John Caltagirone

John A. Caltagirone, 71, of Lower Alsace Township, died June 28, 2011, in Read

ing Hospital and Medical Center.

Born in Reading, he was a son of the late Raymond and Stella (Julian) Caltagirone.

He was a graduate of Reading High School in 1958 and Duquesne University, Pittsburgh in 1962 where he earned a bachelors degree in Journalism.

John was a US Army veteran serving during the Vietnam War.

His first job was as a staff writer for the Reading Times and Eagle. While in college he served as a Cub Reporter for the newspaper.

John was employed for 23 years as a press secretary for the Department of Environmental Protection, deputy for Penn Dot, Research Analyst 2 for the Legislative Research Office of Representative David Kessler 2007-2010, Regional Caucus Director, Central and Southeast Delegation 2005-2007, Communications Specialist for the Pennsylvania Treasury 1996-2005, Manager of Media Relations for Bell Atlantic of Pennsylvania 1988-1994, Press Secretary/Media Specialist for the PA Department of Transportation 1977-1988.

He was an active member of the Democratic Party and a campaign manager for numerous Democratic candidates throughout the years.

He was a member of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church, where he was a member of the March for Life and the National Shut-in Visitation. He also was a member of the St. John's Primetimers and he was a fund rasier for Cabrini Academy. He was an advisor for the Pennsylvania Junior Miss Pageant and Young Woman of the Year.

John loved Christmas, sports cars, photography, and the seashore.

John is survived by his daughter, Juliana J. Caltagirone, wife of Antonio Vernacchio, Boyertown; five brothers, Anthony, husband of Marjorie Caltagirone, Exeter Township, Frank, husband of Marilyn Caltagirone, Shillington, Representative Thomas Caltagirone, Reading, Joseph, husband of Sharon Caltagirone, Robesonia and James, husband of Patricia Caltagirone, Reading and three sisters, Rose Caltagirone, Shillington, Dolores, wife of Alfred Myatt, Shillington and Patricia, wife of Joseph O'Brien, West Lawn; sisters-in-law, Veronica Caltagirone and Eleanor Caltagirone; his fiancee, Kathryn Schmidt, with whom he resided, his former wife, Barbara Caltagirone, Boyertown; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two brothers, Samuel Caltagirone and Raymond Caltagirone and one sister, Josephine Caltagirone.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 9:30 a.m. in Holy Rosary R. C. Church, 237 Franklin St., Reading, PA 19602, officiated by Msgr. Felix A. Losito. Burial will be in Gethsemane Cemetery. Friends may call Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Church at the above address and/or the American Lung Association, 317 N. Fifth St., P.O. Box 137, Reading, PA 19603, and/or the American Heart Association, 25 Stevens Ave., Building A, Suite 10, West Lawn, PA 19609, and/or the American Diabetes Association, 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 103, Harrisburg, PA 17110.