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James Calvetti Obituary


Calvetti, James C. 89, died peacefully at home after a short illness on December 15, 2006. Survivors include his beloved wife, Veronica (nee McDonnell), sons Jamie (Susan) and Bruce (Jeri), daughter Margo (Tim Frost), grandchildren James C. and Joseph D. Calvetti, Mariel Veronica and Tyler M. Frost. Jim Calvetti helped define and develop sales and procedures in the airline food service business as well as the portion cut beef processing industry worldwide. Born in Pekin, Illinois, April 3rd, 1917. Jim started his working life as an usher in 1932 at the Palace Theater in downtown Chicago, earning $10.50 a week. His meat career began in 1936, working as a messenger boy in the Union Stockyards for Augustus Swift. Jim joined the Army in 1943 and landed in Brisbane, Australia. He fought in New Guinea and the Philippines with the ship and gun crew. He married his wife, Veronica, a Brisbane native and Red Cross Nurse in 1944 in Australia after a brief courtship. In 1946, Jim went back to work in the meat business, during a time when meat was rationed, but successfully sold other products, like cheese, during this period. He began selling to the airline industry in 1949 at Midway Airport and soon was selling portion cut beef nationwide for airline food service. Jim started his own business in 1974 with his two sons, Jamie and Bruce, and later daughter, Margo joined him. The family business quickly expanded and in 1981 he returned to the area where he started in 1936, the Union Stockyards, and built a new 20,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art meat processing facility. While in his 80's he continued to stay active in the business, guiding the transition to the second generation. Visitation Tuesday, 3 to 5 p.m., at N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home, 1240 Waukegan Road, Glenview, where a memorial service will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Funeral info 847-998-1020.

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Published by Chicago Sun-Times from Dec. 17 to Dec. 19, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
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Nathan Batt

February 18, 2007

My Dad (Nathan Batt) was so sorry to hear about Jim's passing. He had been trying to call him and there was no answer, then called the office last Friday and heard the sad news. My Dad said he was a great guy. He will miss his phone calls but has many great memories. He thought of him often and had a lot of respect for Jim. They went back many years. If I remember correctly they went to grade school together.
From all the Batt family to all the Calvetti's we express our great sadness at your great loss.

Ray Quinn

January 1, 2007

Please accept our deepest sympathy.
My Dad, Harry Quinn, who was your Dad's cousin, many times talked about their visits and how they enjoyed having a drink or two and telling stories. He will be missed.

Bill Albers

December 21, 2006

I was out of town. Your dad was a great man!! I will miss all the stories.

Michael Nuesse

December 20, 2006

Jamie, Bruce, Margo and family,
Sorry to hear of your dad's passing. He was a strong and dynamic individual. I have fond memories of Mr. Calvetti at your home proudly showing me some Calvetti meats in the freezer. And of course, at the plant, Mr. Calvetti was in charge.
My thoughts are with you.

mimi Sarwark

December 19, 2006

To my old next door neighbors,
Due to illness, I regretfully missed your dad's wake. I just want you all to know how loving and kind your parents were when we moved to Glenview almost 20 yeasrs ago. Like family my children were loved and coddled by Jim and "Harmonica." We will always keep him in our memories and smile just a bit when remembering. The Sarwarks

December 19, 2006

Your entire family is in our thoughts and prayers
with sympathy,
Joe Egan and Family

Glenn & Linda Budvitis

December 19, 2006

Please accept our deepest sympathies.

December 19, 2006

Our deepest sympathy to the entire Calvetti family.
Terri(Schroeder)& Blair Winandy

Dave Sowa and family

December 18, 2006

James Calvetti was a man who had an influence on many people's lives including my own. He will be deeply missed. Our condolences to the whole Calvetti family.

Steve & Rosalyn Wilhelm

December 18, 2006

Hello Margo and Tim,
Margo, we are so sorry to hear of your dad's passing. Losing a parent is tough, but surely around Christmas makes it even more difficult. While we never knew your dad, it looks like he was a truly wonderful father, husband and grand-dad, and Tim has spoken very highly of him as recently as our last visit to Snowmass. Ros and I have prayed, and will continue praying for your peace, comfort, and ultimately for your joy in these times of difficulty. While he will be missed deeply, rejoice in your fond life-long memories of him; they will put a smile on your face!
Our deepest sympathy to you, Tim, and the rest of the Calvetti family.

DIXIE LEE KALLENBORN

December 18, 2006

TO THE FAMILY OF JAMES C. CALVETTI

OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY

DIXIE LEE KALLENBORN & FAMILY

Ted Raab

December 18, 2006

Mr. Calvetti was a kind and generous man who never forgot the men and women who worked for the City of Chicago. He always remebered his roots and was there for them. Thank God, he instilled this spirit in his sons, Bruce and Jamie. He will be truly missed by those fortuned to have know him.

Ted Raab

December 18, 2006

Mr. Calvetti was a kind and generous man who never forgot the men and women who worked for the City of Chicago. He always rememberd his roots and was there for them. Thank God, he instilled this spirit in his sons, Jamie and Bruce. He will truly be missed by those fortuned to have known him.

Bobby Hatoff (Allen Brothers)

December 18, 2006

Deepest sympathies from Bobby and Todd Hatoff and the entire staff at Allen Brothers.

Matt Pollack

December 18, 2006

Dear jamie and Bruce,
My condolences on the passing of your Dad. He was a wonderful man who brought a lot of laughter into my families life.Stock Yards Packing will miss him.
The Pollack families thoughts are with your family.

Mary Jung

December 17, 2006

Margo, Tim, Mariel and Tyler
We are thinking of you and keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Mary, Jake, Claire and Julie

Gregg Slutsky

December 17, 2006

God Bless his soul, he was an icon to many.My family and myself will miss very badly, he was ALWAYS SO generous to us. My thoughts and prayers go out to Bruce and his family, Margo and her family, and Jaime and his family.
Gregg S Slutsky,Aronn, and Sydnei

Mary and Gary Curtis

December 17, 2006

Our sincere condolences to the Calvetti Family on your loss. Though we didn't know James, we were linked to your family through marriage (Jim and Erin Burnham) and friendship (Tim Frost). We know it's hard to lose a parent so close to the holidays. Please accept our deepest sympathies. from Gary and Mary (Burnham) Curtis

Frank mcGuinn

December 17, 2006

Master Calvetti was an extremely confident and kind man.He loved his wife and family very much.He also liked his dog cuddley dudley so much that he would take it for bike rides.

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