Michael Califano

Michael Califano, 97, passed away peacefully on December 28, 2019 with his family by his side. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Josephine; his two children, Richard Califano (Ellen) of Yonkers, NY and Joanne Natoli of Suffern, NY; four grandchildren, Eric Califano (Lindsay), Michael, Tommy, and Gina Natoli; and two great-grandchildren, Grace and James Califano.

Michael was born on January 1, 1922 in Brooklyn, NY to Anna and Abramo Califano. He resided in Nutley, NJ for 56 years where he was a parishioner of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. He married his beautiful childhood sweetheart, Josephine, on March 18, 1944. They were married for 75 years. As a veteran of World War II, Michael proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps, 4th Division, 18th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion in the Pacific, as part of the defense forces on Tinian and Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands (September 1942 – March 1946).

Michael was a hard worker; a painter by trade in the garment district in Manhattan, NY but his expertise did not stop there. He was known for his handy work on the job and around the house, and always found a creative way to fix or do anything he put his mind to. While painting was his profession, his hobby was oil painting.

Michael was an honorable man of character who loved and was deeply loved by his family, friends and neighbors from all walks of life. He is already terribly missed, but will live on through memories and traditions.

Services will be held at Wanamaker & Carlough Funeral Home (Suffern, NY) on Thursday, January 2, 2020 (2 pm – 4 pm and 6 pm – 8 pm). A mass of Christian burial will take place at 11am on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Sacred Heart Church (Suffern, NY) with interment to follow at Ascension Cemetery (Airmont, NY).

The family would like to sincerely thank Brighton Gardens of Saddle River and Villa Marie Claire Residential Hospice for their kindhearted and gentle care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his name can be made to Villa Marie Claire Residential Hospice or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.