Albert Paul Calli, 82, of Tequesta, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home on October 5, 2010 with family by his side. He was pre-deceased by his wife Bobette Kolisch Calli, with whom he shared a love affair that shined for 30 years, and who passed away 1 month earlier.
Albert lived deeply and lovingly and left the world better by far than he found it.
Mr. Calli was born on January 7, 1928 in Akron, Ohio, the first of three children of Al and Mary Calli. Mr. Calli, whose father worked 50 years at the Goodrich rubber factory in Akron, served 2 years in the United States Army and on the GI Bill attended George Williams College in Chicago, Illinois, where in 1950 while living on the South Side, he earned his bachelors degree.
Mr. Calli devoted his career to the advancement of the quality of life and increased opportunities for disabled children and adults and worked tirelessly to break barriers that prevented the disabled from maximizing their independence. A zealous advocate, Mr. Calli served as Executive Director of the Easter Seal Society and of other organizations that promoted legislative and social reforms to benefit people with disabilities.
In 1953 Calli began his association with the Eastern Seal Society by taking a position with the organization in its Des Plaines, Illinois center. In 1955 he accepted an offer to run the Easter Seals Rehabilitation Facility in Indianapolis.
In 1960, Calli agreed to shepherd the Easter Seal Rehabilitation facility in Denver, Colorado. He developed and directed the Easter Seal Handi-Camp, a residential summer camp in the mountains of Colorado for disabled youth and young adults, where campers enjoyed every experience their peers without disabilities enjoyed. Mr. Calli moved his family to the summer camp every year to serve as counselors. As a result, his children learned tolerance and acceptance early on, and their father's commitment to the advancement of rights and opportunities for those less fortunate influenced their professional and personal lives.
From 1965 to 1973 Calli served as Executive Director of the Easter Seal Society in New Haven, CT. He directed a capital campaign that resulted in construction of a state of the art Rehabilitation Center which set the bar nationally. As the New Haven Register Editorial Board observed on June 30, 1973 "Calli uncovers programs with new potential, goes after funds, personnel, equipment and methods that open up new worlds for the handicapped. He has mounted a far reaching inner-city program, and has come to the aid of students who have not achieved their highest potential because of a learning problem. The impact of Calli's humanitarian work has had widespread influence far beyond the New Haven area."
During this time, Calli developed his mutual respect for US Congressman Robert N. Giamo. On July 10, 1973, Mr. Giamo recognized Calli in the congressional record of the 93rd congress, first session, and observed that Calli had been elected President of the International Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, adding before the House of Representatives "I would like to extend my personal salute to Albert P. Calli, an innovative, persistent, and successful leader in programs for the handicapped."
In 1973 then-Governor Jimmy Carter tapped Calli to serve as Executive Director of the Warm Springs Foundation, where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt discovered the benefits the "warm spring" baths had on his polio and where he established the President's "Little White House." Calli resurrected the faltering Foundation into the historic and working physical therapy center it remains today.
On Labor Day 1976, on the steps of the Warm Springs Foundation with Executive Director Calli in the wings, Governor Carter kicked off his successful National Presidential Campaign for the 39th Presidency of the United States. In subsequent trips to the White House around budget season, Calli was fond of reminding President Carter where the President had spent Labor Day 1976.
From 1976 to 1978 Calli served as Executive Director of the Rehabilitation Center at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital Sister Kenny Institute in Minneapolis.
Calli returned to his roots in 1979 to lead the Easter Seal Society of South Florida as Executive Director. There he met Bobette Kolisch who was President of the Easter Seal Gilded Lilies, an organization devoted to assisting disabled children. Calli retired in 1991.
Calli's commitment to Community Service followed him into retirement where he served as Director of the Flat Rock, NC volunteer Mounted Police Patrol.
Al and Bobette Calli were adventurous travelers. Together they enjoyed Sicily, China, Japan, Russia, Scotland, Ireland, Africa, and much of South America and the Caribbean. They loved exploring the United States and particularly enjoyed Alaska, California, Puerto Rico and North Carolina where, for many years, Flat Rock was their home. Together they sailed on over 20 cruises and relished memories of their time on the Royal Caribbean Line with their closest friends.
Mr. Calli was an avid horseman, boat-captain and golfer. He was a member of Tequesta Country Club, La Gorce Country Club, the Ocean Reef Yacht and Country Club, and Coral Reef Yacht Club.
Mr. Calli is survived by: his 6 children - Rory Manaro (James) of North Carolina; Albert Calli of Colorado; Lisa Dannheim (Gunther) of Branford, CT; Charles Calli (Keita) of Portland, ME; Felicia Hiscock Rick) of Toronto, Canada; and Paul Calli (Liangy) of Miami, Florida; his brother Clarence Calli of Nevada and his sister Constance of Ohio; 2 step children, 21 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren.
A private Memorial Service with his children and grandchildren will be held.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in honor of Albert P. Calli be directed to the National Easter Seal Society, Attn: Online Giving Coordinator, 233 South Wacker Drive Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60606; or Hospice Foundation, c/o Treasure Coast Hospice, 1201 SE Indian Street, Stuart, FL 34997.
