John “Jack” Calandra, Nation Membership Highway, Cresson, handed away peacefully in his dwelling Tuesday. He was born in Cresson, son of the late Mary (Mucci) and Frank Calandra Sr.
He was preceded in dying by his beloved spouse of 66 years, Genevieve “Jenny” (Hart) who died Oct. 26, 2021; and his brother, Frank Calandra Jr., who handed away on Sept. 16, 2022.
He’s survived by his six youngsters: MaryAnn Shaw (Walter Shaw), Lilly, Pa.; Paul Calandra (Maureen Maruca), Loretto, Pa.; Joan Calandra, Los Angeles, Calif.; Michael Calandra (Karen Cicero), Pittsburgh, Pa.; Anthony Calandra (Tamara Batche), Alexandria, Va.; and Carol Lawrence (Bryan Lawrence), Leawood, Kan.; plus 10 grandchildren: Christopher Shaw (Susan), Jonathan Shaw (Amber), Samantha Hackenberg (Eric), Christina Companey (Shane), Mark Calandra, Alexis Calandra, John Robert “Dante” Calandra, Alexandria Lawrence, Mackenzie Lawrence and Jack Lawrence; and great-grandchildren: William and Joseph Shaw; Marion, Lucas and Kevin Hackenberg.
Jack’s priorities in life had been his religion, his spouse and his household. His passions included enterprise, golf and his neighborhood.
In 1955, Jack married his highschool sweetheart and the love of his life, Genevieve Hart (2021). Jack and Jenny had been fortunately married for 66 years and had been blessed with six youngsters. Jack and Jenny supplied a loving and caring surroundings characterised by sturdy Christian values and a extremely developed work ethic. They had been dedicated to their household, neighborhood and careers which had a profound affect on the person successes of every of their youngsters.
Jack was the president and proprietor of Cresson Metal Co., former president of Frank Calandra Inc., and co-founder of Jennmar Corp. He graduated from Cresson Excessive College and continued his post-secondary schooling on the Wharton College of Enterprise, College of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1954. There he was a member of the golf staff and president of the Kappa Alpha nationwide fraternity. After commencement, he served within the Military Nationwide Guard for 2 years. He then joined Frank Calandra Inc., owned by his dad and mom, Mary and Frank Calandra. All through the subsequent a number of years, Jack discovered the intricacies of the household enterprise and applied state-of-the-art enterprise insurance policies that helped to develop and develop Frank Calandra Inc. In 1965, Jack was joined by his brother Frank Calandra Jr. (2022) and collectively based Jennmar Corp. in 1972. Positioned in Cresson, Pa., this new manufacturing enterprise revolutionized roof management and security within the mining trade. Jennmar started manufacturing merchandise for underground mining, primarily roof bolts and roof plates that are used to assist the native underground coal mines. In a number of quick years, Frank and Jack had been in a position to develop Jennmar into three states, establishing manufacturing vegetation in West Virginia, Kentucky and Illinois. Jennmar skilled speedy progress and enlargement. At present, Jennmar employs over 3,000 individuals and operates 32 manufacturing and processing vegetation in North America with 4 extra manufacturing operations in Australia and China. His profession accomplishments had been many together with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute of Scrap and Recycling Business (ISRI). He was additionally inducted into the Better Johnstown/Cambria County Enterprise Corridor of Fame in 2015 the place he spoke of continuous the legacy of his father and mom. His philanthropic perception was, “If in case you have the means, assist different individuals.”
Jack’s father, Frank Sr., understood the connection between a very good golf sport and enterprise relationships, and due to this fact inspired Jack to be taught the sport. Jack understood that golf was his alternative to go away a legacy in his neighborhood. Not solely did Jack turn into a really achieved participant, attaining a scratch handicap and successful a number of membership championships at Summit Nation Membership, however he additionally took a powerful curiosity in enhancing the standard of the golf course on the Summit. He was accountable for attaining the bottom that will be used to develop Summit Nation Membership from a nine-hole golf membership to a premiere eighteen-hole championship course which opened in 1968. Jack, a member since 1946, beloved Summit Nation Membership, serving as president for a few years. All through his life, Summit Nation Membership was the beneficiary of his generosity, imaginative and prescient and data. He was additionally a member at Indiana Nation Membership, Sunnehanna Nation Membership and a founding member of Secessions Golf Membership, S.C. On any given day, Jack might be seen enjoying with newbies, professionals, and others who shared his ardour for golf. Jack’s love for the sport was shared with numerous mates throughout the nation on among the greatest golf programs on the planet, together with Augusta Nationwide. Jack and Jenny traveled the world enjoying golf with household and mates. They discovered a sure fondness for programs in Eire, Ballybunion being one in every of their favorites. There Jack turned a lifetime member, and the couple turned particular mates with the house owners of the native mattress and breakfast. They returned many occasions having fun with their time collectively touring and enjoying golf. So long as Jenny was round, Jack had a enjoying associate.
Jack’s lesser-known connections had been with the Navy, extra particularly, with the USA Naval Academy. Jack was an unofficial recruiter for Navy Soccer within the Sixties and he assisted a number of native younger athletes and tutorial prospects in gaining admission to Annapolis. Finally, Jack was honored with a trustee place for the Naval Academy Basis the place he served for greater than 25 years after which he was given emeritus standing.
Jack’s assist and affiliation with increased studying had been deep and huge. He was an ardent supporter of these establishments the place he attended, together with the Mercersburg Academy and the College of Pennsylvania. His assist of “The Pink Flash” athletics at Saint Francis College grew all through the years to incorporate all features of the college.
Throughout his whole grownup life, Jack has been a passionate and benevolent supporter of his neighborhood. He was particularly devoted to the Cresson Volunteer Hearth Firm and Cambria Alliance EMS. He was an avid supporter and donor to the Cresson Meals Pantry and Cresson Public Library. His philanthropy prolonged to the Altoona Johnstown Diocese, particularly Saint Aloysius and Saint Francis Xavier Church buildings. His generosity is understood to many members of the neighborhood.
Jack was in a position to reside out his remaining days in dignity at his dwelling in Cresson with the compassionate and loving assist of his youngsters and several other caregivers: Carolyn, Donna, Linda, Maureen and Yvonne.
In lieu of flowers, the household asks that contributions be made to the native charities said above which Jack supported.
Household will obtain mates from 3 to eight p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2022, at Gibbons Funeral House, 301 Church Road, Gallitzin, the place a vigil service might be held Friday night. The Legion of Mary will recite the rosary at 2:15 p.m. Friday.
A funeral Mass might be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Cresson, with the Rev. Leo Arnone celebrant. Committal St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.
gibbonsfunerals.com
