Obituary of George Calano Jr.

George Calano Jr, 72, devoted family man and friend to many passed away on July 25, 2022, at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank, NJ. He was the beloved husband of 50 years to Barbara (Raskulinecz) Calano, father to Marci and son-in-low Richard Kliesch, and affectionately known as Poppy to his grandchildren, Richie, Katelyn, Timmy, and Aiden. He is also survived by his brothers Gary (Donna) and John Calano, and by many brothers- and sisters-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews, who will all miss him dearly. He is predeceased by his infant son Andrew. A life-long Staten Islander, born in 1949, he was the son of his late parents, Teresa (Porcell) and George Calano Sr. and grew up in the Sunnyside-Clove Lakes neighborhood. After their marriage in 1972, he and Barbara moved into a house just up the street from his childhood home where he remained until his passing. George graduated from Brooklyn Tech HS and received a BS from Springfield College and a MS from Long Island University. He spent his entire working career as a highly respected physical education teacher and athletic director at Collegiate School in Manhattan, where he also enjoyed a successful coaching career in cross country and track and field. After he retired from Collegiate, his passion for running sports continued until his passing as both a member and coordinator of cross country and track and field for the NYS Association of Independent Schools. Although he was a man of few words, his family and friends will remember George for his generosity and compassion as well as for his wicked sense of humor and quick wit. Above all, however, he was lovingly devoted to his grandchildren, who were his pride and joy. Everyone who knew and loved him will miss this extraordinary man greatly. Visitation hours will be held from 4 pm to 8 pm on Monday, August 1, and on Tuesday, August 2, at the Matthew Funeral Home, 2508 Victory Blvd, Staten Island. Condolences may also be shared with the family online at www.matthewfuneralhome.com. A funeral service will be held at St. Teresa's Church at 10:45 am on Wednesday, August 3, followed by the burial at Moravian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in George's memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org.