John L. Calicchia
John L. Calicchia, 96, of Rome, passed away on Thursday, May 2, 2019 in the Rome Memorial Hospital.
He was born on January 11, 1923 in Rome, the son of Francesco and Matilda Calicchia. He was married to Anne T. Valloze, a blessed union until her passing in 1996.
He graduated from Rome Trade School, and worked for the war effort at General Cable, after studies, on the 8 to midnight shift. Post-graduation he proudly served in the US Navy with the Seabees, where he was in the Asian and European Theatres during WW II. He went on to college in Indiana, graduating with an engineering degree. While a field rep for various companies, driving to assignments, seeing sports and cultural events after work hours; he went from working on the muck as a boy, to GE, and the 485th at GAFB where he retired in 1985. He had a great life in the Country his parents came to, hoping for such a future for their children. A life member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus he was a devoted Catholic and parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church and our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Verona.
He found being a Boy Scout valuable and loved baseball attending some World Series games, SU basketball and sports in general. He was able to play some great golf courses after learning the game as a caddie at Teugega; played in different leagues winning trophies he proudly displayed in the home he grew up in and helped care for. He was into healthy living, giving up smoking he picked up during the war, believing in exercise, etc. He always tried to be there for his loved ones and help wherever he could.
John is survived by his beloved children, John M. Calicchia and Anne M. Calicchia and a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Anne T. his parents, his sisters Lena, Mary, Margaret and Helena and his brothers, Giuseppe, Primo, Joseph and Albert.
A special note of thanks to the VA and their Home Based Care team, the Staff at Betsy Ross and Rome Memorial Hospital, Fr. Castronovo for years of Communion visits, Fr. Angelicchio, Fr. Kennedy and all the priests who checked on him a lot in the hospital.
Funeral services have been entrusted to the Bottini Funeral Home, 120 W. Embargo St., with a Mass to be celebrated on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 210 E. Dominick St. with a visiting hour from 1-2 p.m. at the Church prior to the Mass. Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie, NY.
In lieu of flowers please make a contribution in John’s name to Mercy Flights at Griffiss (air ambulance) or St. Jude’s Children Hospital. Envelopes will be available at the Church.
