Gus Caliguire

Gus died peacefully at his home last evening, July 3rd, around 9:00 pm.

Gus always loved to celebrate 4th of July with fireworks and family. I figure Gus decided to go now so that he could show the 'heavenly hosts' just how to celebrate freedom. So when you see tonight's fireworks displays, think of Gus. He's probably setting a few off for us.

We want everyone to know how much your love, your prayers, your visits have meant to Gus and to us, his family. Please continue to be generous with your stories and anecdotes! Post them on the website, share them with everyone, or send them to us via email c/o moriordan@ignatius.edu. And please, come celebrate his life with us!

He will be waked this weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 at Fortuna's Funeral Home on Brecksville Road in Independence and his Mass will take place on Monday, July 9th at 10:00 am at St. Patrick's Church on Bridge Avenue in Cleveland.

Last Monday, June the 4th, Gus was deeply moved when his colleagues at Saint Ignatius High School named the third floor of Loyola Hall after him. It is now the Gus Caliguire Hall of History! It is a great honor and a very humbling experience for him. As one of his colleagues stated, "This just never happens to teachers."

He feels that he is very fortunate that he has been able to do what he loves doing, teaching, for the past 54 years. The dedication came as an unexpected honor and gift which he sees as more a reflection of the supportive environment, professional generosity of his colleagues, and the mission of Saint Ignatius High School than as a statement about him as a teacher. He believes teachers achieve excellence through interaction with great faculty and students as a collaborative effort and that this honor was borne of that shared accomplishment and embracing culture.

We-- Gus, his family, his friends, his students and his colleagues-- have been given a great gift over the course of the last few months. And this past week, we came to witness another piece, a great piece, of Gus' legacy. Had he not become ill in this fashion he would never have known the love he had shown others returned to him in so many beautiful expressions and demonstrations. From the staff of the Coat Check at Severance Hall who sent cards, to his friends who wrote letters, the students who offered prayers, the visits, the trips, the school Masses, and the dedication itself, "In the final analysis," as Gus said, "it's all about love. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!"

What a Wednesday! Gus went golfing yesterday in Olmsted Falls with Eddie Wiles (grandfather of Joe Thomas SIHS '07), Dick Discipio (grandfather of Ian Sauers SIHS '10), and John Jocobson, all teaching buddies from John Marshall High School. He shot a 40 for 9 holes! In Gus' words "I was stroking the ball pretty well."

April was a big month for Gus. On April 9th, his scan results showed that the cancer growth has been slowed considerably by the chemotherapy; he has gained some weight, and is already sporting a beautiful tan! Now on a slightly different drug regimen, Gus expects to grow stronger and has, therefore, been busy planning not only his summer gardens but a few trips as well, including jaunts to Chicago, New York, Baltimore and even a trip to Rome, most likely in October.

On April 26th, the Baseball Literature classes led by Mark Hodermarsky and Tom Lauer invited Gus to Jacobs Field to watch the Tribe take on the Texas Rangers. Playing for the Rangers was St. Ignatius alumnus and former student Matt Kata ’96. Before the game, Gus, his brother-in-law Kevin Stroh, and the rest of the Wildcat contingent were escorted to the Press Room for a talk with Kata and some photographs. The forecast for the day was typical for Cleveland in April – cold, gray, and wet. But Gus and some of his companions enjoyed the game from the Baker Hostetler loge directly behind home plate at the invitation of Arthur Lundberg, Gus’ son-in-law. The Tribe trounced the Rangers 9-4 with the last at bat and out of the game made by Matt Kata.

An avid Tribe fan, Gus watches the games at home every time they’re on television, so it was a real treat to be invited by the Baseball Lit classes to the Jake and an added pleasure to catch up with his former student.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. And a special thank you to the Baseball Lit classes for such a wonderful day!

Gus just returned from his annual golf trip. This year's trip was at the PGA National Resort in West Palm Beach, Florida. Twelve guys from New York, Chicago, Pittsburgh and Cleveland (most of them half Gus' age) enjoyed golf, poolside political conversation and evenings on the town. Although Gus did not golf, he did manage to talk the starter into letting him have a golf cart to follow some of the golfers on a few holes, giving them pointers on their swing.

Gus also managed to take a side trip to Juno Beach, where wife Grace, daughter Daria and granddaughter Amara Grace were visiting friends. Each evening the group ventured from the resort for an evening of dining and fun . . . Thursday was traditional American fare and al fresco dining at Oakwood Grille, Friday was Mexican night at Rosa Mexicana in the very chic Dowtown at the Gardens center and Saturday was sports night at Mondo's while watching Akron U loose to Miami in the MAC championship followed by a nightcap in the Resort's lobby.

When asked about his favorite part of the trip, Gus replied, "hanging out with the guys", although some heard him confide that the tomato & cheese omelets served at the breakfast buffet were a close second. Gus put his vote in for Charleston to host next year's trip and headed back to Cleveland. Although he had fun, Gus was anxious to get back to family and a dish of Sunday pasta.

Gus' next treatments will be this Tuesday (2-27) and the following Tuesday (3-6). Then he is off to West Palm Beach on March 8th with some friends and family. He may not do any golfing but there is no doubt he will thoroughly enjoy the warmth and fellowship.

The phone calls, visits, prayers, emails, and warm wishes from all of you bolster his spirits and reinvigorate him. This past week, Gus' visit to school, the Ash Wednesday Mass, and the warm welcome back he received from the St. Ignatius community meant a great deal to him. It was, he said, the best day of his 54 years of teaching.

I wanted to update you on Gus.

Gus' spirits are great. That is our gift. His love for each of us, his family and friends, has always been evident, tangible. But it is even more palpable now. He loves the visits, cards, phone calls, good wishes, and prayers. But the visits really perk him up -- he always has been such a people person.

He has opted for a very mild chemo treatment, one hour per week for two weeks with the third week off, then he begins again. They will evaluate the value of these treatments after a month. He is hoping to get a bit more time this way without a great deal of discomfort.

The greatest challenge he faces right now is stopping the weight loss. Cancer consumes calories at a rapid rate and his appetite is diminished. So he is thinner than when he was last in school.

Of course, he loves visitors so anytime you wish to drop in on them at home just call Grace to see if it is a good time.

Thank you so much for your caring, your support, and your prayers. It means a great deal to the entire Caliguire family. Thank you.