John L. Caldwell

John L. Caldwell of Middletown went home to be with Our Lord on Thursday, March 1, 2018, at the age of 90.
John “Jack” was born March 16, 1927, to Atwood A. Caldwell and Maude Dennison Caldwell in Hillburn, where he attended Brook School and graduated from the 8th grade.
He attended Suffern High School where he was very active in sports.
He loved football, basketball, baseball and softball.
He also loved playing the saxophone, fishing and, of course, music. He had a beautiful singing voice.
He left Suffern High School in 1944 to join the U.S. Navy, where he was a Baker 3rd class. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
On Jan. 26, 1951 he married his friend Eileen De Groat. Together they had three wonderful sons.
He joined Labor Local #754 in Nyack and worked there until 1984 when he left his wife and moved to North Carolina. They had 34 good years together.
Left to celebrate his life are his sons John Jr. of Warwick, William “Bill” of Middletown and Steven S. of Warwick; five grandchildren: Jonathan, Jeffrey, Cireena, William Jr. and Ryan; also seven great grandchildren, Brianna, Taylor, Trevor, Makayla, Kadence, Kierrah and Leilani. Also celebrating his life is his first wife and best friend, Eileen Caldwell of Warwick; many nieces, nephews, cousins; four sisters-in-law, three brothers-in-law and his friend of many years, Evelyn DeFreese.
He was predeceased by one brother and four sisters, where he is now joining them.
God bless you, Jack!
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Orange Regional Medical Center Foundation, 707 East Main Street, Middletown, NY 10940.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the T.S. Purta Funeral Home.
To send a condolence online, please go to www.purtafuneralhome.com.