Joseph C. Calcaterra

Joseph Charles Joe Fat Calcaterra was born June 18, 1923, to Joseph and Jennie (Porro) Calcaterra, at their home in Herrin, Il. Joe attended St. Marys Catholic School and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin where he was an alter boy for many years. He graduated from Herrin Township High School in 1940; worked for the National Youth Administration doing odd jobs; helped to construct the new St. Marys School building in the early forties and worked at Old Ben #11 coal mine prior to entering the army on February 3, 1943. Joe entered the service at Ft. Hood, TX. In June, 1943, he went overseas to Africa; on to Naples, Italy; and participated in the Anzio invasion. His army division liberated Rome a day before the Normandy invasion and continued on to liberate many towns as they advanced through northern Italy. During this time he was able to visit his grandparents and extended family in Cuggiono, Italy. After his homecoming in October, 1945, he married his fianc of three years, Evelyn Margherio, on November 21, 1945, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church. This happy union was re-celebrated with family and friends during their 25th, 45th, 50th, 60th, and 65th anniversary parties. Joe returned to work in the coal mine; did car body work for Mezo Pontiac; and, beginning in 1949, became a route salesman for O. Calcaterra Distributing Company until his retirement in 1985. Joe was a member of the Eagles, VFW, American Legion, Teamsters, 1st Armored Division Association, Christopher Columbus Club, and was the last surviving charter member of the Pigeon Inn Club in Herrin. He served several years as a scout master and, in earlier years, played first base for the Stag softball team. From childhood, Joe was a die-hard Chicago Cub fan. He enjoyed attending high school sports events, especially football and basketball. As part of the Chain Gang he carried the down marker at the football games for 50 years. Joe was honored for his support of Herrin athletics by being named Grand Marshall of the homecoming parade in 1997 and inducted into the Herrin High School Hall of Fame in 2003. He rarely missed a basketball game and traveled, with his wife, to state tournaments yearly. After Joe and Evelyn retired and their granddaughters started participating in a variety of sports, they traveled extensively to support those teams. Joe and Evelyn were honored by SIU for never missing a softball game, in or out of town, for 2 years. In 2009, John A. Logan College honored both of them for supporting the basketball team. Joe and Evelyn traveled throughout the country and into Canada. He liked to see and experience his countrys beauty and history and share it with his children. He particularly liked beaches as vacation destinations. In 1990, almost 45 years to the date, he returned to Cuggiono, Italy, to once again visit family members. Joes other interest included bowling, photography, carpentry, gardening, and remodeling his home. After living a short time at the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, IL, at age 89, Joe died peacefully on Sunday, September 30, 2012, in Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Carbondale, IL. Besides his wife of 66+ years, he is survived by a daughter Cindy Calcaterra of Forney, TX; a son Terry Calcaterra of Herrin, IL; granddaughters Maggie (Shawna) Calcaterra of Herrin, IL and Marty (Mike) Cameron of Marion, IL; great-grandsons Cavan and Kale Cameron; great-granddaughters Kayli Jo Cameron & Kaitlyn Hill; a sister Erma Petroski; a niece Robbie (Rusty) Wiseman; great nephews Trenton Cannon and Jackson Wiseman; and great grand-nephew Mattox Cannon all of Herrin,IL. A funeral mass will be held at 11am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in Herrin with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Burial will follow at San Carlo Cemetery in Herrin with military honors provided by Herrins American Legion and VFW Posts and assistance from the Unites States National Guard. Visitation will be held from 5-8pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home and from 9:30am-10:30am on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin. For those who prefer, memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donors choice. Envelopes will be available and accepted at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home; 201 S 13th Street; Herrin, IL 62948. For more information, or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.hughesfuneralhomes.com