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John Anthony Calcagno

Birth
Urbana, Champaign County, Illinois, USA
Death
12 Jul 2017 (aged 63)
Champaign, Champaign County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Burial Details Unknown Add to Map
Memorial ID
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John Anthony Calcagno, 63, of Champaign, was surrounded by his family when he passed away at 3:27 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center in Urbana.

John (Johnny) was born August 2, 1953 in Urbana, Illinois to parents John Joseph and Angelina (Nardi) Calcagno. He married the love of his life, Lois Christians, on September 2, 1979; she survives. Their twin daughters, Catherine “Cat” and Sarah Calcagno, also survive. John leaves behind five siblings: Sara Russian (Michael), of Champaign, Joseph Calcagno, of Mansfield, Philomena Schnepper (David), of Mansfield, Anthony Calcagno (Kari), of Mahomet, Julie Cox (Rodney), of Mansfield, 13 nieces and nephews: Julie McConaha, Nicole Millage, Brett Schnepper, Angelina, Elizabeth, and Christina Calcagno, Alexandra and Madeline Calcagno, Jonathan and Courtney Cox, Amy Halberstadt, Nicholas and Angela Pontillo, and six great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Ruth Christians, of Urbana, and Linda Pontillo (Sam), of Longwood, Florida. The Calcagno family’s beloved canine companion, Dexter, will also miss him dearly. John’s parents and nephew, Shawn Brenner, preceded him in death.

John was a devout Christian and member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church.

After graduating from Central High School where he was a District Champ tennis player, John began his education in meat cutting at the Eisner Journeyman Apprentice Program. He then went on to buy Sullivan Packing Company, a business which he owned and operated with his brothers, Tony and Joe. After marrying his wife, Lois, they moved to Florida where he worked at Albertson's and attended Princeton's management program. He and Lois then moved back to Illinois to be near family, and start one of their own. John was a renowned meat cutter and worked in the meat industry in various capacities (including “Meat Counselor”) in Evansville, Indiana, and Loda, Illinois. John completed his career at St. Joseph IGA as Meat Market Manager. He was passionate about his job and always brought a smile to the faces of both his coworkers and his customers.

However, meat was not his only passion. John was an avid Illini, Cubs, and Bears fan. More than anything, his greatest passion was for his family. John was a shining example of what a husband and father should be- gentle, honest, generous, and strong. In a large, exciting family, he was a beacon of serenity. He was a sentimental, thoughtful man, and often kept the notes and drawings given to him by his daughters to save as keepsakes. He was known to surprise his wife with red roses, a Barry White song, and an impromptu night out “just because.”

When John was 58 years old, he was diagnosed Lewy Body Dementia, with Parkinson’s Attributes. The disease began its rapid attack, and by the end of his life, John was no longer in command of his own body. Though his family’s heartache is profound, there is solace in the knowledge that he is no longer suffering. He was an exemplary human being and made the world a better place to be.

The family would especially like to thank the staff at Willowbrook for their loving care and devotion for Johnny over the past year, as well as Harbor Light Hospice Care for the care they gave Johnny in his final hours. The family also appreciates the assistance of Meadowbrook during John's final days. Furthermore, Lois, Cat and Sarah want to personally express their gratitude to the kind and special people that gave their unconditional love, support, compassion and understanding throughout John's illness.

In keeping with the family’s quest to educate and bring awareness to this devastating disease, they ask that memorial contributions be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org/donate. Memorial contributions may also be made to the F. Lorene Christians Nursing Scholarship through Parkland College at https://webapp.parkland.edu/foundation/donate.html, or Mayo Clinic at https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Obituary: Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory- Urbana, Illinois
John Anthony Calcagno, 63, of Champaign, was surrounded by his family when he passed away at 3:27 p.m., Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center in Urbana.

John (Johnny) was born August 2, 1953 in Urbana, Illinois to parents John Joseph and Angelina (Nardi) Calcagno. He married the love of his life, Lois Christians, on September 2, 1979; she survives. Their twin daughters, Catherine “Cat” and Sarah Calcagno, also survive. John leaves behind five siblings: Sara Russian (Michael), of Champaign, Joseph Calcagno, of Mansfield, Philomena Schnepper (David), of Mansfield, Anthony Calcagno (Kari), of Mahomet, Julie Cox (Rodney), of Mansfield, 13 nieces and nephews: Julie McConaha, Nicole Millage, Brett Schnepper, Angelina, Elizabeth, and Christina Calcagno, Alexandra and Madeline Calcagno, Jonathan and Courtney Cox, Amy Halberstadt, Nicholas and Angela Pontillo, and six great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Ruth Christians, of Urbana, and Linda Pontillo (Sam), of Longwood, Florida. The Calcagno family’s beloved canine companion, Dexter, will also miss him dearly. John’s parents and nephew, Shawn Brenner, preceded him in death.

John was a devout Christian and member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church.

After graduating from Central High School where he was a District Champ tennis player, John began his education in meat cutting at the Eisner Journeyman Apprentice Program. He then went on to buy Sullivan Packing Company, a business which he owned and operated with his brothers, Tony and Joe. After marrying his wife, Lois, they moved to Florida where he worked at Albertson's and attended Princeton's management program. He and Lois then moved back to Illinois to be near family, and start one of their own. John was a renowned meat cutter and worked in the meat industry in various capacities (including “Meat Counselor”) in Evansville, Indiana, and Loda, Illinois. John completed his career at St. Joseph IGA as Meat Market Manager. He was passionate about his job and always brought a smile to the faces of both his coworkers and his customers.

However, meat was not his only passion. John was an avid Illini, Cubs, and Bears fan. More than anything, his greatest passion was for his family. John was a shining example of what a husband and father should be- gentle, honest, generous, and strong. In a large, exciting family, he was a beacon of serenity. He was a sentimental, thoughtful man, and often kept the notes and drawings given to him by his daughters to save as keepsakes. He was known to surprise his wife with red roses, a Barry White song, and an impromptu night out “just because.”

When John was 58 years old, he was diagnosed Lewy Body Dementia, with Parkinson’s Attributes. The disease began its rapid attack, and by the end of his life, John was no longer in command of his own body. Though his family’s heartache is profound, there is solace in the knowledge that he is no longer suffering. He was an exemplary human being and made the world a better place to be.

The family would especially like to thank the staff at Willowbrook for their loving care and devotion for Johnny over the past year, as well as Harbor Light Hospice Care for the care they gave Johnny in his final hours. The family also appreciates the assistance of Meadowbrook during John's final days. Furthermore, Lois, Cat and Sarah want to personally express their gratitude to the kind and special people that gave their unconditional love, support, compassion and understanding throughout John's illness.

In keeping with the family’s quest to educate and bring awareness to this devastating disease, they ask that memorial contributions be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org/donate. Memorial contributions may also be made to the F. Lorene Christians Nursing Scholarship through Parkland College at https://webapp.parkland.edu/foundation/donate.html, or Mayo Clinic at https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc. Condolences may be offered online at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.

Obituary: Renner-Wikoff Chapel & Crematory- Urbana, Illinois


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