John Angelo Calametti, Jr.

John Angelo Calametti, Jr., age 90, passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Thelma Barclay Calametti; his children, Patricia Calametti McAleer, Anne Michele (Roger) Baer, Mary Angela (Harvey) Watson, Jeffrey David (Karen) Calametti, Anthony Gerard (Holly) Calametti, and Elizabeth Barclay (Andrew) Weed; a sister, Sara C. Niggemeyer; 19 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. John was preceded in death by his parents, John Angelo Calametti, Sr. and Mary Unruh Calametti; and a sister, Florence Jones. He was active in both sports and student government activities during his time at McGill. He played football, basketball and baseball for the Jackets and earned 7 varsity letters during his high school years. During his senior year, he was captain of the football team and was named to the 1943 All-City football team. He was also co-captain of the basketball team during his senior year and was a member of the 1944 All-City basketball team. Mr. Calametti was a United States Navy veteran of World War II and was employed with the Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department for 44 years with the city of Mobile, and served as Director for many years. John was awarded the Christ the King Medal for outstanding service to St. Joseph Catholic Church by Archbishop Rodi and was a sportswriter for the Mobile Press Register. John was inducted into the McGill-Toolen Hall of Fame in 1981. He was on the initial committee that started the Special Olympics in Mobile and he was President of Mobile Track and Field Association. After serving in the United States Navy during World War II, he attended Spring Hill College and received his bachelor of science in commerce degree in 1950. Following his retirement as the City of Mobile’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture in 1990, he obtained a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of South Alabama in 1993. He has served as a volunteer at the University of South Alabama Archives and the Friends of the Spring Hill College Library’s “Book Nook.” Visitation will be Saturday, February 18, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the City of St. Jude, Montgomery and Catholic Charities. Condolences may be offered online at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.