Ellsworth
Christopher Scott Calor, born Dec. 9, 1953, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sept. 9, 2021, after a fast-moving, heroic battle with cancer this past spring and summer.
Chris was predeceased by his father and mother, Allan and Julia (Mawhinney) Calor, and by his brother Michael Kerry Calor and nephew Ryan Allan Calor as well as a very special aunt and uncle, William and Muriel Berry, with whom he spent countless hours and shared the love of antiques and horses. Grandparents Fred and Vivian Mawhinney of Machias and Allan and Madelyn Calor of Jonesport also passed before him.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Wanda, and her daughter Donna Young, the apple of his eye, granddaughter Morgan Joy, and a little doll, great-granddaughter Marlie; also by Wanda’s dear sister Heidi and her family.
Chris is also survived by his little sister Julie (Calor) Vittum and her two children, Michael David and Julianne Rose, with whom he spent much of the last 10 years of his life at her home in Ellsworth where they enjoyed many meals, laughs and fun times together. He was very close to his sister and he was a very involved and loving uncle during their childhood years especially.
Additionally, he is survived by his older brother Craig Allan Calor of Northfield and nephew Paris and his wife, Kara, of Eddington, as well as Paris’s two children, Callie and Cam.
Chris held a special place in his heart for his brother Mike’s wife, Wendy, and nephew Aaron Calor of Northfield and was planning a fishing trip to the lake to see Aaron this summer.
Chris enjoyed many friendships in his life, especially through his family and business associates.
Chris graduated from Ellsworth High School and following graduation enlisted in the Army and was stationed in Germany. He enjoyed his service to his country and won several awards during his stay overseas, including being platoon leader in the infantry division. He was a skilled tank operator and won an award that qualified him for special operations training just before his honorable discharge.
After the service, Chris attended and graduated from the University of Maine at Machias. The highlight of his time at school was playing for the college basketball team, the Clippers.
Wanda and Chris started two successful businesses during their marriage, including a wreathing business through which they decorated most of the downtown Ellsworth merchants and City Hall during the holidays for much of the ’80s and ’90s.
They also both have a love of all things old and especially enjoyed “picking,” looking for finds at church and estate sales. Chris had an eye for valuable old things, especially beautiful dishes and furniture, and read all the time. He opened Calor’s Antiques on the Bangor Road, running a successful shop for more than a decade.
Chris’s favorite childhood memories were of his trips up the Machias River, fishing and hunting with his brothers, Mike and Craig, father, Bud, and grandfather, Fred. He emulated his grandfather Fred to the point he even sometimes wore his grandfather’s clothes and especially his fedora hats, which became a trademark look for Chris as well. Sitting in the big rockers by the fire at the Mattimo camp, Gramp’s coveted hunting spot, nothing was ever better. He also enjoyed being at the family cottage at Bog Lake as a boy fishing and swimming.
He shared a lifelong passion for horses and harness racing with his grandfather Fred as well. He was an accomplished horseman who knew his way around the barns. Chris was an owner, driver and had several prize-winning pacers of his own. He dearly loved to drive and was always up for watching in person or the television any race he could. He and his sister were talking about going to Windsor Fair to sit on the rail and enjoy the races. He is at peace in heaven and surely driving a fast horse on the pole position or throwing in a line with Gramp, which is a blessing.
Family and friends are invited to gather at the Chandler River Inn in Jonesboro from 1-2:30 p.m. for light refreshments and to share memories before an outdoor memorial service and family committal for Chris, Mike and Ryan, which will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery in Jonesboro on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 3 p.m. A celebration of life in Ellsworth will be held at the VFW on Oct. 16, 2021, from 1-3 p.m. Please bring and dish if you can and share memories of Chris.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Mary Dow Center in Ellsworth in the Calors’ name: NLMCH, P.O. Box 796, Ellsworth, ME 04605, attention: Joann. Chris commented on the good care by the staff of Ellsworth hospital, most especially of Drs. Bolkhir and Kairys, and at the cancer center extending a special thanks to his nurse Michelle for her patience and kindness. The family would also like to thank Northern Light Hospice for their care and thoughtfulness.