Henry "Hank" Thomas Calisti

Henry (Hank) Thomas Calisti, 94, passed away on October 20, 2024 with his family by his side.

Hank was born on November 16, 1929 in Export, PA. He was the son of the late Domenico and Giulia Calisti, who emigrated from Italy. He was the loving husband of Dorothy (Dottie) Morton Calisti for 35 years, who preceded him in death. Stella Calisti Cherepko, Hank’s sister, also preceded him in death.

Hank is survived by his daughter, Tina Mudd & husband Jack; sons, Tom Calisti & wife Denise, & David Calisti; grandson, Matthew Spalding & wife Grace, great-grandsons, Carter and Nolan; step-children: Pam Butler, Peggy Leathem, Penny Stradley & husband Jimmy, Ron Shaw & wife Debbie, and many step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

Hank entered the Air Force in 1948 at the age of 19.  After attending aircraft mechanic maintenance school and he served in The Korean War from 1950-1952.  He was then assigned to the 89th Air Wing at National Airport in Washington, DC, the original Air Force One Presidential Air Base, during the Eisenhower and Kennedy administrations. The 89th Presidential Crew moved to Andrews Air Force Base in MD. This is the first time jets were designed and to be used for the Presidents’ planes. Hank retired from the Air Force in 1970 as a Master Sargent.

He then worked as an Air Conditioning Refrigeration Mechanic and an Engineering Technician with Harry Diamond Laboratories until 1985. He later worked at Fairchild Air and Space, as a Government Property Administrator, labeling equipment, with a new bar code system, until retirement in 1992.

Hank was a member of Greenridge Baptist Church in Boyds, MD, where he served his church for over 30 years as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher.

Hank and Dottie went on mission trips with the World Changers Ministry to Montreal, Venezuela, Ecuador, Tennessee, and 8 times to New Orleans to help rebuild, after Hurricane Katrina. For 13 years he & Dottie cooked the Wednesday Night Church dinners.

Hank & Dottie traveled in the USA and abroad to Israel, Egypt, Germany and Italy, visiting Abruzzo, Italy where his parents were born. He loved his family, his church, gardening, dancing, cooking & catering, photography, his religious studies and mission trips.

Hank was very religious man. When life brought about changes, he never complained and was always kind and grateful.

The Celebration of Life and Viewing will be held at Greenridge Baptist Church, 21925 Frederick Rd., Boyds, MD 20841, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at 11 a.m. Fellowship and lunch following at the church.

Burial at Culpeper National Cemetery, 501 East Chandler St., Culpeper, VA 22701 on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Arrive at 10:45 a.m. for 11 a.m. service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Greenridge Baptist Church, P.O. Box 419, Clarksburg, MD 20871.

Online condolences may be shared at: www.thackerbrothers.com

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