Samuel James Calavitta

Samuel James Calavitta

June 04, 1942 - February 19, 2021
Capistrano Beach California

Samuel James Calavitta

June 04, 1942 - February 19, 2021
Capistrano Beach California

Obituary

Samuel J. Calavitta
06/04/1942 – 02/19/2021

Sam is survived by his wife of 58 years, Diane, 3 sons – Sam Jr., Joseph, and David Calavitta, and 11 grandchildren, his sister Lois and brother-in-law Tom Dadian, Sister-in-law Joan Hoff, along with many nieces and nephews.

Sam began his teaching career in El Segundo, CA where he taught elementary school for 9 years. After moving to Victorville, CA in 1979, Sam continued his teaching career at Victor Elementary School District for the next 30 years. He spent most of his teaching career at Parkview and Village Elementary Schools where he introduced District wide events such as the Junior Olympics and the Math Competition – which was eventually named after him. Students and co-workers knew him as Mr. Cal.“ Mr. Cal, along with his wife Diane, spent several years teaching for Azusa Pacific working with prospective teachers in Reading, Writing, and Classroom Management.

Mr. Cal truly loved teaching and every student was special. His YOU CAN“theme was the message he resonated and hoped to pass on to each and every student.  The poem by Walter D. Wintle was always the first days homework assignment which remained words to live by for many of Mr. Cals students as they graduated and entered junior high and high school. The poem is as follows:

     If you think you are beaten – you are
     If you think you dare not – you dont
     If you like to win, but think you cant
     Its almost a cinch you wont

     If you think youll lose, youre lost
     For out in the world we find
     Success begins with a fellows will
     Its all in a state of mind

     If you think youre out classed – you are
     Youve got to think high to rise
     Youve got to be sure of yourself
     Before you can win a prize

     Lifes battles dont always go
     To the stronger or faster man
     But sooner or later the man who wins
     Is the man who thinks he can.

Ultimately, in the later years of his life, Sam found great solace in the mercy and love of Christ. It was this grace that encouraged him in his daily battle with Parkinsons, and, in his last days, filled him with the hope of eternity.

We confidently trust the soul of Sam Calavitta to the boundless mercy of his Father. Please pray for the repose of Sam Calavitta, the comfort of his family, and the continued inspiration for all those whose life he has affected.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to send condolences, the family welcomes a donation in Sams name to the St. Jude Childrens Hospital (http://www.stjude.org). Thank you.

The funeral Mass on Friday, March 19 at 10:30am at San Francisco Solano Catholic Church may be viewed on live stream at https://youtu.be/sIhzddMKTnA

 

Vigil Service

  • Date & Time: March 19, 2021 (10:00 AM)
  • Venue: San Francisco Solano Catholic Church
  • Location: 22082 Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 589-7767

Funeral Mass

  • Date & Time: March 19, 2021 (10:30 AM)
  • Venue: San Francisco Solano Catholic Church
  • Location: 22082 Antonio Parkway Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (949) 589-7767

Graveside Service

  • Date & Time: March 23, 2021 (10:15 AM)
  • Venue: Riverside National Cemetery
  • Location: 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518 - (Get Directions)
  • Phone Number: (951) 653-8417

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85 responses to Samuel James Calavitta

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  1. Mr. Cal was my 6th grade teacher at Park View 36 years ago. He was an incredible teacher, mentor, and inspired so many. I have great memories of that year, including square dancing on Fridays, fun math games, the Junior Olympics, and our field trip to Olvera Street and La Brea Tar Pits. He was funny, caring, a great listener, and dedicated to teaching every single kid in his classroom. I’m grateful I got to see him a few years ago at Molly Brown’s Cafe. To Mrs. Cal, the Calavitta family, and Joan, my deepest condolences. Mr. Cal loved you all so much.

  2. Mr Cal was my professor at APU. He was such a dope individual… HIM AND HIS FRUTIES! Œ
    Mrs Cal was my RICA professor and such a sweetly pie!

    Much love!

    “LeadByExample”

  3. Mr. Cal was a wonderful teacher and influence in my life as a student in 5th and 6th grade at Village Elementary. He helped instill a confidence in myself that I still carry to this day. I always admired his positivity, humor, and self-discipline. He entertained us on the playground by grabbing a tetherball poll and holding himself completely horizontal in mid-air! Math team and square dancing were such a fun thing for me to look forward to when I normally dreaded going to school. He truly was one-of-a-kind in so many ways. My condolences to the Calavitta family.

  4. Jason Smith says:

    You will be missed old friend, you were one of those one of a kind teachers, the kind that taught priceless values to a nobody like me, I am forever grateful for that

  5. I will never forget your kindness, your endless compassion for students and their families, and the inspiration day in and day out. I wear the teacher badge because of your example that you set in the two years I had you. “For out in the world, we find – success begins with a fellow’s will – it’s all in the state of mind.” Thank you again for being a light in this world, for being an example of a Christ follower, and treating others the way you wanted to be treated. Revelation 21:4

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