Rosario Calabria

Rosario Calabria of Massillon, Ohio went home to be with the lord on September 13, 2024 surrounded by his family after a long battle.

He was born in Sicily, Italy on April 23, 1942, to Giuseppe and Maria Calabria. Rosario came to the United States in the winter of 1955 to Niles, Ohio. He attended and graduated from Niles High School, Youngstown State University and later received a Master’s Degree from Middlebury College. He also attended the University of Pittsburgh and San Carlos University in Guatemala.

Rosario taught both French and Spanish at Jackson High School for 37 years and his beloved Italian for 10 years at Walsh University. He loved languages and was fluent in over five. He loved teaching and helping his students to appreciate culture.

Rosario married the love of his life Rosa on July 3,1976 and were together for 48 years of marriage. Together, they raised three loving boys. In addition to teaching, Rosario co-owned Indian Summer Tanning with his wife, which they ran successfully for 17 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, reading, listening to music, photography and videography, soccer, cards, enjoying good food, gardening and was always known for his blunt honesty and quirkiness.

He is survived by his wife Rosa; sons Joseph, Carmen and Rosario; daughter in-law Lisa; and grandkids, whom he loved with all his heart, Luca and Emilia; sister Mary Rose; and step-granddaughter Laeyana, as well as cousins, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and mother-in-law in Italy. He will be sorely missed and forever be remembered and loved as an amazing husband, father, “Nonno”, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to all.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, September 19, 2024, 1:30 PM, at Divine Mercy Parish – St. Barbara Catholic Church, 2813 Lincoln Way NW, Massillon, OH 44647. Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, PRIOR to Mass, at Paquelet Funeral Home, 1100 Wales Rd. NE, Massillon, OH 44646.

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