Obituary of Claire Califre

Claire (Gizzi) Califre, age 105, passed away on Monday, May 20, 2019. While born in Paterson, NJ, she lived with her parents Louis and Mary (Ramunno) Gizzi and her family in their native Italy for many years as a child. As a young woman, she worked in the silk mills of Paterson, where she met her future husband, Peter. After his return from WW II, they started a family. She later went on to work at Superior Electronics in Clifton, where she was active in the manufacture of cathode ray tubes and electron guns and where she spent the bulk of her working life. Mrs. Califre was a devoted mother, grandmother and aunt who was known for her sweet, loving personality and acts of kindness. She loved clothes and took pride in her appearance. Claire enjoyed baking, painting, drawing, word puzzles and had a love of all animals, and birds in particular, including countless pet parakeets almost all of whom were named Ricky. She was a former parishioner of Our Lady of Pompei Church in Paterson. Mrs. Califre is survived by her cherished family including a son, Ronald Califre and his wife, Marcy; her daughter-in-law, Irene Califre; her grandchildren, Frank Califre, Evan Califre, and Gabrielle Califre, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her loving husband Peter Califre, a son, Frank Califre, her two brothers, Joseph and Nicholas Gizzi, and her sister, Rose Chirichella. Friends are welcome to attend the visiting hours on Wednesday, May 22, 2019 from 4-8 p.m. and the funeral on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa. Memorial donations in Mrs. Califre's name may be made to Laurelwood Arboretum, 725 Pines Lake Drive West, Wayne, NJ 07470, www.laurelwoodarboretum.org