GERALD R. "GERRY" CALANDE

CALANDE, GERALD R. “GERRY” 95, of Rawlinson Drive in Coventry, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 5, at West Shore Health Center, one year to the day after the passing of the Love of His Life, Barbara (Danesco) D’Amato. They were life partners for more than 40 years. Gerry was the son of the late Ernest and Blondine (Dubeau) Calande.

He was reared in West Warwick before graduating from John F. Deering High School in 1947 and enlisting in what was then known as the US Army/Air Force. He served in Fairbanks, AK, as a radio technician. Following his honorable discharge, Gerry returned to his home state to work as an Avionics Specialist at the Davisville/Quonset Naval Air Station. He retired after 25 years of service.

Many hobbies entertained Gerry through the years. In the good times he was a frequent deep-sea fisher, crossword connoisseur, and tinkerer. He was a veritable Jack of All Trades, liable to spend his time raising chinchillas or enthusiastically following the latest horse race. He found his passion in maintaining his yearly vegetable garden. He frequently found himself and his garden on defense when it came to protecting his plants from the local fauna, until one year where he switched to the offense and captured more than 70 critters in his garden. He was sure to humanely relocate every one of them, far away from his home in Coventry. Gerry was given the honor of upholding the family’s secret piccalilli recipe.

Gerry and Barbara found immense joy in vacationing. They were frequent visitors in Florida and Block Island, and became familiar faces at many of Barbara’s family outings, spending time with Donna, Joanne, and Terry. When times were tough, Gerry would never duck responsibility. Toward the end of their lives, Gerry was the primary advocate, comfort, and caregiver to both of his parents. 
Gerry’s conviction for his faith never wavered. He was a longtime parishioner of Saints John and Paul Catholic Church while also serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, and the Crompton Vets.

Gerry is survived by his son Raymond and his wife Lourdes, and their daughters, Nicole and Mariel. He is also survived by his daughter Carolann Calande and her children, James Ballard and Jennifer Pennington. His surviving siblings include Ernest and Marguerite Calande, Jeannine and (the late) Philip Holmen. He was predeceased by Roger (the late Shirley), Armand (the late Helen), and Paul Calande. 
Toward the end of his life, Gerry relied heavily on his niece, Renee Pollan, as his caregiver and advocate. He is also survived by several of his nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and their families.

A visiting hour will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 9:15 am to 10:15 am in the Iannotti Funeral Home at MAPLE ROOT, 2000 Nooseneck Hill Rd.,(95/exit 18/Rte.3) Coventry, with a Mass of Christian Burial 11:00 am in Saints John & Paul Church. Interment with military honors, at Saint Joseph Cemetery in West Greenwich. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to a favorite charity would be appreciated. iannottifh.com

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