Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero Jr.

Louisiana Supreme Court Retired Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr., 87, passed away surrounded by family on December 20, 2018. Over his long life of service, Chief Justice Calogero was known by many names: “Junior,” “Pas,” “Nunny,” “Dad,” “Judge,” “Chief Justice Calogero,” or just “Chief.” No matter which name, he answered to all with friendship and devotion. He loved his family and friends, and he loved the law.

Chief Justice Calogero is survived by his wife Leslie M. Langhetee; ten children, Debbie Calogero Applebaum (Bobby Applebaum), David (Gina), Pascal, III, Elizabeth, Thomas (Lindsey), Michael (Amanda), Stephen (Kym), Gerald, Katie (Matt Hupman), and Chrissy Calogero (Brian Keating); eleven grandchildren, Sarah and Benjamin Applebaum, Alex, Andrew, Mark, Caroline, Lauren, Mason, and Jack Calogero, Joli Moss, James Hupman; his sisters-in-law, Joyce and Iris Calogero; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Pascal F. Calogero, Sr., a New Orleans Police Officer, and Louise Moore Calogero, a homemaker, as well as his siblings Geraldine, Jack, and Robert Calogero and Grace Calogero Spiess.

A native New Orleanian, Chief Justice Calogero was a devout Catholic and a proud graduate of St. Aloysius High School (’49), where he played baseball and studied under the school’s namesake-to-be: Brother Martin. His academic prowess earned him a scholarship to attend Loyola University, where the social justice teachings of the Loyola priests had a profound effect on his thinking. Chief Justice Calogero earned his law degree in 1954, graduating first in his class and serving as President of the Student Editorial Board of the Loyola Law Review. He later received a Master of Laws in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia (’92). He served three years in the U.S. Army as a military police officer and as a “JAG” in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps and worked as a law clerk at Civil District Court in Orleans Parish prior to practicing law from 1958 to 1972 with the law firm of Landrieu, Calogero & Kronlage with life-long friends Moon Landrieu and Charles A. Kronlage, Jr.

In 1972, Chief Justice Calogero was elected to the Louisiana Supreme Court and was reelected in 1974, 1988, and 1998. He served for 36 years, the longest-serving justice in the history of the Louisiana Supreme Court, and served as Chief Justice from April 9, 1990 until his retirement from the Court on December 31, 2008. As Chief Justice, he spearheaded numerous reform initiatives and considered his Court’s most important administrative achievements to be completion of the restoration of the Royal Street Courthouse, improvements in Louisiana’s indigent defense system, improvements in both the attorney and judicial disciplinary systems, and the maintenance of a consistently current court docket for 36 years. While on the bench, he authored over 1,000 learned majority opinions, concurrences, and dissents, and participated in over 6,000 oral arguments and published opinions. His opinions and writings are a reflection of his intellect, integrity, incredible work ethic, respect for the rule of law, and passionate dedication to civil liberties, fairness, and justice.

Following his retirement from the Court, Chief Justice Calogero returned to the private practice of law, opening his own boutique firm focused on appellate practice, and serving Of Counsel to the law firms of Ajubita, Leftwich and Salzer, LLC and Jennifer C. Deasy, LLC. His colleagues and his clients alike admired his integrity and mastery of the law.

Chief Justice Calogero’s career as a jurist and judicial reformer has been recognized by many accolades and honors. However, more important to him than any career honors was the time he spent with his large family, close friends, and many law clerks dancing, singing, fishing and hunting, sharing stories and laughter, teaching, and especially sharing his love of the law, which he passed on to six of his children, who are practicing attorneys. Despite his many accomplishments, throughout his life he remained humble and grateful for his family and friends. He was kind and gracious to everyone he met. And he maintained his zest for life, his big, beautiful smile, and the twinkle in his eyes through his final days.

The Family would like to thank the staff of St. Anna’s at Lambeth House and of Serenity Hospice for their loving care. Visitation will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home on Thursday, December 27, 5:00-8:00 pm, and at Holy Name of Jesus Church on Friday, December 28, starting at 9:00 am. Funeral services will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Church at 10:30 am. A reception will follow the funeral mass on Loyola’s Campus, which colleagues, friends, and family are invited to attend. A private burial will be held after the reception. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Innocence Project New Orleans and Loyola University New Orleans. To view and sign the family guestbook, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.com.