Angelo Calchi

Angelo Calchi, 100, of Royal Palm Beach, Florida passed away peacefully on October 15, 2024. Angelo was born on March 17, 1924, in Porto Empedocle, Sicily. He spent his childhood and early adult years there and attended college. An avid linguist, Angelo spoke Italian, English, French, Latin and some Spanish. A talented calligrapher, he had innate artistic abilities from a very young age. When he was 23, he joined the Italian Navy. Just 2 years later, he joined the Merchant Marines which took him to the United States. Settling in New York, Angelo worked as a longshoreman, in a stove factory, and painted doll faces to be able to provide for his family back in Sicily. In September of 1954, he married the love of his life, Nunziata Parrinello, in a big and beautiful double wedding in which his brother also married her sister. The couple resided in Howard Beach, New York, and welcomed a son and a daughter. A dedicated, hard-working husband and family man, Angelo began taking classes for art and later became a top textile designer with Cranston Printworks while also freelancing in the evenings and weekends. In 1977, health issues warranted a move to warmer South Florida. Once retired, Angelo continued to paint beautiful works of art and enjoyed gardening, landscaping, listening to opera, discussing history and debating politics. He also loved jelly donuts, cannolli, chocolate, fruit pies, red wine mixed with 7-up, pasta, pizza with lots of anchovies, seafood, dancing, decorating for the holidays, and spending time with family and friends. Tirelessly helping his wife with daily chores, a touch of OCD earned him the nickname of "Mr. Clean". He was always a good sport when teased about his cleanliness, his accent, and his misuse of American expressions. Angelo was always a sharp dresser and never owned a pair of jeans in his life. He loved to wear a suit and tie to church every Sunday with a pair of freshly shined shoes. Having a fresh shave followed by a splash of Aqua Velva was a daily ritual. And making sure anyone who came over had something to eat and was warm was also on top of his priority list. One of his greatest joys in life was becoming a grandfather to Angela Badalamenti and helping to raise her and guide her. His face beamed with joy and pride whenever he was in her presence. Angelo was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. Respect for God, Country, family, and friends was truly the cornerstone of his existence, and he taught this to his children and granddaughter. A simple, proper, and modest man, he also taught his children and granddaughter about the value of the dollar and living within one's means. Not having an envious bone in his body, he would always rejoice in the successes of others and had a special place in his heart for the less fortunate. A civil rights advocate, his mild temperament would quickly change when discussing any social injustice. He was the sweetest soul with the most sensitive heart and appreciated anything and everything that was done for him. While he was blessed with a long life, it was not without its challenges. The love and support of his wife, family, friends, and the tender loving care given by his compassionate nurses and caregivers (our angels on Earth) were what carried him through the final years of his illness. His wife took her vows of "in sickness and in health" very seriously, and somehow he seemed to understand the sacrifices she made to keep him at home with the very best of care. He often kissed the hands of all the ladies who approached him and, in rare moments of lucidity, would muster the strength to say "thank you". His loss will be forever felt by all who knew him and his legacy of artistic talent will live on in the beautiful paintings that adorn the walls of his home and his children's homes. Angelo is survived by his wife of 70 years, Nunziata Calchi, his son, Joseph Calchi, (Michelle), his daughter, Catherine Badalamenti (Giacomo), his granddaughter, Angela Badalamenti, his siblings, Assunta Sorrentino and Franca San Filippo. He was preceded in death by his parents, Caterina and Giuseppe Calchi, his brother Luigi Calchi, and his sister Giuseppina Melluso.