Curtis Calderera, 80, passed away Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013, at 10 a.m. He was a native of Gramercy and resident of Lutcher.

Caldarera was known as a charitable, faithful, hard-working and loving person. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin, uncle and friend.

He attended Lutcher High School from 1948 to 1952 where he played quarterback for the football team and catcher for the baseball team. He was a member of the 1951 Lutcher High class “A” baseball state champions. For 10 years, Curtis was a member of the Lutcher Cardinals semi-pro baseball team.

He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Occupation Medal in Germany. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, the Knights of Columbus council No. 1817 and a member of the Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree.

Because of his love for his community and sports, he was one of the early organizers for the little league baseball and football programs in the Lutcher area. For 30 years, Curtis was a Lutcher High School Quarterback Club member. He was the originator and leader of the Cadillac Ball for Lutcher High School Athletics in the late ‘70s and a charter member to the Lutcher High Dugout Club.

Curtis also loved the game of golf and was a member of Riverlands Country Club, where he is remembered for having a “double” on hole number three.

Curtis enjoyed serving his Lord and his community. He was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society for more than 25 years, served as Eucharistic Minister for St. Joseph Church and was a perpetual adorer for the Adoration Chapel in Lutcher.

For 34 years, Curtis was an employee of Shell Chemical in Norco. After his retirement, he continued to be actively involved with the Lutcher High School booster clubs and support all sports programs for the LHS Bulldogs. He was known for the creation of the original model bonfires representing the St. James Parish Christmas Eve tradition.

Survivors include his devoted wife of 56 years, Barbara Matherne Caldarera; sons Curtis Caldarera Jr. (Kim) and Chris Caldarera (Dana); daughters Vanessa Roussel (Ronald “Toodie”), Greta Nassar (George) and Mary Beth Merrill (Carter); brothers John Caldarera Jr. (Rosemary) and Glenn Caldarera (Linda); sisters, Joyce Bourgeois (Edmond) and Letitia “Letty” Richard (Dwain); 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John Caldarera Sr. and Letitia Schexnayder Caldarera; siblings Joseph “Buster” Caldarera (Virginia), Louis Caldarera Sr. (Laurence), Noella C. Frazier (Warren Sr.) and Myrtis Caldarera.

Caldarera was man who lived by faith and loved people, his community and sports, but most of all, loved his family. His life will forever be in the hearts of many.

Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Paulina on Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Mausoleum in Paulina.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society, P.O. Box 504 in Lutcher. Rose Lynn Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements. To sign and view the family guestbook, please visit www.roselynnfuneralhome.com.