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CALI
John J., an entrepreneur, real estate developer and philanthropist from Montclair, New Jersey, died on Saturday, February 1, in Indian Wells, California with his wife, Rose, by his side.
John was born on August 8, 1918 in Valdez, Colorado, the seventh of eight children. His father arrived on Ellis Island from Sicily in 1903, and traveled to Colorado with friends to work in the mines for the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. The family lived in small mining towns in southern Colorado at the foot of the Sangre de Christo ranges until 1929, when they traveled to be with family in Passaic, New Jersey. John fondly remembered those years as idyllic.
John attended public schools in Passaic and Clifton. At 14 years old he was skilled enough on the saxophone to play in the "Borscht Belt" for several summers. After graduating from Clifton High School, he attended Indiana University (IU), where he majored in sociology and psychology and worked his way through college by playing saxophone and clarinet in jazz and swing bands. He credited that experience with learning how to run and manage a business.
After graduation from IU in 1941, John tried to enlist in the army and was rejected because he had polio as a child. That huge disappointment motivated him, at age 23, to apply for a job at Western Electric as an expeditor. John created a program and managed the process which laid the groundwork for an efficient operation.
In 1945, with funds from the GI Bill, John started schools for returning veterans. The business was a resounding success. Many of the vets were paraplegics and their job placement was 100 percent.
John developed a passion for building and he co-founded Cali Associates in 1949 with his brother, Angelo R. Cali, and Edward Leshowitz. He served as chairman of the board of Cali Realty Corporation when the Company went public in 1994. He continued as chairman of the board through the growth of the Cali REIT and its merger in 1997 with the Mack Company. John retired as chairman of Mack-Cali in 2000 and became chairman emeritus until retiring in 2003.
In 2008, John and his family made a generous gift to Montclair State University which established the School of Music that bears his name.
An accomplished civic leader, John received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 1996, and he was awarded an honorary degree by Montclair State University in 2009.
John is survived by his wife, Rose; his much loved children, Brant Cali, Jonna Cali, Michael Nevins, Joshua Nevins and Christopher Cali; and his nine grandchildren who gave him his greatest joy: Shae, Olivia and Max Cali; Alex and Daniel Paleski; Jack, Christopher and Mikey Nevins; and Heebik John Cali.
There will be a private service and burial in the California desert he loved, with a later memorial service in New Jersey at a time to be determined.
Donations in John's memory may be made to the John J. Cali Scholarship Fund c/o The Montclair State University Foundation, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ 07043.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
John was a super friend
Nancy Rubenstein
Friend
February 1, 2024
My deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Cali family. I enjoyed living next to them in Montclair for many years. My dad and I used to play tennis on their court. Mr. Cali was a very kind man. Keeping Mrs. Cali and the family in my thoughts and prayers. Sending you all my love.
Monique Zyto
March 15, 2014
Sorry for the lost of your love one. Draw close to God and he will draw close to you. James 4:8
jhairston
February 12, 2014
My deepest sympathy to ALL of the Cali Family! Although I didn't have the honor of knowing John personally as an adult, I have very fond memories of him growing up with Jonna. Knowing what a remarkable man he was, I hope all your wonderful memories can help you during this difficult time.
Maryann Daunno-Pascale
February 10, 2014
Charm, humor, style and warmth. John's humanity was always evident...he lived a wonderful life, and i'm glad to have shared a small part of it. My love, Rosie, to all.
Joyce Goldman
February 8, 2014
Civic minded, honorable, caring and a true gentleman, John was an example to us all. Rose and family, our thoughts and prayers go out to you on your loss.
Mary Lou and John Skillin
February 7, 2014
Deepest sympathy to the family. The tender mercies of God can sustain you through this sad time. The passage in Psalm 62 verse 2 assures, "Indeed, he is my rock and salvation, my secure refuge, I will never be greatly shaken."
Lewises
February 7, 2014
Angelo and Mary, as well as John were all beloved by many, including my late husband, Ed Rubenstein. They were also admired for having been supporters of many worthy causes. Rose, we met at a few of those events, and my thoughts and prayers are with you now. John was a gem. He lived a very good life and made many others better because of his devotion.
Nancy Rubenstein
February 7, 2014
My sympathies to my childhood friend Brant and his family. Mr. Cali was a classic example of a great man who took the american dream to new heights. God bless
frank ali
February 7, 2014
So sorry for your loss. With much appreciation for all he did for Montclair State University Music Dept. The music will go on thanks to him.
Irene Peterson
February 7, 2014
Our sympathies to you Rose and your family. Always a friendly greeting and a warm smile was John's trademark. May he rest in peace. Tom and Carol Mc Gill.
February 7, 2014
Sorry your family are experiencing such a sad event. We as on lookers are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. So until your tears turn to joy may each one in the family lovingly comfort one another. (Romans 12:15)
VJ
February 7, 2014
Please accept my condolences. May you find comfort in the loving support of family members & friends, and the strength to endure that the God of comfort gives. Pray for peace.
February 7, 2014
I will miss his love, his concern for all his family and friends, his enthusiasm, his intelligence, both intellectual and emotional, and his laughter.
Angela Cali
February 7, 2014
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