Cal and I were first cousins, his father and my mother being brother and sister. I was born 5 days before Cal. He busted out of Connecticut at an early age, and the rest is history, as the expression goes. Cal is a tribute to the genius of the human spirit, which is capable of so much good in life. Rest in peace, good cousin Cal.
Sunday, May 5, 2019

Very sad to hear of Francis' passing. I remember our dear cousin Fran visiting us in Middlebury, CT back in the 1970s with his wonderful parents- Aunt Rose and Uncle Larry (brother to my mother Yolanda Calabrese Brooks.) What a fabulous obituary.. didn't know he had such a full life which I am totally inspired by! Rest in peace dear cousin Fran, and warm blessings to Linda, Lisa, Cheryl, David, Laurie, Sarah and Paul, and other family and friends. With Love, cousin Sarah Brooks from Portland Oregon
Thursday, May 2, 2019

I worked for Cal for 14 years at the MWAC. As a young Native American woman with a desire to go to school but with no financial support, Cal was instrumental in helping me to obtain my UNL education by allowing me to work around my school schedule. He was an advocate for higher education and went out of his way to help me and many others who wanted to attend college and work. I will be forever grateful to him for this. My condolences to his wife and family. Sail way on your spiritual journey Cal. I will miss you.
Thursday, May 2, 2019

Cal was seven years older than me, but I remember the fabulous family picnics at his parents' home. He went away to college and we lost touch. We reconnected with Cal and his wife, Linda, in 2007 when we visited another cousin in Florida. It was a fortunate meeting because Cal, like my husband, had a love and passion for sailing. Consequently, Cal and Linda came to Long Island for a weekend visit (in his airplane) and we sailed on our boat, Dark 'n Stormy III. We again met up with them in St. Maarten once in 2008 before we sailed with them on their 39' Bavaria sailboat for a week in the Leeward Islands. We had such a wonderful time and we could see that Cal was happiest while he was at the helm of his sailboat along with his "First Mate", Linda. We will miss Cal dearly, but we have great memories of our time together.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Glad we had breakfast together in San Antonio. I always enjoyed our conversations.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019

I will miss Cal, he was a pal, I was a guest on his plane several times and one flight over Sand Creek was memorable. Rich Fike, Archaeologist and Director of the Museum of the Mountain West.
Wednesday, May 1, 2019

RIP Cal. You were a great guy and I enjoyed knowing you.
Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Cal was a force of nature and will never be forgotten by his friends who were legion. He paid it forward to people he thought had promise. He gave me and a generation of students jobs, opportunities, mentorship and attitude. We have never forgotten his confidence in us. He was an original! And I loved going to Italian restaurants with him and being lectured on the food. Every meal was a lesson!
Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Linda. I am so sorry for your loss. Cal was such an important person during my graduate years, and a friend after I moved on to other work. What I will remember most is that he live life more exuberantly than anyone I have ever know. My thoughts are with you.
Monday, April 29, 2019

Cal will be missed by many. Many of us owed much to him for his leadership, innovation, and advocacy of preservation of cultural resources.
Monday, April 29, 2019