James J. Calcaterra

JAMES J. CALCATERRA

James J. "Jim" Calcaterra, 85, passed away peacefully on November 22, 2025.

Jim was born in Detroit to Victor and Eleanor (née Pojeky) Calcaterra. He was raised on Detroit's east side on Iroquois Street-"the old neighborhood"-and attended St. Catherine's Catholic School. His family later moved to St. Clair Shores, where he graduated from St. Gertrude Catholic High School. Jim formed lifelong friendships with his St. Gertrude Clippers football teammates, who went undefeated, winning the 1957 Macomb County Parochial League Championship. He and two teammates were later selected to the Macomb County All-Star Team.

After high school, Jim began working for Detroit Edison, earning his boiler operator's license and eventually becoming a production shift supervisor. He retired at age 58 and enjoyed nearly as many years in retirement as he did working-a rarity today.

In 1962, Jim married the love of his life, Antionette "Arlene" (née Stomski). They celebrated 53 years of marriage. Arlene predeceased him in 2015.

Together, Jim and Arlene raised their five children in the waterfront community of Algonac, Michigan. Jim enjoyed a lifetime of boating, fishing, and hunting, as well as countless trips to "the cabin," their family place in the woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He especially loved carrying on treasured Italian family traditions-gathering wild mushrooms and making Italian sausage from the generations-old family recipe.

Jim is survived by his sister, Donna, of Kauai, Hawaii; his five children: Jim (Raymond), Mark (MaryJo), Chris, Joe (Amy), and Donna (Howard McCollom III); and his grandchildren: MarkAnthony II (Kaela), Lillian (Matt), Isabella (Steven), Tristan (Megan), Maria, Howard IV, and Daniel. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren Harlan, Eden, and Cohen, as well as his ever-faithful golden retriever, Libby.

Special thanks and gratitude to Jim's caregiver and driver, Sharon Biscorner.

Jim was a husband, father, brother, uncle, Papa, and friend. He will be deeply missed by those who knew him.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Jim's favorite charities:

The Wounded Warrior Project or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Funeral visitation will be held on Friday, December 12th from 3–8 PM at

Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home,

13650 E 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, MI 48312.

Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, December 13th, 2025 at

Immaculate Conception Catholic Church,

9764 Dixie Hwy., Ira Twp., MI 48023.

In-state at 9:30 AM; Mass at 10:00 AM.