Rosario V. “Roy” Calderaro, 86, of Pawling passed away at home on Thursday, April 23, 2015.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 21, 1928, Roy was the only son of the late Sebastian and Mary (Cimato) Calderaro. Roy was a wonderful son and had a happy childhood in Brooklyn; he loved and learned about horses as a young boy. As a teenager and Boy Scout, he groomed horses and gave riding lessons in Prospect Park. Also as a teenager, Roy met his eternal love, Nancy Natale. Two years later on May 2, 1948, Roy at 19 and Nancy at 17, married at Holy Name Church and had a grand reception (one of the first of the time). This year would have been their 67th anniversary.
In 1952 Roy was drafted into the Korean War and served in the US Army until 1954 spending years in Alaska protecting our country. After returning home, Roy’s hobbies included working on cars (he loved his Caddys), boating, fishing, horses, and helping people. Roy was a Godly man who was always there for anyone in need.
A few years went by and then Roy and Nancy brought home Joseph Daniel in 1961. On Joseph’s 3rd birthday they brought Mary Ann home.
Roy and Nancy gave their children a wonderful childhood filled with church and family. Joseph became his dad’s boating and fishing buddy; Roy took such pride in his beautiful boats. Many summer mornings were spent with Roy calling out to Mary on the dock for bait; great memories.
Roy instilled his love of horses and riding in his daughter, Mary Ann. Many, many Sunday mornings were spent driving to NJ to ride horses together; it was a special time.
Then weddings and grandchildren came. Joseph married his beautiful Laura and gave Roy and Nancy two grandsons, Dylan now 21 and Bryan 19, who have benefitted from their grandfather’s love and wisdom. Mary Ann’s children, Nico 26 and Kady 24, have been fortunate enough to grow up with Grandpa Roy beside them, loving, teaching, and guiding them. How lucky they have been.
Roy and Nancy had an active social life together. Roy was a commander in the Coast Guard Auxillary and spent many years boating and on fishing rendezvous; there were many nice trips together.
In 1994, Roy, Nancy, Mary Ann and children moved to Pawling where Roy became an active member of St. John’s Church and Hasler-Kamp Post No. 215 American Legion where more good friendships were forged.
What Roy enjoyed most were family dinners where he would sit proudly at the head of the table with his loving wife Nancy, laughing and loving his family. Along with his wife, children, and grandchildren, was his beautiful daughter-in-law Laura who has been a blessing on this family and his son-in-law, Tom King, who always gave Roy a good laugh.
Roy was a true and dear friend to many, especially Ann & Joe who have been close friends for 75 years. Roy was a Man of Honor – the greatest example of a kind and patient gentleman. As one of his friends said, “This world is a better place because Roy was in it!”
Roy was a loving husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Calling hours are Friday, April 24th from 2-4 and 6-9pm at the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling. The American Legion will conduct a service at 6pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 10am at St. John’s Church, 31 East Main Street, Pawling. Burial will follow in the Hasler-Kamp Post American Legion Cemetery, Pawling.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roy’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
For directions to the funeral home or to leave a condolence, please visitwww.hornandthomesfuneralhome.com
