Joseph Francis Calek

Joseph Francis Calek, was born on Saturday, June 23, 1928, in Berwyn, IL to Joseph and Anna (Blaha) Calek. He passed into eternal life on Sunday, March 21, 2021. He was raised and educated in the Chicago area. On Saturday, December 1, 1951, he married Dawn Armstrong. In 1952, Dawn and Joe moved to Albuquerque as a result of a two-year assignment with the US Army. After discharge, he was employed at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque for 37 years. He retired from Sandia in 1992. He was a faithful and active member of Aquinas Newman Center and served the Roman Catholic Parish in various ministries. He was particularly interested in peace and justice work. After retirement, he completed his recording of the genealogy of his Czech family lines: Blaha, Calek, Cizek, and Rajdl. He eventually published his family story in Interface in 2000.

Phrases he said that described himself were: he was a humble person because he thought he had so much to be humble about; his interests were a mile wide and an inch deep; he excelled in mediocrity; and he never met a bond issue or a tax increase he didn’t like. His favorite things were Dawn, quiet times, uncrowded places, anything Czech, music, books, the city of Santa Fe, the Cumbres and Toltec, and the Durango and Silverton narrow gauge railroads.

Joe is survived by his wife of 69 years, Dawn Calek. He leaves behind two nephews; two godsons; and many close friends from his work at Sandia, and his activities in his community and with his church. He will be missed for his sense of humor, his big smile, provocative conversations, insights into life, deep Catholic faith, and joy-filled spirit.

A graveside service will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque. Those interested should support their favorite non-profit organization in his name.

Please visit our online guestbook for Joseph at www.FrenchFunerals.com.