Richard Thomas Calvin, Sr.

Richard Thomas “Dick” Calvin, Sr, passed away on August 3, 2023, at his home in Sebring, Florida, at the age of 94.

Dick was born on December 26, 1928, in Wyandotte, Michigan, to Joseph Earl and Dorothy Helen (Clark) Calvin. He was the second of seven children and the eldest son.

He is survived by his loving children: Kim (Michael) Piesik of Sebring FL; Cherie (James) Cox of Atlanta GA; Richard (Sharon) Calvin, Jr, of Rogers AR; David Curtis (husband of the late Amy) of Glenview, IL; Gary Calvin of Wyandotte MI; Christopher Calvin (Julie Bourassa) of Wyandotte MI; Brian (Belinda) Calvin of Purcell OK; James Calvin of Jacksonville FL; John (Nicole) Calvin of West Bloomfield MI; David Calvin of Lincoln Park MI; Richard (Kathy) Gingras of St. Albans VT; Michael (Kathy) Gingras of Loudonville NY; and Lisa (Mark) Wood of Essex Junction VT;  many grandchildren, great and great-great grandchildren; his brothers, Charles (Rae Jean) Calvin and Joseph Calvin Jr; many nieces and nephews; former wife, Barbara Welsch; and dear friends, Michael O’Brien and Karen Northrop.

Predeceased by his beloved wife, Helen Gingras-Calvin; daughters, Amy Curtis and Mary Calvin; grandson, Todd Calvin; brother, Clark Calvin; sisters, Margaret Caruso, Dorothy Schnaidt; and Anabeth Beach; and parents, Joseph Calvin, Sr, and Dorothy Calvin.

Dick left Lincoln Park (MI) High School in 1945 and convinced his parents to let him enlist in the Army, which he did on January 29, 1946, just one month after his 17th birthday.  As promised, he took and passed the G.E.D. test in November of 1946, earning his high school diploma before his 18th birthday and ahead of the rest of his senior class.

He was assigned to the Army Air Forces and served in several clerical positions at Clark Air Base in the Philippines until he was seriously injured by a 25 lb. anti-personnel fragmentation bomb in March of 1947.  The accidental explosion caused him to lose a portion of his right leg and spend several months in traction in military hospitals in the Philippines and the US.  In September of 1947, the Air Force was established, making him one of the first to serve in that branch of the United States Military, prior to his honorable discharge in 1948.

In 1954 he married Barbara Duperron and for the next 40 years they raised 10 children together in Wyandotte, Michigan. He supported his family by working in sales and management positions in the direct mail advertising business. He was also active in his church as a member of the Choir and Usher Club. He served in multiple positions, including charter member and president, of the Sunrise Kiwanis Club. He also spent many years as an educator and camp counselor for his sons’ Boy Scout Troup. Six of his boys achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during that time, becoming the first family in Michigan to hold that distinction.

After his retirement and divorce, Dick packed his golf clubs and started spending his winters in Sebring, Florida, at Highland Wheel Estates. There he met Helen Gingras at a Valentine’s Day Dance in 1998 and they were married the following year.  The couple spent more than 20 years enjoying their winters in Florida and summers in Helen’s hometown of St. Albans, Vermont, until her death in 2020.  In Vermont he was a member of the Champlain Country Club and played more than 50 games the summer he was 91 years old.

Dick then moved to Sebring Village with his daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Mike Piesik, after Helen’s death in 2020.  He enjoyed the next 3 years taking part in daily social activities at the clubhouse and travelling at every opportunity.

He was a member of St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Sebring and attended Mass there for more than 28 years. He also volunteered as a docent at the Sebring Historical Society’s Weigle House this past year; and participated in many spaghetti dinners and bus trips with the friends he made in the society.

Visitation will be Sunday, August 6, from 2-5 pm, at Stephenson Nelson Funeral Home, 4001 Sebring Parkway, Sebring FL. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 7, at 1:00 p.m. at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 820 Hickory Street, Sebring FL. Military honors by the Sebring VFW Honor Guard will immediately follow Mass.

On September 18, 2023, a Memorial Mass will be held at St Vincent Pallotti Church in Wyandotte MI, followed by interment of ashes at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly MI.

Arrangements entrusted to:
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home
4001 Sebring Parkway
Sebring, FL 33870
Online condolences may be left at:
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com