Charles L. Calabro, youth baseball and football coach, dies at 74

"MR. C" WAS a popular figure in the Greater Northeast, where he was a baseball and football coach whose goal was to persuade youngsters to love sports as much as he did.

Mr. C - Charles L. Calabro - a retired Philadelphia Water Department employee, Navy veteran and onetime chauffeur who got to squire around actors making movies in Philly, died Oct. 6. He was 74 and living in Port Charlotte, Fla.

Charlie was born in Philadelphia to Frank Calabro and the former Kathryn Smyth. He graduated from Overbrook High School and joined the Navy at age 17. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal.

Charlie worked for a time as a long-distance truck driver and then as a chauffeur who drove actors working on the films "Taps," "Blow Out," "The House of God" and others.

His favorite passenger was Dennis Franz, who played Detective Andy Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue" and Lt. Norman Buntz on "Hill Street Blues." He also drove Charles Haid, Franz's "Hill Street Blues" co-star.

As a result, Charlie was a big fan of the shows.

As a youth leader, Charlie coached for many years alongside the late Vince Masciulli at the Liberty Bell Youth Organization. Charlie ran the offensive line for the 65-pound football team, winning a few championships along the way. He also coached baseball for Liberty Bell.

"He believed kids needed sports, and he tried his best to help them achieve the same love he had," his family said. "He loved strategy, again passing his love to as many kids as he could.

"He was a proud Philadelphian and shared his love of the city with all," his family said.

After retiring from the Water Department, he and his wife, the former Marie Menow, moved to Florida, where he loved the beach and the warm weather.

Besides his wife of 47 years, he is survived by three sons, Michael, Anthony and Christopher; a daughter, Janine Murphy; and three grandchildren. He was predeceased by a sister, I. Mae Calabro.

Services: Will be private.