John Anthony Kaloper

John Anthony KALOPER Age 81, passed away peacefully November 6, 2003 surrounded by the family he loved. John was a life-long West Seattle resident who was born on the Duwamish riverside to parents Victor and Matilda Kaloper. John was raised in a supportive community of Dalmatian immigrant fishermen and their families. He attended Holy Rosary Grade School and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1941. At a young age, he went to work at Lowman Lunch in Pioneer Square, where he began his life-long interest in good food. He apprenticed at a meat market in the Pike Place Market. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII from 1942 to 1946 and because of his prior training he volunteered to cook and cut meat in the Aleutian Islands. Upon his return, he worked in the meat business and operated his own market in Burien for 40 years called Burien Meats. People came from miles around for "Johnny the Butcher's " Country, Potato and Italian sausages. After retiring he continued to work at Crystal Meats in the Public Market. His career had come full circle, and he reluctantly stopped working at the age of 79. John was a long standing member and contributor to the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and member of the "Founders Circle" of the Log House Museum. John loved fishing with his son, grandsons and extended family members making several trips to Alaska. His photograph appeared in Alaska Sport Fishing Magazine with a 50 pound King Salmon. He enjoyed golf, gardening and all spectator sports. When John was not working, he spent his time with his family, his proudest legacy. He is survived by Dorothy, his wife of 53 years, his children Christie Jones and husband, Tom, Elaine Montgomery Matheson, and husband Steve Matheson, John Kaloper and his wife Julie, Carol Weigand and husband Jack and his brother Victor S. Kaloper and wife Danica. He had eleven grandchildren, Brooke and Thomas Jones, Katie and Kelly Matheson, Hayley and Ashley Montgomery, Christopher and Brian Kaloper, Clark, Andrew, and Madeline Weigand. In addition, he is survived by a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. John was preceded in death by his son-in-law Richard A. Montgomery and granddaughter Claire Weigand, and his father and mother, Victor and Matilda Kaloper. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by family and people whose lives he touched. A Memorial Service will be held at Bonney-Watson Funeral Home on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, November 12 at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: The Richard A Montgomery Heart Foundation c/o Johns Hopkins Hospital 600 N. Wolfe St. Baltimore, MD 21287