Dale A. Calabrese

They will be missed. And prayed goes out to the family.

Love and condolences go out to the Calabrese family.Knowing that both are safely together is the only bright spot in this tragedy.

To comfort all...May the lives they lived be an inspiration to everyone. I worked with Audrey at Hillcrest Hospital, she was the kindest of persons and I knew Dale through the Calabrese family, a fine man. Peace to the family. Linda

To Eric, I remeber when your dad and you went fishing with Chris and his Dad,he passed away on July 11,2009,,, I have a picture of the four of you and would like for you to have it..........sincerly Sue Plickert

My Brother DaleOne Day some time ago, Dale and I were together and he said to me, “Joe I just want you to know, I respect the hell out of you”. My reply was, “Dale, the feeling is mutual. You are like a brother to me.”I once looked up the meaning of "Brother" in a dictionary and it said,"Any one closely united; an associate; as a band of brothers."That bond would be forged between Dale and I before we ever met in a land far, far away, in a place that time had forgotten. The place was called Vietnam.In that sense Dale was a brother to me in a way that most could never comprehend.I remember when I first met Dale and he proudly showed me a card that he always carried in his wallet. The card had a signature on it. The signature was that of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.Dale had met Senator Kennedy when Dale was a young boy and cherished his autograph. In his inaugural address of Jan 20, 1961 President Kennedy said 2 things that I know Dale must have heard and felt in his heart."Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country" and "Let every nation know... that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty." I know this because when Dale’s country went to war, Dale did not wait for his country to call him, he called his country. Not only to serve, but to become the “Best Of The Best”, a United States Navy SEAL” Dale was ready to “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty." When Brothers went out on a combat patrol I will always remember the "Sound Of Silence". Although I never had the honor of serving along side Dale in war, I am sure he heard it to. In our ears we heard the silence, but in our hearts we all had the same thoughts as our eyes met, "Good Luck My Brother, I Hope You Make It".When a Brother was down, the only thing that mattered was trying to help him, regardless of the consequences, for you knew that he would do the same for you.What many here today do not know is that Dale not only served his country in war, he served it in peace also. Sometime on the afternoon July 4, 2006, the skies were turning black, and the wind was beginning to blow. We were returning to Port when the call came in that a 40 ft. sailboat had overturned one mile off Mentor Harbor. On board and in command of United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel 252012 were Dale Calabrese, Joe and Donna Muharsky.As he did all his life, Dale never wavered. Four miles to go at 24 knots , 4-foot seas, and a 30-knot wind driving rain in our eyes as we scanned the lake for the wreckage. As usual, Dale had a job to do that day and he did it, and 3 people were rescued that afternoon and lived to see another day. I was so proud that I had finally got to serve with Dale.I will always remember the smile on Dale’s face the day in 2004 when Dale went with me to meet one of my team mates and brother in arms, Senator John F. Kerry and Senator Kerry placed his signature right next to John Kennedy’s on that same card Dale was so proud of.My thoughts now turn to Audrey. I looked up “Saint” in the dictionary and I feel that Audrey’s picture should have been there. Among the things that it said were, “exemplary model, extraordinary teacher, and wonder worker or source of benevolent power”I have never met a woman quite like Audrey. So much to give, and never in all the years I knew her, a cross word about another human being. What greater gift could Audrey have given to her country then to dedicate her life to healing the sick.Although it is natural that we should mourn Dale and Audrey’s s passing on this day, it is also important that we celebrate their life and what they meant to each of us. Dale was a wonderful brother who knew his job well and held his head high in service to his country. No one could ask anymore of Dale.The true measure of a person is not how long their candle burns, but how brightly. Dale and Audrey’s candle did not burn long enough but it did burn ever so brightly as is evidenced by the comments I have read from all those that knew and loved them and all that are here today to remember them.My thoughts turn now to some beautiful words that I once read which remind me of my brother Dale and his loving wife Audrey. They are written on the tombstone of the author Jack London who wrote "Call Of The Wild". I do not remember them verbatim, but they go something like this:"I would rather to have lived my life as a flaming meteor burning but for an instant brightly across the night sky in all my magnificent glory for all the world to see than to have lived as a burned out asteroid drifting aimlessly across the heavens, devoid of all meaning of life and existence."On this night I would ask that all present here today would travel to the country until you can no longer see the bright lights of the city. I would ask that you gaze at the night sky and look for that shooting star and you will know when you see it that it is Dale and Audrey together once more saying, "Thank you for not forgetting us on this day."It has been said that you have never truly departed until the last person who remembers you has passed on. If that it true then Dale and Audrey will live on for a very long time, for they will live in the hearts and the minds of all of us who they touched with their kindness, their generosity, their devotion to others, and their love.Eric, Jessica, and Rebecca, You were blessed with the most loving and wonderful Mom and Dad any children could ever wish for. I know that my grief could never compare to yours but I want you to know that a piece of me died that day also. Goodbye My BrotherMay You and Audrey Rest In PeaceWe love youJoe MuharskyRD2 United States Navy Black BeretsVietnam, 1967, 1968, 1969Forward machine gunner Swift Boat 78, Swift boat 94

To whom it may concern, I haven't had any contact with Dale since he left the Navy; but we were classmates (59) in BUD/S and later team mates at ST-1. He was a bright and engaging young man, gung ho as they say and a pleasure to be around.May God grant you peace in this time of loss.

I dated Audrey in high school for a couple of years and had the honor of taking her to the prom in my senior year in 1969."Audge", as she liked to be called in high school was a beautiful, caring and fun loving person. Her beautiful smile would light up Times Square and til this day regret that I ever broke up with her. My deepest sympathies go out to her family. stay strong. REST IN PEACE ACON QUEEN. You will always be in my heart forever. Will there be a memorial here in Nanticoke to remember her?Sister Mary, if there is anything I can do, please let me know (570) 332-1028.Bob

I would like to send my deepest sorrow for your loss. There are no words that can take away the pain. Remember they will always be in our hearts. They will be missed. My prayers to the whole Calabrese family.

I had lost contact with Dale from our graduation days at CHS, but I againmet up with him at the Madison Wineries. He introduced me to Audreyand would meet up with them at times when my band played. They bothwere a lovely couple and will be missed. My prayers go out to the familyand friends for this great loss.

Dear Calabrese and Laskowski Families, I had known Audrey as a teenager through my sister who was married to Audrey's brother Edward. I had not seen Audrey in years but heard about her life through Elaine. I did not know Dale but know they loved each other and their family. Audrey was a lovely and kind person who touched my life and she touched my heart. Please know that my prayers are with your families. There are no words, I know, to express the sorrow you are feeling.

Rebecca: Please know that my prayers are with you and your family. There are no words, Iknow, to express the sorrow you and your family must feel. God will help you get through this. He will provie strength you need. Love, Brenda

Dear Calabrese Family,Dale and I were kids together and lived just down the street from each other. He was a dear person then and I wish we had stayed in contact. I didn't have the priviledge of knowing Audrey but if Dale picked her as his bride, she must have been very special. I am so very sorry for your loss. I know that both Dale and Audrey will be missed. My prayers are with you.

Have known Dale for many years - went to school together. Did not have the pleasure of knowing his wife. My deepest condolences to your family.

Eric, Jessica, Rebecca and your families: We're so very sorry for your loss. Dale and Audrey were two of the very best people ever. God bless you all.

Terry, Debbie, Lydia, Chris and the whole Calabrese family, I am so very sorry foryour loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.