Mr. Calandra Dies at 94
Mr. Calandra Dies at 94
Luciano Calandra, Sr., 94, of Livingston, died on Tuesday, November 5. Relatives and friends were invited to attend a funeral Mass celebrated at St. Philomena Church in Livingston on Friday, November 8. Entombment followed at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery Chapel Mausoleum in East Hanover.
In 1957, at the age of 27, Mr. Calandra left his family farm in Camporeale, Sicily, and emigrated to the United States. He was the first of his family to immigrate, and without yet speaking any English, he settled with relatives in New Jersey.
He found his first job as an unpaid apprentice at a bakery and thus found his passion for the bakery business. Luciano bought a small storefront in Newark, and alongside his wife, Ortenza Calandra, founded Calandra’s Bakery in 1962.
He is survived by his children, Anthony and Luciano Calandra; his sister, Margherita; his six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Mr. Calandra is predeceased by his wife, Ortenza (née Gencarelli) Calandra; his brothers, Giacomo and Salvatore; and his sister, Santa.