Mario Calvagna

Mario Calvagna (Rockford, IL), age 89, passed away on September 28, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfonzo and Emanuella, his siblings Mario, Biaggio, Russell, William, and Frances. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn, son Paul and wife Lisa and granddaughters Meghan and Rebecca, son Phil and wife Michele and granddaughter Elena, and son Peter, as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.
The eldest surviving son of Italian immigrants, Mario was dedicated to his family and proud of his Italian heritage. He graduated from West High School in Rockford, after which he joined the Navy and served in the Pacific Theater at the end of World War II. He served on the USS Lexington and served Shore Patrol on the Island of Guam. Upon discharge he was a member of the Navy Club.
Mario worked for 42 years as an engineer at Sundstrand Corporation, serving in many of their divisions including magnetics, machine tool, hydraulics, and aviation. He developed a love for travel. Mario renewed contact with his relatives in Italy, and in his retirement traveled twice to his family’s ancestral homeland as well as to Great Britain, Sweden and Hawaii. In 2016, at 88 years old, Mario and his wife, Marilyn, continued to travel, participating in a Vets Roll honor trip to Washington, D.C.
As a member of St. Bernadette’s Catholic Parish in Rockford, Mario served as a Commentator, volunteered with the senior organization, the Holy Name Society and Boy Scouts, and organized the senior health fair for many years. In the community, he and Marilyn served as election judges for many years.
Mario’s greatest joy was family. From fishing trips with his sons and in laws to planting beans and carrots with his granddaughters, Mario could always be found in the midst of family. He filled and hid Easter eggs every year. He attended the high school and elementary school programs of his granddaughters, never missing an invitation. From the simplest preschool art show, to Veteran’s Day Programs, to college graduations, he was always there with hugs and praise. Every birthday was celebrated. Every milestone cheered. Every ice cream-covered “faccia lordo” (messy face) cheerfully embraced.
“Where there is great grief, there was great love.” Mario loved greatly and was loved greatly in return. He will be greatly missed as well.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with rosary recited at 7:45 p.m. on Monday, October 2, 2017 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Avenue. Funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3 at St. Bernadette’s Catholic Church, 2400 North Bell Avenue. Burial to follow in Calvary Catholic Cemetery. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.