John B Calcagno

BRAINTREE - John B. Calcagno (Cal), 96, of Braintree, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sept. 22, 2020. Loving husband for 55 years of the late Ernestine (Cyr) Calcagno and predeceased by his brother, Albert Calcagno, he is survived by his beloved sister Inez Tombari and her husband Robert of W. Quincy. Devoted father to Dennis Calcagno and his wife Mary-Ann of Hull, Donna Perry and her husband David of Hull, Deborah Zolla and her husband David of Plainville, Daniel Calcagno and his wife Susan of Raynham, Denise Singer and her husband Steven of Raynham. Treasured Nono to his grandchildren Drew, Angelina, Hannah and John, and loving Uncle Johnny to his many nieces and nephews. 

Cal enlisted in the Coast Guard at 16 and proudly served his country as a Signalman on the LST 786 (Landing Ships Tanks) during WWII. His tours brought troops to the beaches of Iwo Jima, Guam, Okinawa, Philippines, China, Korea and Saigon until triumph in 1945. While in the service, he helped form a 15-piece swing band to entertain the troops. He was a self-taught, accomplished musician who played the standup base, mandolin and guitar.

During his well-lived life, Cal was employed by the Braintree School Department as a craftsman and held management positions for multiple supermarkets, including Stop & Shop. Once retired, Cal continued to work 30 hours a week at Stop & Shop’s produce department up until the day he passed. In charge of the cut fruit section, he was proud of his colorful work and called it his “jewelry” store. 

Cal was blessed with thoughtful neighbors, and he had a wide circle of wonderful friends from Stop & Shop, Jimmy’s and Olympia Diners, Dunkin Donuts and the Hingham Fire Department. Their glowing stories attest to their love and admiration for him and to whom he was an inspiration.  

Visiting hours at Peck Funeral Home, 516 Washington Street, Braintree, Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 9-11 a.m. and funeral services at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited. Interment to follow at Mt. Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy.

Memorial donations may be sent to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation (serving injured service members, Gold Star families and first responders), 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.

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