Calvin S. Birch

Calvin Sylvester Birch Sr., a resident of Stamford, Connecticut, passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at age 90. A wake will be held on Monday, May 9, 2016 from 4pm to 8pm at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06905. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 at Bethel AME Church, 150 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut 06902. There will be a viewing from 10am to 11am and the funeral services will begin at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Stamford Rites of Passage c/o Turn of River Middle School, 117 Vine Road, Stamford, Connecticut 06905.

Calvin, the son of Moses Birch and Rita Braxton, grew up in Camden, New Jersey with four older sisters and brothers. After graduating high school, he served in the Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate. Following his service to his country, Calvin moved to Bridgeport and then Stamford, Connecticut, to work for the Board of Education, where he retired at 65 as the head custodian. He enjoyed retirement for six long months; however, his active spirit and desire to help others motivated him to return to work as a bus driver for Stamford schools, and later, Student Transportation of America. He held this position until his death. Calvin was an avid New York Mets fan and enjoyed watching the New York Jets for years before converting to a New England Patriots fan in recent years.

Calvin had seven children from his first marriage to Evoria Birch. Calvin Jr., Craig, Tina, Darlene, and Keith all live in Stamford, Connecticut, his oldest, Bruce Payne, lives in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Alonzo White lives in Greenville, North Carolina. Calvin was also close to his daughter-in-laws Claire, Brenda, and Rosemary. During his second marriage to Geraldine Birch in 1979, Calvin inherited three additional children: Valerie, Rudolph, and Gregory, along with daughter-in-laws Laura and Daisy. Between his ten children, Calvin was a beloved grandfather to an army of grand and great-grandchildren.

Calvin was preceded by his parents and four siblings. Surviving are all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.