Samuel James Calavitta
June 04, 1942 - February 19, 2021
Capistrano Beach California
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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 day‘s homework assignment which remained words to live by for many of Mr. Cal‘s 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 don‘t
If you like to win, but think you can‘t
It‘s almost a cinch you won‘t
If you think you‘ll lose, you‘re lost
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow‘s will
It‘s all in a state of mind
If you think you‘re out classed – you are
You‘ve got to think high to rise
You‘ve got to be sure of yourself
Before you can win a prize
Life‘s battles don‘t 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 Parkinson‘s, 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 Sam‘s name to the St. Jude Children‘s 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
85 responses to Samuel James Calavitta
Laurie Bell says:
March 18, 2021
Laurie Bell says:
March 18, 2021
Mr.Cal was the best teacher I ever had. He will not be forgotten. RIP
Robby Guynn says:
March 18, 2021
To say that Mr. Cal was only my teacher would be an understatement. Mr. Cal was a mentor, a coach, a leader, and a roll model. Mr. Cal changed the trajectory of my life. My memories of Mr. Cal and the influence he had on my life still impact me to this day. In having become a teacher now myself, the influence he had on my life impacts the morals and values that I hope to pass on to my students. I pray that I can impact lives just as Sam Calavitta impacted my life.
Frank and Blossom Tavares says:
March 19, 2021
Frank Tavares says:
March 19, 2021
I could take up this whole guestbook talking about how amazing of a teacher and man Mr. Cal was. He did not only teach his students about the subects in school, but he was a master at teaching his students the subject of life and how to deal with challenges you will face! I feel priviledged not to only have Mr. Cal as my 6th grade teacher, but also as a family friend. I know my family valued his friendship, as we still talk about all the wonderful times we spent withi him and his family! From my sister’s on going joke about her calling his shoes ugly and him coming back at her the same. LOL! To me bringing my newly wed wife to meet him at his home in Victorville, and we sit there for hours listening to him tell stories! Mr. Calavitta, I hope you knew what a legacy you left and how many people’s lives you changed! You will be deeply missed! Until we meet again in heaven! Rest in Peace! Love Frank and the rest of the Tavares family!!