William Michael Calpino Sr.

William “Bill” Calpino, after a brief illness, passed on September second at eighty one years of age. He is survived by Mary his wife of sixty-one years, his son W. Michael Calpino, Jr. and his wife Kelly, his daughter Kristin Trapani and her husband Tony and three grandchildren, Rachael Calpino, Will Calpino III and his wife Ashley, Rebekkah Dering and her husband Martin as well as his beloved four legged companion Sadie Sue.

Bill was born in Reading Pennsylvania to Frank and Mildred Calpino on October 27, 1944. He graduated from Mount Penn High School where he participated in gymnastics and various hi-jinks with his best friend Dudley. After graduating in 1962 he served as a radio operator in the army reserves. In 1965 he started work at the Davis House restaurant where he learned the food service industry and after ten years took the entrepreneurial risk and opened his first restaurant, the Hillcrest in 1975 and then The Galley two years later which he operated successfully until his retirement in 2001. He also taught himself contracting skills, investing in and renovating several apartment buildings.

During that time he raised a family and traveled extensively in various RVs, eventually visiting every state except Hawaii which he would have visited had they “built a bridge.” He was dedicated to his children, attending every sporting event and activity, immersing them in history through travel and teaching them practical skills and imprinting his work ethic, for which they are forever grateful. That family dedication extended to his grandchildren whom he spoiled with more trips, activities and affection. He loved Civil War history and watching reenactments, he was an award winning amateur photographer, enjoyed bird watching, and his love of the outdoors was also expressed in hiking and backpacking. He was a skilled woodworker and also enjoyed model trains and planes. He played and coached softball for decades taking several teams to tournament wins and championships.

Soon after retirement he and Mary moved to North Port Florida where he had time to immerse himself in new activities. He became an avid fisherman and after founding the Englewood Pickleball Club became a champion pickleball player. He enjoyed kayaking, bike riding and relaxing at the beach. They continued to travel in their RV all over the country and they also volunteered at various state parks. At home his days were filled with card games, dominoes, listening to talk radio and watching the news. And every day he would relax on his park bench in the yard with Sadie by his side.

Bill had a great sense of humor and even in the hospital he made everyone laugh. His storytelling was legendary among those who knew him. His active lifestyle was reflected in some of his favorite sayings like “the day's half shot!” usually spoken an hour after dawn, and “on your feet and out in the heat,” and finally, an odd one for someone so giving, “It's all about Billy.” While not an overtly religious person, in word and action he was a godly man and reflected the best biblical values. He affirmed his commitment to Jesus with his daughter Kristin on August 19, 2026.

Finally, it is the love story between Bill and Mary that really defined his life and is the greatest legacy he has given his family. Their marriage was the best example of a shared life whether it was enjoying the countless experiences of an exciting life of travel or the quiet moments simply content in each other's presence. He never failed to tell her he loved her or how beautiful she was several times every day of their sixty one years together. His only regret before he passed was that he did not have a little more time to spend with her. Bill's life was a wonderful example of a life lived to the fullest replete with adventure, achievement, wisdom and experiences he shared liberally with his his family and most intensely with his beloved Mary.

A celebration of Bill's wonderful life will be held on October 4 from 1-3 PM at the Lakeside Plantation Community Center; 2200 Plantation Blvd., North Port FL. Dress is business casual with island prints.