Anthony “Tony” Calandra

Santo Padre Pio of Pietrelcina has come to take his devoted fan Tony Calandra with him in heaven. Tony is now without pain after 50 years of agony 24/7. Tony is survived by his devoted wife of 54 years, Marie Calandra (Mrs. Cookie the Clown), his brother, Vincent and wife, Anna, Pietro Calandra, (his Godchild) and his family and Vito Calandra and his family. Also survived by six Convertino nephews; Father David, Danny, Tommy, Ricky, Jimmy and Gary John (his Godchild). Tony loved helping Marie (Mrs. Cookie) as she performed and enjoyed all the children while he was busy distributing clown stickers, candy and trinkets. Tony also was an assistant on Marie’s Cookie bus tours. He loved meeting the performers backstage at any luncheon show, dinner shows - especially Julius LaRosa, Charlie Prose, the Gaylords, and Jimmy Sturr. Tony was a very smart, caring person and never complained even when he was at his lowest painful points. Tony (and Marie) wish to thank some very special angels- Bobby Charlier, who was the perfect idea of a son we never had, Maryann Mallery, who was the perfect daughter we never had, Isabelle Hashem, who was there when we needed help. To Karen Kretsch, Hank Danoli, and Pam Pringle for being there for us at every Santo Pio event since 1993. To the masters, Glorie, Joe, and Tommy, who helped Tony in so many ways, especially during the flood of 2011. We wish to thank very much, Dr. Alan Miller, who was so cautious, meticulous, and compassionate when dealing with Tony’s multi-diseases, especially since he was allergic to so many medications. A special thanks to the Hospice program and the Hospice nurses; Colleen, Rachel, Jacob, Tess/Maria, Theresa, Sabrina, Cathy and Stacey, the manager. Also all the Hospice aides; Mary Cosentino, Rhonda and Dixie. Thanks also to Karen Browne, our Lourdes Wound Care Center Nurse. You are all so dedicated and made us feel like family. Though Tony was born in Italy, he was very proud to be an American Citizen and fulfilled his (second) country’s obligation by voting and becoming community active with special pride and love in his heart. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:30 am from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Joseph’s Church at 12 pm. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Owego. The family will receive friends at the Allen Memorial Home Thursday from 3-7 pm. Goodbye Gracie…my special little immigrant. We will all miss you so much. Listen to Santo Pio, my love.