Thomas Kalfa

Thomas Kalfa, 77, of Cerritos, Calif. passed away peacefully on March 16, 2022.

Tom was the son of Arthur and Paulina Kalfa, Albanian immigrants. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Stuyvesant High School, one of New York City's elite science and math public schools. As a freshman, he joined the fencing team with no experience in the sport, later becoming the team's co-captain and leading the squad to two consecutive city championships.

Tom attended Columbia University where he earned his B.A. and continued his fencing, becoming a member of the University's national championship team. He then attended Bernard Baruch College where he earned an MBA in management. Following his graduate studies, Tom served two years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war. On completion of his military duty, he married his wife Dottie on February 14, 1971, and went to work for United Airlines. He spent 36 years rising to head the Western Division of Safety and Security.

Tom was an avid swimmer and creative writer. For many years, Tom and Dottie traveled to Albania so that Tom could connect more directly to his heritage. From those trips, Tom wrote and published an engaging series of stories detailing their travels in Albania, and the very personal emotions he felt finally meeting lost family members. Tom will also be remembered for his comic drawings, his annual rhymed Christmas missives, and the kindness he showed to everyone he met.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Dottie, his sister-in-law, Sabina, his nephews, Michael and Mark and niece Melissa. He was predeceased by his parents and his older brother George.

Burial will be private.