Joseph Bartholonew Calise, Sr.

Calise, Joseph Bartholomew, Sr. of Wayne, formerly of Clifton, Naples, FL, and Toms River, passed away on November 30, 2018.  Born on the Lower Eastside of New York, Joe spent many of his formative years in Brooklyn before moving to Clifton in 1949. A member of the “Greatest Generation”, his college career was interrupted by the Second World War where he proudly served his country as an Army Mortar Platoon Leader, in the Pacific Theater.  He returned home to marry his childhood sweetheart, Anne Colosimo, on July 26, 1945.

Joe started his career at U.S. Testing and spent nearly 40 years at Benjamin Moore Paints before retiring at 62.  Joe and Anne raised their 9 children in Clifton and were well known in the community.  A loving and committed husband and father, he believed it was important to serve others.  Joe was a member of the Clifton Planning Board and oversaw the building of the first Passaic County Children’s Shelter.  He actively supported the Clifton Boys’ and Girls’ Club as a Trustee.  As a veteran, Joe was a member of American Legion Post 8 and the VFW.  He served on the Lay Council of St. Philip’s Church in Clifton and as a member of the Holy Name Society and the Regina Mundi Chapter of the Knights of Columbus.  Sports also played a large part in Joe’s life.  Recognized as “Most Athletic” his Junior and Senior years at Immaculata High School, he supported his sons as one of the founders of the Clifton Midget League, coaching both baseball and basketball.

Joe’s wife, Anne, predeceased him (1997), as did 3 children, Susan (1980), Anne Marie (Gaccione) (2013) and Joseph, Jr. (2018). After Anne’s passing, Joe married Alice Jane Smith who passed in 2016.  His surviving family includes Francis (Frank) and Florence Calise; Kenneth and Mary Lou Calise; Robert and Sherry Calise; Philip and Erica Calise; John and Lynda Calise; Donna  and Joe Brulato and Peter Gaccione along with 16 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  He will be truly missed by all of his family.