Roger Calanni

Roger worked at Al Tech, installed flooring for Pucci’s Carpets, and was very active in his local union. He served as President and Vice President of USW Local Union 2693 and as a delegate to the Dunkirk area Labor Council and the USW District 4 Legislative Committee. He chaired and served on many Local Union Committees including Compensation and Legislative Chairman. After his retirement Roger served as Vice President of SOAR Chapter 4-1 for many years.

In 1983 Roger worked with the local union and Al Tech to raise concerns regarding foreign steel imports. As Legislative Chairman he had over 15,000 postcards sent to Congress, which resulted in a change in Federal Law regarding steel imports. The Dunkirk Area Labor Council AFL-CIO presented Roger with the Life Achievement Award for his many years of service and dedication to the labor movement and his community.

He was a former Committee member of the local Democratic Party, and coached women’s softball and little league. He attended Cardinal Mindszenty, graduated Fredonia High School, and was a veteran of the US Air Force.

Roger will be remembered for his kind and compassionate nature, his love for his family, his devotion to the New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills, and his love of cooking, politics, and travel. He loved to visit historic sites and traveled to his father’s birthplace in Sicily in 2012. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Roger is survived by his wife, Kathleen (LaMarca) Calanni, of 56 years, as well as his children Kelly, and Roger (Ashley), his grandchildren Isabella, Talia, Frankie, and Via, and his sisters Janet (Stephen) Keefe of Fredonia, NY, Linda (Mark) Casper of Williamsville, NY, Mary (Thomas) Creagan of Easley, SC, sisters-in-law Lynette Calanni of Fredonia, NY and Carol (Franco) Perna of Palos Verdes, CA, and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents and in-laws, he was predeceased by his grandson Luca Sam, and his siblings Josephine (late Donald) Westling, Carmella (late James) Oakes, Delores (late Daniel) McCollum, Peter Calanni (Lynn), Nick Calanni (late Hal Youngblood), Louis (late Joyce) Calanni, and Larry Calanni.

A memorial mass will take place at 10am on November 25 at Saint Anthony’s Church in Fredonia, with coffee to follow downstairs.

Memorial contributions in Roger’s memory may be made to the Luca S. Calanni Foundation (livelikeluca.com).