Long-time Asbury Park Press editors Jody Calendar and Dave May pass away
Two former pillars of the Asbury Park Press newsroom, Josephine "Jody" Calendar, 74, who rose from cub reporter to deputy executive editor, and Dave May, 83, a long-time photographer who became photo editor at the paper, both passed away Sunday.
Calendar, who lived in Tinton Falls and Moultonborough, New Hampshire, became the first female chair of the Asbury Park Press Editorial Board. She started as a cub reporter and rose through the ranks in the newsroom at a time when almost no women were in positions of authority at the newspaper. A member of the board of The Associated Press, Calendar was also a seminar leader for The American Press Institute and The Poynter Institute.
Known for being a fierce advocate for her staff, Calendar helmed several investigative projects, including 1997's "House of Cards," which focused on suspicious home flips in Asbury Park and surrounding communities that were initially documented by reporters Nancy Shields and Bill Conroy. The project garnered numerous national awards for the Press, at least in part because of Calendar's zeal and dedication to the reporting.
"Jody was passionate about being a journalist and she had the great gift of being a wonderful natural storyteller," said Colleen Dee Berry, who worked with Calendar as a reporter in the Statehouse bureau in Trenton when Calendar was bureau chief there. "And she was an excellent interviewer. I worked with her on many stories for the APP and I was always amazed at her ability to get the most reluctant person to sit down and open up to her. As an editor, she took the time to mentor many younger reporters. She epitomized all the good — and fun — things that went into being a journalist at the Asbury Park Press."
To many newsroom employees from the 1980s and 1990s, Calendar was the face of the Asbury Park Press; a passionate journalist who would not mince words in conversations with both her staff and her superiors. But none could doubt her dedication to getting the best possible story for the newspaper's readers.
Life of Riley: Michael Riley, Asbury Park Press columnist loved for insight, irreverent humor, dies at 65
May, of Lakewood, died Sunday. He moved to Brick with his young family after a stint in the U.S. Navy. He began a photojournalism career at the Press that spanned decades before he retired in 2008. During that time, he photographed everything from local events and sports to U.S. presidents and NFL Super Bowls. An avid fisherman, he played an integral part in creating the "Hook, Line & Sinker" fishing section of the Press.
"Dave was a skilled and well-liked colleague," said E. Donald Lass, who served as editor and publisher of the Press from 1991-1997. "Among the best at his craft!"
Quiet and passionate about his work, May has repeatedly been described as a gentleman by his colleagues. Away from work, he loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He would build fishing rods for friends and family, buck tails, and lures — all from scratch. He loved spreading his knowledge of and passion for fishing to others.
"Dave May was an exceptionally talented photographer, especially with sports photography," said former Press photographer and photo editor Russ DeSantis. "The entire staff in the '80s and '90s under Dave was extremely talented as well. But as hard as we all worked and for all of the accomplishments, what I will remember most is that grin of his. Seeing his photo in the obituary reminded me that the camaraderie we all shared back then was just as important as the actual work."
Both Calendar and May helped shepherd the Press through an unprecedented period of growth that saw a previously local newspaper become an award-winning regional publication with the second-largest circulation in the state. The newsroom grew steadily in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, until there were more than 200 newsroom employees and bureaus in the statehouse, Asbury Park (and then Neptune), Lakewood, Freehold, Toms River, Red Bank and Stafford, with reporters also stationed in Atlantic City and Old Bridge.
An avid traveler, Calendar visited all 50 states and 53 countries. She lectured about freedom of the press in Thailand, Borneo, Singapore, Malaysia and Prague, working with the U.S. State Department. She loved animals and gave "voices" to many adopted many dogs, cats and horses over the course of her lifetime.
A graduate of Red Bank Catholic High School, Calendar graduated with honors from Brookdale Community College and Rutgers College in New Brunswick, where she was part of the first class of female students.
Jody was predeceased by her son, Bart, and is survived by her husband Carl, son Shane, daughter-in-law Kate, granddaughter Devin and grandson Luke. Services will be held at the John E. Day Funeral Home in Red Bank from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, with a party to celebrate Jody’s life being held immediately after at nearby restaurant, Buona Sera, in Red Bank. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Jody Calendar’s name to the Brookdale Community College Foundation for student support in study abroad.
Dave May is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sue Ann, his daughters along with their husbands, Tracey and Roy (Ace) Abram of Toms River, Kelly and Tom DiLorenzo of Howell, and Michele and Rick Vecchio of Brick. He will be missed by his grandchildren, Charlie, Robbie and his wife Ieesha, Gabrielle, Matthew, Michela and Andrew. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law John Laffman and several nieces, nephews and his loving cat Patty. His memory will be cherished by all who knew him.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday July 20, 2024 from 12 to 4 p.m. at Colonial Funeral Home 2170 Route 88, Brick.
A special thanks to Hackensack Meridian Hospice and Veterans Affairs of Brick. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Seeing Eye, Inc at seeingeye.org.
Jean Mikle: @jeanmikle, jmikle@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Retired Asbury Park Press editors Jody Calendar and Dave May die
