Calvin Wallace Killian

Calvin Wallace Killian, of Seminole, FL, passed away on November 13, 2023, at the age of 96. Son of the late Calvin and Myrtle (Hammond) Killian, Cal was born on April 1, 1927 in Pendleton, NY. His late wife Gloria (Wadsworth) Killian died in 1999 aNer 52 years of marriage. Cal’s son Mark (Charlene) Killian died in 2020 following a brief illness. Cal attended LaSalle High School in Niagara Falls, leaving school after his sophomore year in 1943 at sixteen to begin life-long employment at Wendt’s Dairy. In January 1945 he enlisted in the Marine Corps at age seventeen. Following boot camp at Paris Island, SC, he was stationed briefly at Camp Lejeune, NC and Camp Pendleton, CA before being shipped to the South Pacific. While in transit, Japan announced their intent to surrender; Cal’s ship was diverted to Hawaii where he proudly marched in Honolulu’s V-J Day parade on August 14, 1945. He then served in Guam and Occupied China before his discharge in November 1946. Cal returned to Niagara Falls and Wendt’s Dairy where he resumed work on the dairy floor. Shortly thereafter, he and Gloria met at a local diner where she was a waitress; they were married in Niagara Falls in May 1947 and relocated to Tonawanda, settling in North Tonawanda in 1949. He became a home delivery milkman in Niagara Falls in 1951 and remained at the dairy until his retirement at age sixty-two in 1989. He was physically active throughout his life and was a great sports fan. Cal particularly enjoyed playing horseshoes and golf; he was always very competitive. Cal is survived by his long-time partner Linda Newkirk; children: James (Roberta) Killian, Sherri Flanigan Mancuso and Robert (Cheryl) Killian; and his sister Vivian Hepp. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Todd Killian, Michelle Phillips, Mathew Killian, Alan Flanigan and Paul Flanigan; eleven great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may visit on Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 12:00 – 2:00 pm at Fretthold & Hamp Cremation & Funeral Services, 37 Adam Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 2:00 pm. Interment at Wheatfield Cemetery. If desired, memorials may be made to the American Legion Post 273, 600 American Legion Dr, Madeira Beach, FL 33708.

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