Obituary: Stephen R. Caliento, 89, of Fairfield

From Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home

Stephen R. Caliento, 89, of Fairfield, after combatting ill-health and Parkinson’s disease for several years, died peacefully on March 1st, 2017. He was the son of the late Anthony and Josephine (DellaDonna) Caliento and was pre-deceased by a brother, Tony.

As a young man, he delivered the Bridgeport Post and entered a competition in the paper winning $600. He was able to pay for his four years at Fairfield Prep with that money and was part of the first four-year graduating class (1946) there before going on to obtain a degree in Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana.

He worked for several engineering companies throughout the country and was proud to say he had travelled in 49 states, though Alaska eluded him. He also traveled extensively during his time in the Navy, including his time in the Korean War. He had many tales to tell about that time and about Japan, a country he enjoyed.

Listening to his records of music from the 20s, 30s, and 40s was his great joy, as were reading, and watching English football, and his great love, the UCONN women’s basketball team.

Stephen has left his best friend and wife, Patricia Cleary, his two other best friends, his sons, Evan (Kathleen) and Owen (Louisa Lam), and of course, the light of his life, his granddaughter, Mia. His brothers Robert and Lewis and their families will also miss his genial presence as will cousins, nieces, and nephews. We will miss him more and more each day.

A Mass will be said for Stephen on Tuesday, March 7th 2017 at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Fairfield. Interment is private.

To leave online condolences, visit Shaughnessey Banks Funeral Home here.