Sharon R. Calderone, 75, Longtime Forest Parker, mother of Mayor Calderone
Sharon R. Calderone, nee Goshen, a long-time Forest Park resident and mother of Forest Park Mayor Anthony Calderone, died July 27, 2005 at age 75, leaving behind seven children and 18 grandchildren.
Born in East Chicago to Wilma and Harry Goshen, Mrs. Calderone moved to Forest Park when she married the late August Calderone in 1950. She owned and operated the Short Stop Lounge for 33 years, retiring just two years ago. Mayor Calderone said she had a “second family” of regular Short Stop customers whom she watched grow up over the years.
“There’s been a number of folks that first started coming in when they were 21, and she saw them get married and have kids and some of those she even helped put to rest,” he said.
Mrs. Calderone was an active member of the community, serving as a Girl Scout leader, a Cub Scout den mother, secretary of the Oak Park Coin Club, and treasurer of the Forest Park Liquor Dealers Association.
She also served on the PTA of Garfield School, and was a member of the St. Bernardine Women’s Club and a member of the Moose Lodge. As a young adult, Mrs. Calderone was a Job’s Daughter.
Mayor Calderone said that his mother’s penchant for community service was partly what inspired him to become involved in politics, noting that “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Still, he said that her primary devotion was to her children, whom she instilled with “moral values like being kind, being courteous, being fair and being helpful.”
Mrs. Calderone’s seven children are Anne Fenske, Wilma Hudman, Anthony Calderone, Harry Calderone, Sharon Busenbark, Dorothy Bentel and David Calderone.
In addition to her 18 grandchildren, Mrs. Calderone is survived by three great-grandchildren.
She had two siblings, the late Harry Jr. and David Goshen.
Her longtime best friend and former next-door neighbor was Rita Ewalt, whom Mayor Calderone said the children used to call “Auntie Rita.”
Visitation was held July 29 at Hursen Funeral Home in Hillside. Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Bernardine Church in Forest Park, followed by interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery.
Memorials should be directed to Loyola Hospice. For information, call 1-800/562-0082 or visit www.hursen.com.
