Vincent J. Caliri, of Lawrence, passed away Monday, March 13, following a long battle with dementia.
Caliri was born in Lawrence in 1921, son of the late Giuseppe and Francesca Caliri. He attended city schools, graduating from Lawrence High School in 1939. He enrolled at Boston University, but was called to serve in the Army Air Corps for nearly four years. He married his wife, the former Mildred Fallon, and shared 70 years of marriage with her. He returned to Boston University and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1947.
He joined the family’s jewelry business, the former Caliri Inc. on Essex Street in Lawrence. When it closed in 1966, he entered education, teaching mathematics in the Breen and Kane Schools. He later became principal at the new Salem Street School, and finally was principal of the Leonard School for many years. Following his school retirement in 1987, he began a third career, operating an antiques business with his wife until 2011.
He and Millie had been active skiers and were members of the Lawrencians Ski Club. He also enjoyed fishing with his close friends at Lake Winnipesaukee, annual ventures to the antiques shows in Brimfield with his wife, trips to Foxwoods with his son in-law, and attending Red Sox games with his son. But most memorable were the many holiday family gatherings that he took pride and joy in hosting, including the huge annual Fourth of July open house parties.
In addition to his wife, he leaves children, Susan Bernardin and husband Joseph of Haverhill and Gregory Caliri and wife Joan of Bradford; four grandchildren, Lindsay Weddell and husband Rick of Mountain View, Ala., Jill Patruno and husband Jonas of Southampton, Andrew Hollinger and companion Justine Carleton of Haverhill, Ainsley Hollinger-Flynn of Methuen and Brooke Hollinger DiPietro of Methuen; eight great-grandchildren, Samantha, Emily, Mackenzie, Liam, Joey, Jackson, Olivia, and Miles; and many nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours are Saturday, March 18, at Driscoll Funeral Home, 309 South. Main St., Bradford, from 1 to 4 p.m., with a Celebration of his life beginning at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice.