Philip Calabria

1948 - 2024

Philip Calabria

Northfield, MA - Philip James Calabria passed away peacefully on the morning of December 29, 2024 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA. Philip was the fourth son born to Frank J. and Lorraine Calabria on December 3, 1948 in Rockville Centre, NY. He was predeceased by his eldest brother Francis, as an infant, and by his parents. Philip is survived by his older brothers Lt. Col. Kenneth Calabria (Ret.) of Amherst, NH and Paul Clifford of Newton, MA, and by a younger sister, Lorraine Ippolito of Massapequa, NY and their families. He also leaves his wife of 42 years, Susan von Glahn Calabria, son Stefan Calabria of Northfield, MA, and daughter Erin Calabria and her husband Tim Mitchell of New York City.

Philip had fond memories of his time at summer camps and his affiliation with the Boy Scouts. He was a Provisional Scoutmaster at Camp Wauwepex in Wading River, NY. Friendships that began there remained for the rest of his life.

After graduating from Baldwin High School (NY) in 1966, Philip studied liberal arts for two years at Nassau Community College, and then English Literature at Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio. He was at Woodstock in 1969 and appeared in a photograph of the crowd in Newsweek. After graduation in 1971, he and his college roommate took off on a major adventure – hitchhiking 7,000+ miles across 26 states, often surviving on not much more than peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

In 1975 Philip's passions took a new route: photography. Philip's father, Frank, was a cinematographer who worked with many movie stars of the middle twentieth century.

Perhaps this inspired Philip to find poetry in photography. He studied under the greats at the University of New Mexico in the mid-to-late1970s: Beaumont Newhall. Van Deren Coke, Tom Barrow, Wayne "Rod" Lazorik, and Betty Hahn. Though Philip was a skilled writer, he found his truest expression in creating photographic images. After receiving his MA and MFA at UNM, he moved east and began a 37-year tenure at Northfield Mount Hermon School as a teacher of photography, chair of the art department, junior varsity baseball coach, and director of the school's fine arts gallery.

Philip's photographic work can be found in many private and permanent collections including museums in New Mexico, New Jersey, at Howard University, Northfield Mount Hermon School, in the Archives of American Art at the Smithsonian Institution, and at the National Park Service's Ellis Island Museum of Immigration.

Philip Calabria leaves many friends, former students, and acquaintances who will remember that he always had a joke and a laugh. If someone had a question about a movie or music, he was the one who knew the answer. He cherished his family and friends.

The family wishes to thank all the doctors and nurses in the Baystate hospital system who cared for Philip as he navigated his illness. Those who wish to honor Philip's legacy are encouraged to donate to a conservation organization of their choice. A memorial celebration will be announced later this year.

Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave. Northfield, Ma. Is in charge of arrangements.