Curtis James Caldarera Sr.

CALDARERA Curtis James Caldarera, Sr. Known as a charitable, faithful, hard- working, and loving person, the beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle, and friend, Curtis James Caldarera, Sr., 80, was welcomed into the gates of heaven on Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. He was a native of Gramercy and resident of Lutcher, Louisiana. Curtis attended Lutcher High School from 1948 through 1952 where he played quarterback for the football team and catcher for the baseball team. He was a member of the 1951 LHS Class "A" Baseball State Champs. For 10 years, Curtis was a member of the Lutcher Cardinals Semi-pro Baseball Team. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was awarded National Defense Service Medal and the Army Occupation Medal in Germany. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, the Knights of Columbus Council No. 1817, and a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree. Due to his love for his community and sports, Curtis was one of the early organizers for the little league baseball and football programs in the Lutcher area. For 30 years, Curtis was a Lutcher High School Quarterback Club member. He was the originator and leader of the Cadillac Ball for Lutcher High School Athletics in the late 70's and a charter member to the LHS Dugout Club. For 34 years, Curtis was an employee of Shell Chemical in Norco, LA. After his retirement, he continued to be actively involved with the Lutcher High School booster clubs and continued to give of his time to support all sports programs for the LHS Bulldogs. He was known for the creation of the original model bonfires representing the St. James Parish Christmas Eve Tradition. Curtis also loved the game of golf and was a member of Riverlands Country Club where he is remembered for having a "Double Eagle" on Hole No. 3 - 486 yards. Curtis enjoyed serving his Lord and his community. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society for 25 + years, served as Eucharistic Minister for St. Joseph Church, and was a perpetual Adorer for the Adoration Chapel in Lutcher, LA. A man who lived by faith, loved people, his community and sports, but most of all, loved God, his family, and life will forever be in the hearts of many. Survivors include his devoted wife of 56 years, Barbara Matherne Caldarera, sons Curtis Caldarera, Jr. and wife Kim, Chris Caldarera and wife Dana, daughters Vanessa Roussel and husband Ronald "Toodie," Greta Nassar and husband George, and Mary Beth Merrill and husband Carter; two brothers, John Caldarera, Jr. and wife Rosemary, Glenn Caldarera and wife Linda; two sisters, Joyce Bourgeois and her husband the late Edmond Bourgeois, Letitia "Letty" Richard and husband Dwain; thirteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; John Caldarera, Sr. and Letitia Schexnayder Caldarera; siblings Joseph "Buster" Caldarera and wife Virginia, Louis Caldarera, Sr. and wife Laurence, Noella C. Frazier and husband Warren, Sr., and Myrtis Caldarera. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Rose Lynn Funeral Home in Lutcher, Louisiana. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulina, Louisiana on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, from 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be followed in St. Joseph Mausoleum, Paulina, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, P.O. Box 504, Lutcher, LA 70071. ROSE LYNN FUNERAL SERVICES, 1870 Cabanose Ave., Lutcher, LA is in charge of the arrangements. To sign and view the family guestbook, please visit www.roselynnfuneralhome.com