Anthony L. Tony Calabrese

June 21, 1932-July 16, 2011

Anthony L. Calabrese, Tony, died on Saturday, July 16, 2011 at Hospice of the Comforter. He was born in Manhattan, N.Y. on June 21, 1932. He moved from Brooklyn, N.Y. to Florida in 1974. He graduated from City College of New York with an engineering degree, as well as Pace University with i business degree. He retired from Dresser Industries as the Southeast Region District Engineer. He was an enlisted combat aircrewman in the US Navy during the Korean War. After college he joined the Army National Guard as a commissioned flight officer, Chief Warrant Officer 4, and served during the Cuban Missile crisis, as well as the First Gulf War as an engineer.

He had numerous military and naval awards and decorations. He was a member of the American Legion, MOAA, Korean War Vets and the Escort Carriers Association.

He married Marie Buccigrossi in 1953, and she preceded him in death in 1986. He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Barbara. Also surviving are his sons, Mark (Laurie) Calabrese of Maitland, Mark Takach, Sr. of Winter Springs, Christopher Takach (Kim) of Orlando, and a daughter, Marybeth Wydock (James) of Lawrenceville, GA, 7 grandchildren, Angela Calabrese, Savannah Calabrese, Mark Takach, Jr., Dustin Takach, Kaitlin Takach, Madison Wydock and Katie Wydock.   He is also survived by his sister, Providence (Joseph) Artesi of Longwood.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11:00 AM, Monday, July 18, 2011 at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church on Maitland Avenue, Altamonte Springs, FL. with Father Ed Thompson as celebrant. Interment will follow at Maitland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Hospice of the Comforter 480 W. Central Pkwy. Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Arrangements entrusted to DeGusipe Funeral Home & Crematory 9001 N. Orlando Ave. Maitland, FL 32751. Please visit www.DeGusipe FuneralHome.com to leave a special condolence.

These are awards that hang on the walls of our home, all received during and after his re-call to the military during the First Gulf War. He was re-called as his secondary duty, which was an industrial engineer. He was stationed at Port Canaveral during that time and also worked at Patrick AFB. The Air Force didn't know what to do with a Chief Warrant Officer, as they don't have Warrant Officers. They soon learned. He mentored many of the young men and women that he worked with, and they all loved him. I used to bake cookies for him to take to share and I think he had fun walking around with his tin of cookies and talking with everyone and getting to know all of them. I am a quilter, and a group that I work with used to give small baby quilts to Navy Relief for the young Mothers having new babies, and Tony delighted in handing out those quilts.

He also received the Manatee award, which was for 1000 hours of volunteer service with Project Emeritus, and an Eagle award, which was for 2500 hours of volunteer service, 45th Space Wing, Project Emeritus, June 1996.

Certificate of Achievement, Volunteer Services 500 hours    45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, Florida July 1994

Air Force Achievement Medal Special Projects, Section IV September 28, 1996

Certificate of Achievement

4000 Hours for actively Supporting Essential Operations

Patrick AFB, Florida

June 2000

Certificate of Achievement

Meritorious Performance of Volunteer Services

at Patrick AFB, Florida

1 Jan 1992 to 1 April 1992

Joseph L. Lapanna, Project Emeritus

Volunteer of the Quarter

Ourstanding Project Emeritus Volunteer

Third Quarter 1993

Traffic Management Command, Eastern Area MTMC   S. Atlantic Outport Certificate of Achievement - Excellent Performance Project Emeritus    06 Jan 1991 to 06 Jan 1992

Air Force Space Command

Inspector General

Professional Workcenter Award

7 March to 16 March 1994

Special Performance during

45th Space Wing Operational Readiness Inspection

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Certificate of Merit, from July 1993 through Dec. 1998 Serving as Receptionist at the Orlando Branch of the Jacksonville Auxiliary

Certificate of Achievement for more than-500 hours Volunteer Service for actively supporting essential Operations of the 45th Space Wing, Patrick AFB, Florida February 1998

Navy Marine Corps Relief Society Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Support of shipmates, 1994