Leo Calabrese

Leo Calabrese, 96, of Wilkes-Barre passed away Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, at ManorCare Health Services, Kingston.

He was born in Wilkes-Barre on Oct. 22, 1916, a son of the late Charles and Antoinette Geroci Calabrese. He attended Pittston Area High School.

Mr. Calabrese was an Army veteran, serving during World War II in the European Theater. He was the recipient of the Purple Heart medal.

Prior to his retirement he was employed for many years as a truck driver by Roadway Express.

Leo was a member of Teamsters Local 401, Wilkes-Barre Township American Legion Post 814 and Catholic War Veterans Post 274.

Prior to its closure, he had been a member of Holy Rosary Church, Wilkes-Barre.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Marianna T. Catalogna, in 2005, and by an infant son, Frank Calabrese. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Sam, Peter and Michael Calabrese, and by his sisters, Josephine and Anna Calabrese.

Surviving are his son, Charles Calabrese, Wilkes-Barre; daughter, Antoinette Motley and her husband, Robert, Manhattan, Kan.; grandchildren, Christopher Abod, Manhattan, Kan.; Heather Martin and her husband, Matt, Manhattan, Kan.; great-grandchildren, Adrian and Kierra Martin; nieces and nephews.

Leo's children and family would like to thank the staff at Manorcare for the loving, kind and compassionate care that they provided.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday from Nat & Gawlas Funeral Home, 89 Park Ave., Wilkes-Barre, Deacon Francis Bradigan officiating. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Hanover Township. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 57 N. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, or to the American Heart Association, 613 Baltimore Drive, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting Leo's obituary at www.natandgawlasfuneralhome.com.