Obituary of Vincent R. Calarco

WESTFIELD - Vincent R. Calarco, age 92, of Westfield, died Thursday, April 14, 2016 at the VA Medical Center in Erie, PA, with his family by his side following an extended illness. Vincent was born on May 18, 1923 in Westfield, NY, a son of the late Virginio John and Jenny (Squillace) Calarco. He married Charlotte DuChaine on September 2, 1950 at St. James in Westfield, NY. A Westfield resident all his life, Vincent was a 1941 graduate of Westfield Academy where he excelled in sports. He grew up loving sports and spent much of his youth at the YMCA. In high school he excelled in four varsity sports - football, basketball, baseball and track. In fact, he was so good, he earned 15 out of 16 total letters, the most any student could receive, and picked up a large collection of all-conference awards and medals in tournaments along the way. He was inducted to the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame in 2014 He was drafted into the US Army in 1943 and was a member of the 89th Division, 3rd Army and the 550th AAA infantry during World War II, serving under General George S. Patton, spending much of his time in combat throughout the European Theater. While in England waiting to come home, Calarco was in charge of intramural sports. Vincent hosted the 550th Infantry reunions for many years in Westfield. Vincent's life wasn't all school, sports, and the Military. He was the son of two hard-working restaurant owners and Vincent had to help in the family business. His family operated Calarco's Restaurant in Westfield, where he began working at the age of 13 and once home from the War, he returned to the Restaurant where he and his wife and children carry on the tradition of serving terrific food and great Italian dishes. Vincent formed the Calarco Trojans semi-pro basketball team, which began playing area teams in the Merchant League and eventually the Chautauqua County Basketball Association for more than seven years. He also formed baseball and football teams, which continued for 24 years and played football with the Jamestown team in 1948-49. He owned a team and played Baseball for the NY-PENN League in the 1950's. At that point, Calarco took on a whole new role as a basketball referee and for the next 50 years, traveled throughout the area officiating hundreds of games. He was honored on April 30, 2006 by the International Assoc. of Approved Basketball Officials for his 50 years of service. He was a communicant of St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church of Westfield and a Member of the Fr. Daniel Early Council 3100 Knights of Columbus. Vincent was the civil defense director in Westfield for 38 years and had been a member of the Westfield Planning Board, a Charter member of the Westfield Kiwanis Club, the Westfield Business Association and was part of the Legion Marching Squad. He had been the Director of the former Westfield Auxiliary Police Unit. He was also a Charter member of the Chautauqua County Investment Club and a founding father of the Crossroads Market in Westfield. Vincent was so proud of his community of Westfield and was always looking for ways to promote and improve Westfield. He was instrumental in the construction and implementation of the Westfield information booth at the Daniel Reid Pier. He was Life member and Past Commander of the John W. Rogers Post 327 American Legion of Westfield and a member of the Mayville VFW Post 8647 where he was a member of the Cribbage Club. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose #118 of Westfield. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Charlotte (DuChaine) Calarco , his daughter, Gini (Mark) Gollnitz of Westfield, NY and his son, Steven (Amy) Calarco of Jamestown, NY; Vincent was the proud grandfather of Robert (Melanie) Michael Gollnitz, Brian Mark Gollnitz, Holly Kristine Gollnitz, Michael (Joyce) Anthony Calarco, Bethany (Jeremy) Elise Hasson and Katy Elizabeth Calarco. He is further survived by his Great Grandchild, Deegan Vincent Gollnitz, and his sister, Geraldine Harper of Westfield, NY. Many Nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Calarco, who died on April 12, 2010, and by his 2 sisters, Theresa Russo and Grace Trippy, as well as by his 2 brothers, Carl and Anthony Calarco. Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St., Westfield, NY on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 2PM until 6 PM and are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church, 15 Union St., Westfield NY on Monday morning, April 18, 2016 at 11 AM with Fr. Joseph Walter officiating. Burial will be in St. James Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St, Dominic RC Church, 15 Union St., Westfield, NY 14787 or to the VAMC, Unit 4, 135 East 38th St., Erie, PA 16504. Log on to www.masonfuneral.com to send the Calarco family a message of sympathy, to light a Memorial Candle or for further information.