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Andrew Calabrese, affectionately know as “Andy Cal,” died peacefully on June 1 in Yale New Haven Hospital surrounded by his children. He was the husband of the late Ruth Swinyer Calabrese. Andy was born in New Haven on Sept. 9, 1928 to the late Catello and Maria DiLieto Calabrese.

He was a supervisor at the International Instrument Corp. for 35 years prior to retiring. Andy was the founder and lead singer of the Tophatters. His band played locally at weddings, festivals, anniversaries, and numerous other parties for more than 55 years. He later formed The Misfits, which was a musical group that entertained at senior centers and elderly communities bringing smiles to so many people for more than 10 years. On Oct. 20, 2001, Andy was named Entertainer of the Year by the St. Bernadette Music Hall of Fame.

He was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus Commodore John Barry Assembly and Fr. Regan Council 3300 as well as a member of the St. Andrew the Apostle Society and a past member of the Annex Club. Throughout his career Andy was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for his service to the greater New Haven community.

Andy is the father of Andrew Calabrese Jr. (Francine), Donna Calabrese McGlynn (Dean), Maria Calabrese, and Dorothea Calabrese. He was very proud of his grandchildren Dawn Calabrese-Parton (Steve), Andrew Calabrese III (Jeanette), Frankie Calabrese (Caitlan), AJ Bilotta (Mariel), Gregory Bilotta, Breanna Iannucci (Matt), Trevor McGlynn, Ricardo Colon (Sandra), Christopher Colon (Andrea), Rosabianca Corbett, and Max Corbett; and his great grandchildren Isabella Colon, Olivia Colon, Mariana Calabrese, and Eason and Elle Iannucci. He was the brother of the late Joseph Calabrese, Mary DeMatteo, Angelina Rosabianca, Anna Sagnella, Adrianna Costanzo, Connie Steele, Sue Esposito, and Peter Calabrese.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in St. Michael Church on June 4 followed by burial in All Saints Cemetery. The Iovanne Funeral Home, Inc., New Haven, was in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Andy’s family requests that contributions be made to www.gofundme.com/the-andy-cal-music-scholarship-fund, which will provide scholarship funds to a child, or hopefully many children, with a physical disability to enhance their life through the enrollment in a musical program.