David J. Calchera of Eastford, CT, Boston, MA, and St. Petersburg, FL died unexpectedly on July, 19, 2019 in the loving care of his family and prayerful thoughts of his friends. David was born in Bridgeport, CT to Olin and Louise Calchera on December 21, 1944. He lives on in his wife of 51 years, Maryellen, and his daughters: Amy Young, her husband Jay Young, and their daughters Caroline and Emma; and Megan and her daughter, Phoebe. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Gerwein and her husband Edwin, sisters-in-law; Barbara Tessitore and her husband Gary; Kathleen Cropper and her husband Steve; and Maureen Schaaf, as well as loving nephews, nieces, and cousins. David earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Boston College and a Masters in Educational Psychology from University of Connecticut. David had an innate sense of social and participatory justice and fairness that led him to be the youngest mayor of the City of Willimantic and the founding director of EASTCONN. From those positions, he was an unrelenting advocate for all those who, with educational or other assistance, could fulfill their potential. Whatever the need, David would find a way to provide. All became his specialty – special education classroom integration, early childhood development, k-12 students, transportation, adult and community education, and educational public policy. David was active in both state and nationwide educational associations where he was loved and respected. He was as a member of The
Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) where he served as the President in 1991 and later as their Chairperson of the Federal Relations Committee. After his first retirement, he became the Director of Public Policy for the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), where he served as president from 1994-1995, and used his professional experience, personal skills, and political acumen to influence educational policy on local, state, and national levels. His own self-taught love of arts and culture and never-ending regard for Willimantic led him to establish the EASTCONN Arts at the Capital Theater (ACT) magnet high school, the directors of which named the main theater space for David. Most important to David, from his teenage years onward, was his beloved Maryellen whom he adored and cherished as she did him. They exemplified true partnership - always together, they accomplished their personal and professional successes and saw each other through serious illnesses. Their greatest joy was their daughters and granddaughters. They lived the highs and lows of their children’s lives and then their grandchildren’s lives and provided them all the love, encouragement, compassion, stability, and common sense that have fostered the same qualities in all of them. The home David and Maryellen created was warm, safe, and welcoming to all and many experienced and appreciated that acceptance. The loss of David to his family is incalculable, but their experience of him will be their guide forever. David’s love of family and friends was unbounded, his work ethic and sense of responsibility impeccable, and his sense of humor dry and wicked. What marked his final years most was the love of his family and friends and his joy in living every day. As a life-long learner he reveled in exploring new experiences and expanding his world view through reading, classes, lectures, museums, and all types of music. He also continued to make his voice heard through political action, attending rallies and marches, particularly in support of gender equality and gun control. His unending optimism that we as individuals, and as a country, can always be kinder, smarter, and better will be missed.
A celebration of David’s life will be held in Connecticut in late Fall. The family asks that donations be made to the ACT magnet school of which David was so very proud. Checks should be made out and sent to EASTCONN ACT MAGNET SCHOOL, C/O EASTCONN, 376 Hartford Turnpike, Hampton, CT 06247.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.beachmemorialchapel.com for the Calchera family.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18