Robert Joseph Calcaterra

Robert Joseph Calcaterra, 67, of Herrin, IL, born October 1, 1955 to Joseph Anthony and Eva Mae (Poole) Calcaterra passed away in Marion, IL on November 22, 2022. Bobby was born and raised in Herrin, Illinois. He moved to Northern Illinois in his teens and spent most of his life working there before returning to Southern Illinois in retirement. He spent many years as a roofer before starting a second career as a trucker. He was hard a worker, who always had time to talk about his cargo, his truck, the traffic, or the weather. His calloused hands always found work to do, even after retirement. Anyone lucky enough to have Bobby as a houseguest would often wake up to a clean house and a warm breakfast.

He was a committed and faithful father. No distance was too great a drive to see his girls. His daughters have many memories of their dad showing up at school events with a smile on his face even after working a full week and driving hundreds of miles. He continued to be a present and loving father throughout their lives and extended this same love and adoration to his daughters’ husbands and children. He traveled all over the country, and even across continents, to spend time with his family. He took trips to Canada to be with his brother and his family, as well as back home to Herrin to be with his beloved sister. He came to desire traveling for leisure later in life and was able to see places like Italy, Australia, and Hawaii. Bobby was a long-term resident of Peoria, IL and Joliet, IL. He came home to Southern Illinois in 2020.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Tara Calcaterra. He is survived by his sister Rena Absher, brother Frank (Janet) Calcaterra, daughters Katherine (Daniel) Rendleman and Megan (Matt) Calcaterra, grandchildren Charlotte, Henry, Annabelle, Joanna, Paul, Emmett, Katherine, Ashley, Kimberly, Matilda, Christina, great-grandson Matteo, girlfriend Jenifer Evans, nieces and nephew Daron, Stephanie, Niki, and Katie, and lifelong friends Mark and Mary Ellen Smith.

A memorial will be held to celebrate Bobby on December 31st at 10am at Christian Covenant Fellowship, 1025 South Division, Carterville, Illinois, 62918