Joseph "Joe Kelly" Calabretta

Joseph Calabretta
Joseph "Joe Kelly" Calabretta. On the 16th day of July, 2007, "Together Again"
Joe Calabretta, age 92, was reunited with his bride and wife of 59 years, Mary, who preceded him in death five years ago. Joe's life's work was owning and operating the Mayfair Restaurant in downtown Canton for 45 years. Affectionately known as Joe Kelly by customers, friends and family, Joe was dedicated to providing great food and service to his customers. The restaurant was a favorite for many in this area, and is still missed. It wasn't uncommon for Joe to give meals to customers who couldn't pay, loan money to others, and drive home the ones who had a drink or two too many. Many of his customers and employees became lifetime friends. He finally had to retire and close the door in 1998 due to health reasons at age 83. He was honored by Tri-County Restaurant Association in 1999 for his accomplishments as a restaurateur. Joe was a veteran of the second World War, serving in both Europe and the Pacific in the Army Air Corps. He met his love, Mary, while stationed at Shepards Field near Wichita Falls, TX. At the end of the war, the couple moved back to the Canton, OH area, where they raised two children, and lived the remainder of their lives. Joe enjoyed golf, bowling, cards, and sports in his leisure time. Despite growing up in the depression years with a limited education, Joe was a success in every sense of the word, providing for his wife and family, putting his children through college, and having hundreds of friends because of his honesty, generosity, and fair treatment of people. Surviving are his son, Joe Calabretta, Jr. and Betty Fryfogle; and his daughter, Carrol Ostrum; and son-in-law, John Ostrum of North Canton, OH. In addition to his children, other relatives include his grandsons, Joseph P. Calabretta and Lori Calabretta, and Eric Calabretta; great-grandchildren, Joseph Kelly and Kate Lynn Calabretta; brother, David (Danny) Calabretta; sister, Vickie Sabella; sister-in-law, Patricia Pontino; brother-in-law, Mickey Hasley; and a large family of loving nephews and nieces; his parents, Joseph and Theresa Calabretta, formerly of San Andrea, Italy, then of Canton and East Canton, OH, predeceased him, as did three of his siblings, Samuel Calabretta, Connie Clapper and Geraldine Hasley. Organizations included Canton Ex Newsboys Association, and the San Andreas Society. He was a member of the downtown Canton Athletic Club for many years. Friends may call at the Rossi Funeral Home, 730 30th St. NW, Canton, OH, on Thursday from 5-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at the Rossi Funeral Home. Friends may call at 10 a.m. Friday. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Gardens. The family would like to thank the staff at the Canton Regency and Aultman Hospice for their kind care and attention to Joe.
(ROSSI, 330-492-5830)
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