WAKEFIELD, Mich. – Joseph C. Calabro, 87, a longtime resident of Wakefield, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, in Wakefield.

He was born on Nov. 25, 1924, in Bessemer, the son of Charles and Nellie (Caspanello) Calabro. Joe graduated from A.D. Johnston High School in Bessemer in 1942.

He entered into the U.S. Army in 1943, served in Company B, 329th Infantry in the European Theater of Operations, and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant in 1945.

Joe returned to the area and attended Gogebic Community College in Ironwood for two years. He transferred to Michigan Technological University in Houghton and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in forestry in 1951.

Joe was employed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for nine years. He then changed his career path to ski industry. In 1972, Joe started the Ski Area Management program at Gogebic Community College. He was the instructor/director for 15 years, and retired in 1987.

Joe was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wakefield, Bessemer American Legion Post 27, Wakefield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084, National Ski Patrol, Professional Ski Patrol Association, Friends of the Porkies and Society of American Foresters.

He was on the board of Gogebic Community College for 12 years, in a barbershop choir, a past Rotarian and a private pilot.

On July 28, 1973, Joe was married to the former Mayme G. (Ferratto) Jarvi at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church by the late Rev. Joseph A. Kichak.

He is survived by his wife, Mayme; her daughter, Mary Kaye (Douglas) Martzke, Green Bay, Wis.; two grandchildren, Erica (Jonathan) Novak, De Pere, Wis., and Brandon (Lindsey Lewis) Martzke, Green Bay; a great-grandson, Carter Novak; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; a brother and sister-in-law, Marcel and Patricia Calabro; and three sisters and a brother-in-law, Joan Josephine Calabro, at birth, Clara Benny and Angeline and Phil Nelson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with the Revs. Joy J. Adimakkeel and Louis P. Bracket con-celebrants.

Friends may call at the church from 10 a.m. Saturday until the time of the Mass, with the honor guard beginning at 10:15 a.m.

Following the Mass, full military honors will be accorded by the combined American Legion Post 27, VFW Post 9084, American Legion Post 11 and VFW Post 3673 Honor Guard.

Luncheon will be served in the parish hall immediately following the military rites.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider the Friends of the Porkies, P.O. Box 221, Ontonagon MI 49953.

The Lakeside Memorial Chapel of Wakefield is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent on-line at www.lakesidememorialchapel.com.