Dominick Pio Calabrese

Dominick Pio Calabrese, 94, of Tinton Falls, passed away on Saturday May 17, 2025. Dominick was born in Bronx, NY and spent the bulk of his formative years in Long Branch, NJ. He was the youngest of four children, born to Dominick and Theresa Calabrese. On February 12, 1951, at the age of 20, Dom left college in his junior year, where he was majoring in Spanish, to enlist and serve with the United States Army, during the Korean War. After completing his basic training, he was assigned to the Army Language School in Monterey, CA, where he graduated in 1952 with a diploma in Russian Language. He then served with distinction, as part of the Army Signal Corp, stationed in West Germany. Upon his discharge, he continued his studies at Montclair State Teachers College (now Montclair University), and graduated with a B.A. in Elementary Education, with a minor in Spanish and Music. He began his career in 1955, where he taught Spanish and English at the Toms River NJ public school system and spent his summers, lifeguarding. From 1958-1966, he taught Russian and Spanish at the Pascack Valley Valley Regional High School in NJ. During that period, he developed a state approved curriculum for teaching a 4-year Russian Language Program in public schools — the first of its kind. While working as a teacher, Dominick continued his education in the Masters program at Middlebury College, VT, graduating in 1961 with a M.A. in Russian, Soviet Area Studies, Spanish and Music. Residing in Vermont, he also worked as a tennis instructor. While in the Army, Dominick met his future bride, Jean. His bunk mate and close friend, Garrett Collins, would reluctantly introduce him to his sister — who just happened to live only a few miles away, in a neighboring shore town. In 1952, they married while Dominick was stationed in Monterrey, CA at the Army Language School. When he returned from his Army service, Dom and Jean started their family in 1956, resulting in four children, thru 1966. In 1966, the family moved from Woodcliff Lake, NJ to Tinton Falls, NJ where Dominick took a teaching position and later rose to Supervisor of the Foreign Language Department at Monmouth Regional High School, teaching both Russian and Spanish. His teaching style was innovative. He was very interactive, animated and used storytelling, as a method to engage and enthuse his students. Not surprisingly, he also acted in some of the school’s plays and was a drama club favorite. In the late 1960’s, Dominick took an additional position of Lector at Monmouth University, where he helped mold future language teachers, over the course of two decades. Dom also worked for the NJ Department of Education, leading workshops in Methods and Techniques, in teaching foreign languages and use of Language Laboratories. Also during this period, he served as a Chairman of the Russian Reading Comprehension Committee, developing the M.L.A F.L. cooperative exams; developing and evaluating Russian listening comprehension tests for the College Entrance Examination Board. Dominick retired from teaching in 1990 and enjoyed an active retirement — becoming a fixture at the Red Bank YMCA, running marathons in NYC, swimming competitively in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Long Branch, NJ, (where enjoyed swimming as a child) — amongst many of his activities. In addition to being a parishioner, he devoted himself to serving as a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and taught Sunday School at Saint Dorothea’s RC Church. Dominick had the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on his community during his many years of service — both secular and religious. In his professional life, he accomplished his goals and was content with his achievements. He loved the outdoor lifestyle and could not wait for the summer months. Whether it was going to the beach or working outside. At home, Dom enjoyed taking care of the gardens, grounds and his wife’s last creation of a Coi pond. He was often seen maintaining the property, mowing the grass, pruning trees and shrubs — all while making time for his daily commute to the “Y”— well into his late 80’s. Dominick was predeceased by his beloved wife Jean Calabrese (nee Collins), his parents Dominick and Theresa Calabrese (nee Ciancone), and his siblings Vincent, Lucy and Gigi (Louis). He is survived by his children Gregory and his wife Nancy, Michael, David, and Laurie and her husband Murphy; his grandchildren Rachel and Brian; his niece, Joann, her husband Todd and their son Nick. Dominick’s visitation will be held from 6-8 PM on Thursday May 22, 2025 at Bongarzone Funeral Home, Tinton Falls, NJ. Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 AM on Friday May 23, 2025 at St. Dorothea’s RC Church, Eatontown, NJ. Military honors and committal prayers will follow at Fair View Cemetery, Middletown, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory, to the charity of your choice.

Dominick Pio Calabrese

July 11, 1930 - May 17, 2025