of teens within his faith community, Literacy Volunteers of America [LVA], Random Acts of Kindness, fund raising for families in need, home repair ministry and active supporter of Saint Raphael Academy where he served as scout for its football teams and was a founder of the Saints Club-an organization that was very much an advocate of the athletic programs in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. This latter activity was fueled by his awareness and appreciation that his years at Saint Raphael Academy were most formative for him. His outreach and community service activities were many but he always saw them as opportunities!

Additionally, he was the initiator, motivator and facilitator of efforts for addressing the needs of those in poverty and despair. His book with Steven Lippincott, Let's Start with the Children [published in 2013] relates the heart-breaking but also heart-warming and inspirational events of a 15 year ministry with the children and families of the challenging environment of the South Bronx in New York City. It was this ministry that was the inspiration for Let's Start with the Children which, in turn, became the inspirational force enabling the writing [with co-author, Joseph H. Crowley] and the publication of Poverty & Despair versus Education & Opportunity.