Frank S. Cali, who was turned away from the Army during the Second World War and spent the next fifty years making men’s shoes instead, died on September 11, 2026 after a long illness. He was 102.
Mr. Cali was born in Boston on April 19, 1924, one of three children of Vincent and Rose (Coco) Cali, and grew up in East Boston, where he attended East Boston High School. He enlisted when the war came, but a medical condition ended his service before it began. He went to work in the shoe business and stayed in it for the rest of his working life: three decades at French, Shriner and Urner, the maker of high-end men’s footwear, then Stetson Shoe in Weymouth, Green Shoe, and finally Stride Rite. He did not retire until he was 73.
He and his wife, Rose (Polia) Cali, were married for 65 years and raised their son and daughter in East Boston. In retirement he kept busy with card games, bingo, afternoons at Suffolk Downs and Wonderland, and a steady supply of scratch tickets. His family described him as a man who lived on his own terms.
His wife died before him. He leaves his son, Vincent A. “Jimmy” Cali, and Vincent’s wife Paula of Peabody; his daughter, Antoinette “Ann” Moody of Melrose, whose husband Timothy R. Moody Sr. died earlier; six grandchildren, Mary Rose Burrows of Dover, New Hampshire, Kristen R. Cali of Revere, Timothy R. Moody Jr. of Bridgewater, Kerri A. Hurley of Revere, Brian V. Cali of Holden, and Dawn Moody of Malden, together with their spouses and partners; 15 great-grandchildren; his sister, Concetta “Connie” Laurentano of Winthrop; and many nieces and nephews. His sister Mildred “Millie” Santilli also died before him.
Visitation is Wednesday, September 16, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the Vertuccio Smith and Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere Street, Revere. Burial is private. The family suggests memorial gifts to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.
Compiled from information published by Vertuccio Smith & Vazza Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach Street, Revere. Photograph courtesy of the family via Vertuccio Smith & Vazza. This is our own summary, not the family’s obituary; read the full obituary and leave a condolence at the funeral home’s page on Legacy.com. Corrections: we will fix any error promptly.