Reno "Rink" Louis Calcari

Reno “Rink” Louis Calcari died at his home, surrounded by family, on June 13, 2020. He was born September 14, 1948 to Marion “Reno” Angelo and Lucille Rummer Calcari. He married his high school sweetheart Kathryn Jean Gerhardt, daughter of Kay and Lourine Gerhardt, on July 25, 1970 at St. Michael’s Church. They made their home Staunton where they raised their three children. As a lifelong member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Rink attended St. Michael’s Catholic School graduating in 1962 and Staunton High School graduating in 1966. He graduated from Bradley University in 1970 and began his teaching career at Alton High School in the Business Department. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Illinois in 1973. Rink was an educator, primarily teaching business classes at Alton High School as well as English and literature at Alton’s West and North Middle Schools, until he retired in 2004. He always had many side jobs, from helping his father at Calcari Distributing Company in delivering Stag and Miller High Life beers, collecting and selling old beer bottles and sports memorabilia at flea markets, selling cars at Bond and Drew Ford, helping his sons run a summer yard business and even trying his hand at selling smoke detectors. He valued sports in all its forms and thoroughly enjoyed coaching each of his three children in soccer, basketball and baseball as well as many other kids along the way, who still benefit from his words of encouragement to “dig, dig, dig, dig” until the end. He was an avid sports fan, especially of Chicago sports – the Blackhawks, Bears and Cubs – and Notre Dame football, and was even a Cardinal fan when they weren’t playing the Cubs. Rink took pride in and valued his hometown of Staunton. His motto was “Always give back from where you received,” and he stayed true to that motto throughout his life. Rink was a constant volunteer – from the Library Board to the School Board, and from the Knights of Columbus bingo nights to charity auctions for Staunton FFA, Youth Football Program, Sports Boosters, Staunton Post Prom, St. Michael’s Octoberfest, Zion Lutheran and Adopt-a-Pet to name a few. Good food, friends, drink and music were always part of Rink’s life too. He loved to laugh, joke and share stories with those he treasured and those he was just meeting for the first time. Rink – later known as Grampy – powered through three kinds of cancers. He chose to fight cancer with how he lived, citing his faith, family and friends as a source of daily strength. Ever a teacher, he showed his family and friends what grace, love and humor can be, until his very last breath. He is preceded in death by his parents and other cherished family and friends. Rink is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Kathryn; three children Nathan and Stephanie Calcari and their children Reagan and Brecken of Creve Coeur, MO, Lucas and Shae Calcari and their children Bella and Mia of New Melle, MO, and Meaghan Calcari Campbell and Michael Campbell of San Francisco, CA; his sister Judith Calcari of Dubuque, IA; adopted-by-love sister Marjorie Hunn; and extended family and friends near and far. Rink touched so many people’s lives in such positive ways that everyone who really knew him understood his love of life and family and how he always had a good story to share. Visitation will be Friday, June 19 from 4pm-8pm and Saturday June 20 from 9am-11am at St. Michael’s Church, followed by a funeral mass at 11am at St. Michael’s Church. Because of COVID restrictions, both events will practice social distancing, and masks are encouraged; the number of people at the funeral service will be limited in accordance with the Diocese. Memorials are suggested to St. Michael’s Church Stained Glass Window Restoration Fund, Zion Lutheran Alumni and Friends, and the Staunton Education Foundation. 

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