Gerald “Jerry” Calcagni, 93, of Belle Vernon, formerly of Smithton, went to meet his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. He was born on April 2, 1928, in Smithton, son of the late Emilio and Mary Marty Calcagni. Gerald was a graduate of Connellsville High School, after which he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving four years during World War ll as a hospital corpsman. He was trained at Bainbridge Maryland and Bethesda Naval Hospital. He served aboard the USS President Hayes APA20, San Francisco, Calif., and 2nd Engineering Battalion, 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was employed as a maintenance worker until his retirement in 1990, by the Jones Brewing Company in Smithton. Gerald was a member of the Tetelestai Church in Oakmont, the American Legion Post No. 790 in Smithton, and the VFW in Charleroi. Gerald was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and a great friend to many. He was notorious for the best chocolate chip cookies and pizzelles that he lavished on friends and family. He was an avid Steelers fan since the 1940s when his brother Ralph was a member of the team. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Mafalda Horrocks, Amelita Dorst, Mary Ratcliffe and infant sister Gloria Calcagni; brothers, Ralph “Cleo”, Elmit and Amel Calcagni; son, Shawn Calcagni; grandsons, Nathan Calcagni and Matthew Eland; and his former wife and mother of his children, Eula Peters. Left behind to grieve his loss and cherish his memory are sons, Gerald “Jerry” (Maggie) Calcagni Jr. of Sicklerville, N.J., and Dannel Calcagni of Brookline; daughters, Denise (Gary) Hillman of Rostraver Township, and Dianne (Kevin) Bucci of Belle Vernon; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. Gerald spent the last year under the care of the loving staff at Hallsworth House, Monessen. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the entire staff for the great care they provided. Family and friends will be received from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday at L.L. BARTHELS FUNERAL HOME INC., Second Street, Smithton. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Wayne Boring officiating. Burial will be in the West Newton Cemetery with military rites provided by Armburst Veterans Association.
