Peter Joseph "Pete" Caldarera

Peter Joseph Caldarera, Jr., 79, of Lake Charles went to be with our Lord and Savior Friday, May 14, 2021 from a local hospital.

Mr. Caldarera was born August 17, 1941 to Peter Joseph Caldarera, Sr. and Rose Terranova Caldarera.  He was a lifelong resident of Lake Charles, a graduate of Lake Charles High School and a veteran of the United States Navy.  Mr. Caldarera began working in his father’s gift shop, Pete’s Gift Shop, Inc., the premier Wedding Registry and gift shop in the local area.  Upon his father’s retirement, he took over the business until closing its doors in 1989.  Mr. Caldarera made a commitment thirty-six years ago to Alcoholics Anonymous and with that commitment, he dedicated his life to sobriety and the overwhelming desire to mentor countless new friends through the program.   His greatest joy was his family and his many dogs.  He enjoyed traveling with them by RV and camping in Colorado and at Disney World.  He especially loved cheering on and supporting his grandchildren in all their functions and events and getting together weekly for a family meal.  Mr. Caldarera was a well-known and well-respected businessman in the area who will be most remembered for his love of his AA family and his unending generosity.

He leaves to honor his memory, his son, Christopher Moore Caldarera and wife Kathryn of Lake Charles and four grandchildren, Blake Caldarera and fiancé, Hilary Pryor, Taylor Caldarera, Julie Caldarera and Kelly Caldarera and fiancé, Stephan Fontenot. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Helen Gurcheau Caldarera and son, Michael Joseph Caldarera.

Interment services with his family will be held privately at Consolata Cemetery.  A celebration in his honor will be at 4:00 PM Thursday, May 20, 2021 at the North Venue of Trinity Baptist Church under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.  Toby Osborne will officiate.  A gathering of family and friends will begin Thursday at 3:00 PM at the North Venue of Trinity Baptist. 

Donations in his memory may be made to LAPAW, Lake Area Partnerships for Animal Welfare in c/o Bayou South Animal Hospital, 5700 Highway 14, Lake Charles, LA 70607 or an animal charity of choice.