Career
He was the first Italian American to serve as Minority Leader of the Ohio Senate. Calabrese, born as Orlando Anthony Calabrese in Forli del Sannio, Italy, immigrated to the United States in 1920 at the age of 13 and loved his new home in Cleveland, Ohio. Both sons are still active contributing members to the city of Cleveland.
Anthony O. Junior., has served the local and state government in several elected and appointed positions and Leonard M. Calabrese has worked for the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland during his long and dedicated service.
He has been President of Catholic Community Connection since 2008. In 1970, Anthony O. Calabrese was the Democratic nominee for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Ohio.
He chaired Italo-Americans for Kennedy in 1960, Italian Americans for Johnson in 1964 and Italian Americans for Humphrey in 1968. He also co-chaired the Nationalities Division of the Ohio Democratic Party in those years.
Anthony O. Calabrese was also a national leader among Italian Americans, serving for many years as a leader in the Sons of Italy in America culminating in becoming the First Supreme Venerable and also helping to found the Commission on Social Justice.
He was awarded the Cross of Merit from the Republic of Italy for his civic and humanitarian work, especially advocating for orphans and earthquake victims in Italy and for immigrants in the United States. He testified before Congressional committees in 1965 in favor of the historic Immigration Reform Acting which was signed by President Johnson, ending discriminatory provisions against Italians and other groups. Calabrese was also the sponsor of legislation making Columbus Day a legal holiday in Ohio and worked for that nationally.
Good grammar or Good government?" Anthony O. Calabrese Senior, and Junior., served as the only father-son elected representatives in the Ohio senate.
