James N. Calabrese

James N. Calabrese, age 74, passed away at home,  surrounded by his family,  on Sunday, October 8th.  He was the beloved son of the late Thomas J. and Lillian J. (nee Nelson) Calabrese.

Jim, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, is survived by his loving wife, Margaret Calabrese (nee Mitchell); son Michael J. Calabrese (Abigail); grandsons Jack and Henry Calabrese; brother-in-law Joseph Mitchell (Rosemary), sisters-in-law Ann Attanasio (Lawrence) and Mary Mitchell (Joseph Burau) and many nieces and  nephews. He was predeceased by his brother and sister-in-law, Thomas J. and Marian “Bunny” Calabrese.

Jim was a true New Yorker. He was raised in Garden City South, NY. He graduated from Chaminade High School, Mineola, NY and LeMoyne College, Syracuse, NY. He was proud of his service in the Marine Corps and his 30 year career in the financial industry, which began at Bache & Co in 1976. He moved to Philadelphia in 1984 as Regional Sales Manager for Prudential-Bache Securities.

Sports were a daily part of Jim’s life and brought him countless moments of joy. He lived a charmed life as a spectator. He was in attendance for Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series; he witnessed Christian Laettner’s buzzer beater against Kentucky at the Spectrum during the 1992 NCAA Tournament, and he sat behind home plate at Yankee Stadium for Derek Jeter’s 3,000th hit. These moments served as perfect material for his true passion - telling stories, preferably with a cocktail in his hand. 

Jim loved Wawa coffee, which he affectionately referred to as Mocha Jocha, and his beloved golden retriever, Koffee. He was at his happiest on the golf course, listening to rock and roll music, driving his many sports cars and hunkering down in his chair to watch a big game. He will always live in our hearts as a funny, passionate, and loving man, who was incredibly loyal to his family and friends. He will be dearly missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation for Jim on Thursday, October 12th from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at The Donohue Funeral Home, 366 West Lancaster Pike, Wayne, Pa. A second visitation will be held Friday, October 13th from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St Monica’s Church, 63 Main Ave, Berwyn, Pa, followed by his Mass of Christian burial at 11:00 AM. Interment at Calvary Cemetery, 235 Matsonford Rd, Conshohocken, Pa.