Joseph A.

Calvano

Joseph A. Calvano (68) of Kendall Park N.J and Saratoga Springs N.Y. passed on October 9,2023.

Joe was born in Jersey City N.J in 1955 to Marie (Ventola) and Charles Calvano. Joe then resided in Cliffside Park .Joe was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Charlie ,his Mother in Law Elaine Jacobs and Aunts and Uncles.

Joe is survived by his wife Barbara and sons Anthony, Andrew, and Austin, his Daughter in Law Tori, and future Granddaughter. Joe is also survived by his brother Chuck , his Sisters in Law Linda and Tracee, his cousins Vicky, Sandy, Johnny, and Jeanne, his nephews Nicholas, Chad, Joey, and niece Kyra as well as his Great Nephews Dominic, Blake, and Cole.

Joe was employed by Letica Corporation and later Berry Global ,a plastic packaging company, as a Regional Business Manager . He was a valued employee with the company for over 30 years.

Joe was a member of IAABO Board #33 since 1980, NJ State Federation of Umpires, Raritan Valley Soccer Officials Association, as well as a member of the Cliffside Park Elks which became the Palisades Elks. He worked numerous Tournaments of Champions in both Basketball and Softball. Joe officiated multiple sports for many years in more than 14 N.J counties. He traveled to various states to officiate College Level Girls Softball.

He was very instrumental in the development of Rowland Park Baseball Fields in South Brunswick. Joe took special pride in caring for the township fields. Joe was President of the SBAA for many years and even after he stepped down he remained very involved. He was the Basketball Assignor for the township as well. Joe was a Coach in town for many years and formed valuable friendships with the parents with whom we are still very close with today. Everyone knew Joe Calvano.

Joe also volunteered his time to many sport programs, but the Special Olympics was one he looked forward to each year.

Joe grew up in Cliffside Park, moved, but never left. He was the Commissioner of the Youth Basketball Program at #6 School for decades and prior was a Coach with  Biddy Basketball. When past and current players called him Coach, he smiled from ear to ear.

His passion for sports was undeniable. If he wasn't officiating, umpiring, scheduling games, or assigning officials, he was busy running his own sports businesses. Joe also loved attending the Mets, Giants, Devils and recently the Jets games and hosted the infamous Calvano Family Giants Tailgate which was always a big deal!

In his spare time Joe enjoyed planting flowers, and sharing his crops from his garden with friends and neighbors in his buckets. He loved family and friend vacations in Cabo and Saratoga where he became the Captain of his Pontoon. Joe made many friends through sports and recently friends that became family in Saratoga. He was fondly known as Joey Buckets, Buckets, and Coach . Many of Joe's neighbors spoke kindly of what a nice man he was always helping out with the plowing of the snow- literally the whole entire block and street,  the delivering of garden goodies in his buckets, and of course the early morning leaf blowing.

Joe wore many hats. As much as sports were an important part of his life, what he really cherished was being a Husband, Dad, Father in Law, future Grandfather, Brother, Brother in Law, Uncle, Cousin, Friend. But most of all what he was the proudest to be called was, Dad.

Joe has left Anthony, Andrew, and Austin with beautiful memories. He was very proud of his boys and loved them dearly.