John R. Calabrese
MADISON-John R. Calabrese, age 84, passed away after a lengthy illness surrounded by family and friends on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, at the Community Living Center in the Veterans Hospital.
He was born on May 19, 1927 in Pittsburgh, Pa., the son of Felix and Lena Calabrese. John served in the U.S. Air Force and was a veteran of World War II. He retired after 50 years of owning and operating the Madison Hearing Aid Center on East Washington Avenue. John gained much satisfaction from helping many people with their hearing loss over the five decades. He was well known for his gourmet cooking and enjoyed boating and camping with the family. John was a member of the Italian Workman’s Club, Eastside Business Men’s Club and the Elk’s Club.
He was a great dad and will be missed by his children, John (Maureen), Elaine (Ken Kimport), Robert (Cindy), Mark, Virginia (Craig Richardson), and Kevin; grandchildren, Andrea, Vincent, and Joseph (Melanie); great-grandchildren, Chalice, Greg Bray Jr., Brooklyn, Lillian, Zahay, and the family corgi, Benny; his brother, George (Resi`); niece, Kathy (Jim Kaplan); and sister-in-law, Eleanor Larkin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife of 47 years, Shirley.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.
Burial will be at Roselawn Memorial Park at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2012, with military rites being conducted.
Visitation will be held at the church from 2 p.m. until the time of Mass on Friday.
The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers that tended to John’s needs over the final months of his life. In particular, the VA Hospital, Oak Park Rehabilitation Center, BrightStar, Agrace HospiceCare, and finally a special thanks to the unbelievably kind and caring professionals of the VA Community Living Center. “Things will work out, they always do”~JR
Service:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2450 Atwood Avenue, Madison, at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012, with Monsignor Michael Hippee presiding.
