Frank E. Calabrese Sr.

CALABRESE, FRANK E. SR., 82, - of Galloway, passed away quietly at home on Friday, August 1, 2008 with his loving wife and family by his side. Frank was born in Atlantic City and spent the majority of his life on Mississippi Avenue in the Ducktown section of the City. He attended St. Michael's Grammar School and Atlantic City High School. In 1944, at 18 years of age, he joined the Army and proudly served his Country in World War II. He was sent overseas and was stationed in Italy where he attained the rank Sergeant. Upon returning from the war in 1946, he rejoined the love of his life, Frances. They married in 1948 and raised three children. Frank enjoyed the Italian neighborhood where he was affectionately known as "Sonny" and worked at the Venice Restaurant, Sereni's Market and Panarelle's Bakery. He was a member of St. Michaels Church where he was a member of the Holy Name Society and served as an Usher. He was an accomplished plasterer and a member of the International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local # 33. In 1961 he became a Police Officer and served Atlantic City for 30 years in the Patrol Division and the Supply Unit. He retired in 1991. He was a member of the Atlantic City PBA #24 and served as a Board Member of the Atlantic City Police Federal Credit Union, serving well into his retired years. In 1983 the family was forced to move because of the Casino boom and left the great Italian neighborhood for Galloway Township where Frank loved living in the country. He then became a member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish. Frank enjoyed traveling with his wife to Italy and made several trips out west especially enjoying California. In 1980, on a trip to California, he unexpectedly ended up as a conant on "The Price is Right" which he enjoyed immensely. He had a love for family and friends and enjoyed his travels to New York to visit family. One of the biggest John Wayne fans around, Frank could name all of John Wayne's movies. Up until the time of his passing, Frank would always ask to go to Harrah's where he had loved to play blackjack and go to the Island Diner with his good friend Sam Rando who was his Police partner and whom he missed very much. Frank is predeceased by his parents Giovanni and Anna (nee Revecchio) Calabrese. He is survived by and will be dearly missed by his loving wife of 60 years, Frances (nee Giglia), two sons; John (Margaret) of Denton, TX. and Frank Jr. (Barbara) of Absecon; daughter Rosanna (Scott) Ritson of Galloway; grandchildren Gina, Dante, Christian, Timothy and Emily, brother Fred (Antoinette) of Farmingdale, Long Island; brothers and sisters-in-law Gene and Rose Zompa of Ventnor, Sandy and Marie Corvari of Somers Point, Gloria and Cal Bartechko of Ventnor, Laura Giglia of Atlantic City, Mickey Giglia of Somers Point and Joy Sincere of Absecon as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. The Funeral Mass for Frank E. Calabrese Sr. will be Celebrated 10:00am Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at St Michaels Church 10 No. Mississippi Avenue, AC. Friends may call Monday evening from 6:00pm until 8:00pm at the Church and again Tuesday morning from 9:00am until Mass. The Rite of Committal will be offered at the Mausoleum Chapel of Holy Cross Cemetery, Mays Landing. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frank's memory to: Compassionate Care Hospice, 600 Highland Drive, Suite 624, Westhampton, N.J. 08064 (1-800-344-4774) or St. Michaels Church, 10 No. Mississippi Ave., Atl. City, N.J. 08401 (609) 344-8536.Arrangements by the Gormley Funeral Home LLC, AC.