PFC Bernard J. Calvi, 23
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Private First Class Bernard Joseph Calvi, of the Army Air Forces, died on July 16, 1942, at the Cabanatuan Prisoner of War Camp in the Philippines, where he was interned as a prisoner of war by Japanese forces during World War II.
He was born in North Adams on March 3, 1919, son of the late Joseph and Lena (Cantone) Calvi, he attended North Adams schools and graduated from Drury High School with the Class of 1936. While at Drury, he was a standout member of the baseball and football teams.
Pfc. Calvi entered the Army on Sept. 12, 1940, and was serving with the 17th Pursuit Squadron, 24th Pursuit Group of the Army Air Forces in the Philippines when the United States entered World War II. During the Battle for the Philippines, he was wounded at least once but returned to full duty as an infantryman as no airplanes were left operational. When Bataan fell to Japanese forces in 1942, he was taken prisoner and forced to take part in the infamous 65-mile Bataan Death March into captivity. After four months of captivity in deplorable conditions, he succumbed to starvation, malaria, and loss of hope. Following the efforts of his family and the Army over many decades, and with advances in identification technology, PFC. Calvi is finally returning home, 82 years after his death.
He is survived by his nephew, Bruce P. Calvi and his wife, Joan (Tietgens) Calvi, of Clarksburg; a cousin, Sylvia Keehnle, of Pittsfield; great nieces and nephews, including Springfield Fire Commissioner Bernard J. Calvi and his wife, Carrie, of Springfield, Jennifer Belisle and her husband, Bruce, of Stamford, Vt., and Jeffrey Calvi and his spouse, Chris Schaper, of Bridgeport, Conn.; and great-grandnephew and -nieces Elijah Calvi, Lucia Calvi, Ashlyn Belisle and Camryn Belisle.
He was predeceased by brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond and Pauline Calvi, attorney Julius Calvi and his wife, Mary Ann, and Joseph Calvi, who died in infancy.
FUNERAL NOTICE: A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 10, at noon in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 70 Marshall St., North Adams. Burial with full military honors will follow in the family lot in Southview Cemetery, North Adams. A calling hour will be held at the church on Tuesday from 10:30 until 11:30 a.m., directly before the Mass.
The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, Adams, is assisting with arrangements. To leave a message for the Calvi family, please go to www.paciorekfuneral.com.
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