Joseph T Calabria

WOOSTER - Joseph T. Calabria, 96, of Wooster passed away Saturday, August 3, 2019 at his residence. He was born July 15, 1923 in Wooster to Joseph and Josephine Medea Calabria. In June of 1950 he married Jeannette I. Coccia. She preceded him in death on April 26, 2015. Joseph proudly served his country in the US Navy. In World War II, he served aboard the USS Eugene E. Elmore, a destroyer escort, as part of the anti-submarine group formed around the USS Block Island Aircraft Carrier. During the return protective passage from Casablanca, the Block Island and destroyer escort Barr were torpedoed. The Eugene E. Elmore sank the German submarine, then stood by the damaged USS Barr through the night, offloading her crew and wounded the next day. The Block Island was the only American carrier sunk in the Atlantic during the War. The Eugene E. Elmore then went to the South Pacific, joining the Seventh Fleet, working out of the Philippines providing cover for the landings at Subic Bay and escorting convoys to Okinawa. "Joe" was the owner of Coccia House. He loved his family and friends, and he loved going to work every day and spending time with his customers whom he enjoyed developing relationships with throughout the years. Joseph always loved a glass of red wine and playing pinochle. Surviving are a son Steve Calabria and daughter Karen Calabria, both of Wooster. In addition to his wife, Jeannette, and parents, Joseph was preceded in death by his siblings Mary Roska, Jennie Tampian, Carmella Scale, Concetta Scale, Rosie Iannarelli, Dom Calabria, and Leon Calabria. The family would like to send a special thank you to Wooster Community hospital and their home healthcare nurses, and Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare, for all of their care given to Joe. Friends will be received at the McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., in Wooster, on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 from 5-8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at 10:00 a.m at St. Mary Catholic Church, 527 Beall Ave., Wooster, with Father Rich Samide officiating. Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Wooster.