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Leonard Calegari Obituary
Len was born on January 28, 1935 in San Mateo, the third of six children born to the late Adolph and Françoise Calegari. He was predeceased by his brothers Marc Calegari, S.J. and Pierre Calegari (Joleen) and his step-mother, Muriel Lynch Calegari. He is survived by his brothers, Gregoire Calegari (Kathy) and Michel Calegari (Tudy) and his sister, Marianne Calegari. He was the uncle of Jean-Paul (deceased) and Jean-Claude Calegari, Valerie, Matthew, Giovanni and Dominic Calegari, Sophie and Pauline Hansen. He leaves no pets behind.
Fr. Len attended Our Lady of Angels School. All five brothers graduated from Serra High School. Len graduated from U.S.F. in 1956, the same class as Bill Russell. After two years of graduate school at Santa Clara and Stanford, Len entered St. Patrick's Seminary in 1958 and was ordained in 1963 by Archbishop McGucken. He celebrated his first Mass at Our Lady of Angels.
Fr. Len ministered at St. Emydius Church in San Francisco and Blessed Sacrament Church in San Venetia. He taught at Junipero Serra High School. Fr. Len then served at Sacred Heart Church, Saratoga, Our Lady of Loretto Church, Novato, and St. Sebastian Church, Kentfield, before being appointed Pastor of St. Peter Parish, Pacifica, where he served for 23 years until his retirement in 2004. For the past ten years, Fr. Len resided and served the parishioners at St. Stephen Church, in San Francisco.
Len was a man for all seasons: he played cello as a boy, basketball at Serra High School and golf for U.S.F. He was a college academic scholarship winner, accumulator of bridge points, connoisseur of the opera and symphony, terrible poker player, mathematical wizard, a spectacular brother and modest to a fault. He had to die for us to be able to write this about him.
Friends may visit after 10:00am on Tuesday, December 9th, 2014 at St. Peter Church, 700 Oddstad Blvd., Pacifica, where a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00am. A reception will follow the mass in the church hall. Private family interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Fr. Len's name can be made to the St. Peter Church Memorial Fund, 700 Oddstad Blvd, Pacifica, CA 94044 or to the charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Leonard Calegari
Joan H Zimmer
November 27, 2020
Six years, Fr. Len, and I still miss you like it was yesterday! I know that you're enjoying Heaven and I hope to see you when I finally get out of Purgatory and get there. Til we meet again!!!
Michael Schalich
December 10, 2014
To the Calegari Family
On behalf of My Wife and Kids, my Brothers and Sisters and their spouses and children of which Fr. Cal Baptized all 22 kids. Please accept our condolences. Father was a wonderful human being. He was a great friend to Tom and Marion Schalich (Our Parents)and we loved seeing him over at the house from time to time.There are so many wonderful memories as I'm typing I'm smiling just thinking of the past. He will be sorely missed. Len until we see each other again.
PS: Say Hi to Mom and Dad.
God Bless
Michael E. Schalich
Jackie Clinton
December 9, 2014
I was Father Len's secretary for 23 wonderful years. My heart was broken when I heard he had died. My years working for Father Len was such a joy it made going to work fun. It you were fortunate enough to knew Father Len you were truly blest.
Mary (Terry) Rector
December 9, 2014
Father Calegari's first assignment after his ordination was to our parish of St. Emydius in San Francisco. Besides giving witty, intellectual homilies, he revived the Sodality as well as the Teen Club. He was a wonderful friend to our family throughout the years. RIP, Caldo, you are undoubtedly bringing the angels up to speed on the finer points of opera.
Paulette Magee
December 9, 2014
I was a member of St. Peter's from August 1976 until September 2003 when we moved to Amador County. On the occasion of Fr. Len's 20th anniversary at St. Peter's the choir sang 3 original songs written about our much loved pastor. Here is a portion of the song to the tune Big Spender: "The minute you came to our church we could see you were a priest with a mission, a real big Pastor. Great with numbers, you're so smart. But more than brains, we know you've really got a big heart." You will always live in my heart.
Liz Baker
December 9, 2014
Fr. Len made the life of each person he met unique and special. Besides being a loyal parishioner with my family, I sang with Skyline Choir. And in 1991, when we needed a nicer, less foggy venue than Skyline College for our winter concert, I approached Fr. Len to see if maybe, possibly, perhaps, the choir might sing in St Peter. Turned out he knew our conductor, Patty Hennings—He knew everyone who was anyone on the Peninsula—and we began singing at the church at least once if not twice a year. Most churches we sang in simply turned the facilities over to us, but not Fr. Len. He attended the concerts, and escorted Patty up the aisle to her podium, and then made always funny, silly, welcoming introductions about his lack of musical skills (little did we know he was a cellist as a child, and he certainly didn't brag about his unbelievable knowledge of opera) that made people feel so at home in that beautiful St Peter Church that we (he) built! He did more for the acceptance and advancement of Catholicism by non-Catholics than any priest I have ever met. Liz Baker [email protected]
Ester Bugna
December 8, 2014
Just a blind date memory in 1956 - you certainly were a humorous entertaining escort- plus a few other brief encounters in our mature years the most
recent a luncheon this past summer.
ester bugna CND'56 [now NDNU
" No friendship,however brief,can cross our destiny without laving some mark on it forever"
Deb Rebollini-Hattel
December 8, 2014
Father Len baptized my son Joseph in 1995 at St. Peter's in Pacifica. My husband AJ and I had the best time with him during our year long pre-marriage counseling. He was so real and easy going. Father Len will be deeply missed.
Halina Avery
December 8, 2014
Loving and wonderful Uncle Len. Every wedding, funeral, Christening that I remember, you were presiding. You had a big, big heart and were about as good as any of us can hope to get. We miss you dearly.
John and Marianne O'Brien
December 8, 2014
May God bless all the Calegari family. We will miss Father Len, his warmth, his humor and his laugh.
Carmina Blanco
December 8, 2014
May you rest in peace father Leonard. Thank you so much for baptizing our first born Michael in June of 2011. You made that day extra special with your funny jokes and wonderful advice to us new parents. God Bless you father Leonard!
December 8, 2014
My condolence to the family. I offered mass for Fr. Len and for all of you who mourn his passing. I would so like to make contact with Marianne. I'll be out of town until Thursday. My e-mail address is [email protected].
CMBuckley,sj
December 7, 2014
Remembering and appreciating Father Calegari from Our Lady of Loretto. What a good man and a fine listener! Cristina Bulleri
Peter Anderson
December 7, 2014
My sister Tracy was once married to Len's brother, Mich Calegari, so Len and I are uncles to the same niece and nephew, Valerie and Matt Calegari. I was Godfather to Valerie, and Len's sister Marianne was Godmother. At the baptism in a church in Woodside 40 or so years ago, Len kept us in stitches with his raucous good humor and Teddy Bear personality. What I always noticed about him was that his faith was fierce, and he never got bogged down in what he perceived as ridiculous discussions about doubt, despair and skepticism. He believed what he believed, acted on it, and kept a sense of detachment from himself and the world of gossip and small-minded cynicism. He stood apart -- not only because he was one of the tallest priests in the Archdiocese -- but because he was one of the most admired and respected, as well. Even though I have known him for most of my adult life, I only discovered through reading his obituary that he presided over the funeral service of the notorious assassin Dan White. Apparently nobody else rushed to perform this duty, but Len obviously put aside his ego and offered to give some sense of peace and comfort to the White family. It takes a real man to do something like that, without fanfare or self-promotion. It's an indescribable charisma that some people have, but it just feels good and makes you feel cool to be in their company. Len was such a friend. He was all about service, loyalty, giving, and worship. Every time we met, he asked me if I was going to church. Sometimes I answered him. But I'm sure he could read me like a book. He could be as stern as he was humorous. God bless him, all the grieving friends and parishioners he has left behind, and his wonderful family.
Martha Varner
December 7, 2014
Father Calegari,
You were a huge influence on me and my life. The best youth leader ever..I am now 55 years old and I will never forget when you took Judy and I (for our birthdays) back in 11/1976 to see Beach Blanket Babylon. I have enjoyed our conversations over the recent years..I love you and will miss you!
December 6, 2014
A lovely soul that comforted many. Thank you Father Caligari for your help and support
December 6, 2014
Dear Calegari family,,
I knew your family while we were in high school.
Your mom was so dear to me.
I am so sorry for your loss.
Bernadine miller miller
[email protected]
December 6, 2014
Dear calegauri family,
I am so sorry to hear of len's passing.
I am praying for all of you.
God bless,
Bernadine miller miller( lincoln, ca)
[email protected]
Suzanne Schneider
December 5, 2014
My dear Fr. Len, a real man for all seasons.. He prayed with us, he laughed with us, he cried with us, and we loved him so.. He made every one feel a part of the community. He singled out any new face and made then welcome. He called you by name always..
A big part of my family's life and forever in our hearts.
Joan H Zimmer
December 5, 2014
Fr. Len was like a member of my family to me. He will be missed so much here on Earth, but I am glad that he is in Heaven with his Lord and free of all pain.
Jim Parke
December 5, 2014
Dear Calegari Family
Words would never capture the spirit and soul of Len who was the closest priest friend I have ever had
It would take an accountant to add up all the many ways Len supported me and my ministries through the years
My present regret is that I cannot be at Saint Peter's on Tuesday to share your loss
He has been a true point of light in God's Kingdom
Our moments together would take pages with lots of sharing and laughing along the way
Thanks, Len, for all you have been for me
Love ya
Father Jim Parke
757-620-3313
[email protected]
Helen Reisinger
December 4, 2014
As a member of St Peter parish, I never recovered from Father Len's retiring. He left some big shoes to fill, in more ways than one. I grew up in the Pentecostal faith. I later converted after I married so our children would be raised in one faith. I never really felt comfortable as a Catholic until I met Father Len. He was so down to earth and was so easy to talk to. My entire family loved him so much. He will be missed and never forgotten. We still love him. He will always be in our hearts.
We toast to Fr. Len and his great time in Heaven where we plan on meeting him again.
Dorothy "Jackie" & Donald "Don" Baumann
December 4, 2014
Fr. Len was a long time dear close friend. In fact, we knew him all through college years and he was our best man at our wedding after graduation. We were honored to be at his ordination and first Mass. He was a wonderful person and a great ambassador for God! We will definitely miss him.
Janet Giddings
December 4, 2014
Fr. Calegari was our pastor in Kentfield; he baptized our son, ate dinner at our home and became a friend. My condolences to family & friends.
Jeanne Albert
December 4, 2014
I will never forget stopping in to visit Father Len at his church after a long, tiring trip with my eight children and Father Lens's brother Mark. Fr Len took one look at me and arranged for the cooks at his church to provice refreshments for us 0- a complete lunch. He knew I was exhausted and he must have known a mother of 8 children does not get a chance to be cared for like that very often. What a sensitive, caring person who really understood how to love all humanity and its needs.
Gloria Mosqueda
December 4, 2014
Father Len baptized my 3 children and did the eulogy for my nephew and mother. I attended his masses when we lived in Pacifica. He always kept it interesting and fun. We will truly miss him.
Carol Abeling
December 4, 2014
Remembering Father Calegari when he was here at Our Lady of Loretto. He was so wonderful with the children. My prayers and condolences for Father's family and friends. God Bless.
Lynn King
December 4, 2014
I will miss seeing him in the stores in Pacifica. He was always so friendly and happy to see you. RIP Father Len. You wil be missed!
Denise Dauphinais
December 3, 2014
Father Calegari was our priest in Kentfield, CA and was the priest who married me and my husband 35 yrs ago. He was a wonderful person.
Debbie Wydler
December 3, 2014
Father Len was like a family member to us. Father Len baptized me, married my husband and I married my son and Daughter in Law, and said the prayers at my Mothers memorial. Father Len has known the Wydler Family since the early 60's when my husband went to St Emydius! He had contributed to the youth in the Bay Area for many years and I am thankful that each of my children knew and trusted him. Thank you for everything Father Len! He will be missed by all.
Carmen Goodin
December 3, 2014
RIP Father Len. Your words of wisdom will always be remembered.
John & Diane Spediacci
December 3, 2014
Dear Calegari Family,
We feel truly blessed to have had Father Len's presence in our lives. He was an extraordinary man. We will forever cherish our memories of him. Our deepest condolences. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you all.
The Spediacci Family
Linda van Ekelenburg
December 3, 2014
An adult convert to Catholicism, when we moved to Pacifica in 1984, I wanted to have my first baby Christened, and it was in this context that I met Father Calegari. I knew immediately that this was an extraordinary man, a warm and loving soul, a man of the world, and, within the bounds of his calling, a freethinker. A brilliant intellect, he nevertheless made a connection with all members of his congregation, knowing everyone's name in his greeting. When my previously hardcore atheist husband Mark converted (believe me, this was a miracle to equal that of the loaves and the fishes) Father Calegari washed Mark's feet in one of the events leading up to Easter. Mark was baptised and confirmed in a full immersion at the midnight Easter Vigil at the age of 46. I cannot imagine how many souls were converted,not through overt proselatization, but rather through the benign power of Father Calegari's presence and spiritual charisma. I thank him for my and my family's spiritual comfort and enlightenment. He was a giant of a man.
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