Mar 19

Mar 19 We understand Rochester's history better because of Alan Calavano

Nobody knew Rochester's history quite like Alan Calavano.

The longtime historian and arts advocate died this past Friday at the age of 70, according to his close friend Bari Amadio.

"He was like Mr. Rochester Historian," she told the P-B. "Everyone knew Alan, especially in the arts world … He had a wonderful kind of witty sense of humor."

A New Jersey native, Calavano moved to Rochester in the 1960s for a job at IBM. He was known throughout the community for his work with the Rochester Male Chorus, Heritage Preservation Committee and History Center of Olmsted County.

In 2015, Calavano was recognized my the mayor's office with the Ardee award for outstanding volunteer in the arts.

He also authored a book about Rochester's history using a collection of vintage postcards. All the proceeds of the book were donated to the history center.

"Rochester has grown and changed incredibly since it was chartered as a city in 1858," he wrote. "Despite these changes, Rochester retains its small-town welcomeness."

Well said, Alan. Well said.