Thomas Joseph Caldarera Jr.

Thomas Joseph Caldarera, Jr, 90, died on Friday, February 12, 2021. He was the only child born to Concetta and Thomas Caldarera on March 3, 1930. Because of his strong bond with his Lovoi cousins he never felt like an only child. Tom met Dorothy Neihouse during a CYO dance at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The romance began when Dorothy asked her roommate, Tom's cousin, to introduce them, which started a four-year courtship resulting in marriage on August 22, 1959. Shortly after their marriage, their family grew from two into seven children, twenty-four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Tom passed his dedication to family onto his five daughters and two sons: Katherine (Dan) Hornung, their four children, Nick (Sax and baby Edwin), Ben (Sylvia and her son Sebastian), Matt (Markayla), and Anne Marie; Sharon (Sam) Sicard her three children Joshua (son Liam), Rebecca (daughter Adrienne), and Jessica (daughter Stella); Janet Richardson her three children Emily (Adam) Young, Adam, and Olivia; Mary (Brett) Baker their two children Alexis (Michael and daughter Mila) and Zachary (Stephanie); Dianne (Kenny) Hart, their three children Joseph, Caroline, and Anna; Thomas (Traci) Caldarera their five children Tommy, Eli, Ian, Karis and Atticus; and Joe (Kathleen) Caldarera and their four children Kylie, Lucas, Jonah, and Jack.

Tom graduated Valedictorian from Saint Anne's High School in 1948. After high school, Tom attended Fort Smith Junior College, now known as UAFS. He continued his education at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He enjoyed showing his grandkids his name etched in the Senior Walk on the U of A campus.

His civic leadership started early in life. He was elected the president of the student body while attending Fort Smith Junior College. During his term, the student body started the first campaign to raise money to move the college to the current location. Tom was involved in numerous church and community organizations. As a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, he served as the past President of the Parish Council, School Board, and Finance Committee; was a past member of the Knights of Columbus; is a current Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher. The community boards he served on included The Little Theater, Fort Smith Symphony, Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce, Fort Smith Heritage Foundation, St Scholastica Academy Development, Next Step Homeless Services, and Advertisement and Promotion Commission. His awards included the Lifetime Service Award from Next Step Homeless Services, The Victor L Cary Achievement Award, The Frontier Award, and The National Restaurant Association Humanitarian Award.

Tom's most treasured accomplishment was Taliano's Italian Restaurant, which he started with his lifetime friend, Jim Cadelli. Taliano's was one of the first Italian restaurants in Fort Smith. Tom was passionate about feeding his community. Many nights people would knock on the restaurant's back door asking for food; he never turned a hungry person away. He believed in the mantra, "feed my people." His commitment also extended to making homemade soup every Tuesday and Thursday for the St. John's Sack Lunch Program.

Public viewing is Thursday, February 18, and Friday, February 19 at Edwards Funeral Home from 10 am to 5 pm. Immaculate Conception Church will host the Rosary on Saturday, February 20, at 11:30 am, followed by a funeral Mass at noon. The Mass will be livestreamed on Immaculate Conception Church’s Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorial contributions be made to Immaculate Conception Church or School, Trinity Catholic Junior High School, or Next Step Homeless Services.