David R. Kalmes, of Woburn, lost his battle with cancer on Monday, December 5th. The husband of Janice Allosso-Kalmes, he was 73.
Born in Winona City, Minnesota and raised in Rollingstone, Minnesota, David was the son of the late Arthur and Elizabeth (Hofstetter) Kalmes. Growing up, the Kalmes family owned and operated a dairy farm. David attended Holy Trinity Catholic School through high school and then went on to Winona State University. Later, he enlisted in the United States Navy and spent three years in the Reserves followed by six years active duty. For over thirty years, David worked for Boston Local 550 Sprinkler Fitters Union.
Even after a long day's work, David loved life and had many hobbies. He thoroughly enjoyed harvesting crops from his personal garden and tending his grapevines to make homemade wine. Boating, fishing, and canoeing were also his passions. He felt at home in nature and appreciated the smallest aspects of life.
Family was of the utmost importance to David. He and his wife, Janice, spent 34 blissful years together and were married for 27 years. He adored watching his grandchildren grow up and play sports. David never missed a hockey game or dance recital and was a constant support and cheerleader for them.
n addition to his wife, Janice Allosso-Kalmes, David is survived by his daughter, Patricia and her husband, Stephen Trotta of Woburn; and two grandchildren, Jacqueline and Matthew Trotta of Woburn. David was one of eight children; is survived by Barbara Stehn of Springfield, IL, Suzanne Quigley of Spokane, WA, and Eugene Kalmes, Rollingstone, MN and is predeceased by Donald Kalmes, Mary Calloway, Elizabeth Lapidius, and Rosemarie Feils.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend the funeral services on Friday, December 9th, at 9 a.m. at the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant Street, Woburn followed by a funeral mass celebrated at St. Barbara Church, 138 Cambridge Rd., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Burial with military honors is at Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. Visiting hours are on Thursday, December 8th from 4-8 p.m. at the McLaughlin-Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Kalmes' memory to the Winchester Hospital Foundation, 611 Main Street, Winchester MA 01890. The donation will be earmarked to support the Center for Cancer Care located at 620 Washington Street, Winchester. Donations may also be made in his memory to Care Alternatives Hospice, 181 Cedar Hill Rd., Marlborough, MA 01752. In the memo field of the donations, please note "In Memory of David Kalmes."