In 1999, he and his late wife Bette established the Pat and Bette Calabrese Fellowship to provide support to graduate students enrolled in the Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. At that time, he was President and Chief Operating Officer of Grieve Corporation, a manufacturer of industrial ovens and furnaces.
Calabrese is survived by his wife of 11 years, Lee, four children, six grandchildren, sister Phyllis (the late Irvin L.) Heckman, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.