Peter Joseph Calamari III

Peter Joseph Calamari, III a native of New Orleans passed away at his Denham Springs home on April 28, 2012 from heart failure at the age of 70 years. He was the beloved husband of Catherine Ann Sage Calamari, mother of Gloria L Francois, James T Molinario Jr, Bruce P Molinario, June M Lemoine, Karen T Molinario and Gregg C Molinario. Peter was a grandfather of 15 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren. Brother of Michael P Calamari and Paul D Calamari and uncle of Michael P Calamari Jr, Suzanne C Ledet, Katherine C Cobb, Victoria C Lombard, Peter J Calamari IV and 6 grand nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents, Ruby Ann and Peter J Calamari, Jr.

Peter is a graduate of Holy Cross High School where was captain of wrestling and football teams as well as all-state in both sports. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame, then went on to the attend Notre Dame Seminary. He was ordained a Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of New Orleans and served in various church parishes from 1968-1981.

Peter continued his dedication to others by founding and developing Discovery Early Childhood Development Program in 1984, to provide high quality early childhood experiences for young children, until 2004. At the same time, he embarked on his 30 year civil service career with Louisiana’s citizens with developmental disabilities - first at the Metropolitan Development Center in Belle Chase and then in Hammond. Peter had a passion for all people, but the vulnerable were those he remembered first. His work and personal sacrifices impacted the life of tens of thousands of individuals.

Peter brought his talents to help lead the consolidation of the Louisiana State Offices of Addictive Disorders and Mental Health into the newly created Office of Behavioral Health. In his role as Deputy Assistant Secretary, he helped shape a historic transformation in behavioral health care for all the residents of the state.

In recognition of his unselfish 30 years of service to the citizens of Louisiana, in 2011 Peter was nominated for and received the Charles E. Dunbar, Jr. Career Service Award. Those who nominated Peter said: “There are dreamers and doers, but Mr. Calamari has demonstrated that he is one of the few exceptional people who encompasses both of these roles. He is a visionary with a meticulous plan tucked firmly under his arm.”

Relatives and friends of the family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Jacob Schoen and Son Funeral Home located at 3827 Canal Street ,New Orleans, LA from 10:30 am -12:30 pm with the funeral mass beginning at 12:30pm and burial to follow in Greenwood Cemetery. Express condolences on line at www.schoencanalstreet.com