Obituary of John Calen

John Calen 54 of Poughkeepsie passed into eternal rest early Wednesday morning at St Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie, NY after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born April 7, 1956 in Rockville Center, Nassau County, Long Island, he was the son of John and Joan Calen. John began his career as an electronics technician at IBM in East Fishkill. He subsequently pursued his passion and studied at the Brew lab Brewing School at the University of Sunderland in England under Dr. Keith Thomas. He was a former Master Brewer at Gentleman Jims Restaurant and Brewery in Poughkeepsie and Ramapo Valley Brewery in Suffern NY. He was a certified BJCP judge, beer writer and critic, former President of the Hudson Valley Home Brewers Inc., and was a cofounder of the longest running annual craft beer and food festival in New York State- TAP NEW YORK. John was also a former Volunteer Fireman in Holtsville, NY, an airplane pilot, an avid world traveler, a spirited songwriter and a fireworks enthusiast having worked locally for the Legion Fireworks and internationally with Gucci Fireworks. He will be forever known for his good nature and his smile. He is survived by his beloved wife Linh Tran-Calen of Poughkeepsie, his father John of Lake Grove Long Island, his mother Joan of Apache Junction Arizona, his brother James of Holtsville NY, his sister Joyce of Mesa Arizona and his brother Jeb of Mesa Arizona. He also has several nieces and nephews as well as his father in-law Hung Tran of Poughkeepsie and brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces on his wife’s side. Arrangements are being handled by the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie New York 12603. If you would like to leave an online condolence or to sign the guestbook please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com.