Joseph Calderaro, 96, of Tuscan Gardens in Venice, Florida, passed away peacefully on August 15, 2026.

Joe was born on May 18, 1930, in Jersey City, New Jersey, and moved with his family to Flushing, New York, soon after. It was in Flushing that he was raised, graduated high school, and met the love of his life, Joan. Not long after graduating, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country during the Korean War. Upon his return home, he married Joan, and together they built a life and family that would span 44 years of marriage, raising four children: Thomas, Lynn, Diane, and James.

Joe went on to become a New York City Firefighter, a career he devoted himself to for 22 years, working his way up through the ranks to ultimately retire as a Chief. During his service, a caving roof caused him and fellow firefighters to fall six stories in a serious on-the-job accident. Joe broke his back in the fall, yet true to his tough, resilient nature, he worked his way through recovery and returned to duty within a year. He eventually retired sooner than he would have liked, but he carried the pride of his service and the brotherhood of the FDNY with him for the rest of his life.

In 1984, Joe moved to Florida, where he began a second career in service to others, working with intake patients at Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Venice Bon Secours Hospital, caring for individuals facing mental health challenges. He dedicated 13 years to this work before his final retirement, continuing a lifelong pattern of showing up for people in need.

After being widowed a second time, Joe showed a remarkable strength and independence, living on his own and later moving to Country Club Estates in Venice, where he made many friends and enjoyed a very social and active lifestyle for over 10 years before moving to Tuscan Gardens. He made friends easily wherever he went, and though he called Tuscan Gardens home for only a little over 16 months, he was deeply known and loved by every staff member and resident who had the privilege of knowing him.

Joe was a lifelong athlete and fitness enthusiast. He loved football, was an avid racquetball player, and enjoyed cross-country bicycling, running, pickleball, baseball, and strength training well into his later years. He never lost his love of watching sports of every kind, all year round. Joe's toughness and resilience showed time and again throughout his life: on a group bicycle ride, he broke his neck in three places, leaving him paralyzed at first, yet within months he was back on his bike even when he could hardly lift his arms. Another bicycle accident later broke his pelvis, and once again he recovered fully, returning to pickleball, strength training, and the active life he loved.

Joe was a devoted man of faith, a lifelong Catholic who attended Sunday Mass without fail throughout his life, continuing his faithful worship all the way to the end, attending services held at Tuscan Gardens right up until his passing. He believed deeply that Mary was the way to God's Kingdom, and he prayed the rosary daily, dedicating each day's prayers to a different loved one.

Fittingly, he was called home on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day of profound meaning for a man of such devoted faith.

Above all, Joe loved his family deeply, and was loved every bit as much in return.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 44 years, Joan Calderaro; his second wife, Gloria Lyman Calderaro; his son, Thomas Calderaro; his granddaughter, Nicole Maria Calderaro Messina; and his four siblings: Angelo Calderaro, Jack Calderaro, Tony LeDuc, and Lucille Bumford.

He is survived by his children, Lynn Calderaro, Diane Calderaro, and James Calderaro; and his grandchildren, Joseph Calderaro, Danielle Calderaro, and Anthony Calderaro.

Joe will be remembered for his strength, his faith, his devotion to family, his service to his country and community, and the joyful, generous spirit he brought to everyone he met. He leaves behind a legacy of love that will endure in the hearts of all who knew him.

[Service and visitation details to be added]