Frank M. "Coach Max" Caldarera

Coach Max Caldarera, 67, passed away suddenly, Monday, March 28, 2016 in a local hospital.

Coach Caldarera was born in Lake Charles, LA on July 10, 1948 to Johnnie and Peggy Bertrand Caldarera. He graduated from Elton High School in 1966. Coach Max graduated in 1972 from McNeese State University with a degree in Health and P/E and a minor in English and Speech. He later obtained a Master’s Degree and a Plus 30 in Administration and Supervision. From 1972 through 1974, he served as Assistant Coach at Merryville High School, under legendary Coach Leo Paine, and from 1974 through 1977 he served as Assistant Coach at Westlake High School, under Coach Charles Vicknair. In 1977, Coach Max became the Head Football Coach at Westlake High School and served in that position until his retirement in 2011, with a record of 210-165. In 2007, Coach Max took the Westlake Rams to the Louisiana State Title Game. Coach Max was a two-time winner of the American Press Southwest Coach of the Year award. Coach was elected to the Calcasieu Parish School Board in 2015.

Coach Max was a member of St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake, where he served as an usher and attended an ACTS retreat. Coach Max’s passions were coaching, duck and deer hunting, snow skiing, and enjoying his friends and family. He was an excellent cook and enjoyed being with people. His greatest accomplishment in life was loving his family.

Survivors include his wife of forty-six years, Wanda LeJeune Caldarera, son Max “Pistol” Caldarera II and wife Jada, daughter Kimberly Caldarera Dixon and husband Don, five grandchildren: Dustin and Braden Duhon, Elysia, Olyvia, and Max “Little Boy” Caldarera III; mother Peggy Bertrand Smith, brothers Jay Caldarera and wife Gloria, Charles Caldarera and wife Mary Lou, Stanley Caldarera and wife Carey, sisters; Becky Tholkes and husband Larry, Marlene Caldarera, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his father Johnnie Caldarera, stepmother Jeanette Caldarera, and step-father Enice Smith.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 pm, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Westlake. Reverend Albert Borel and Monsignor Jace Eskind will officiate. Burial will be at Liberty Cemetery in Elton under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM Wednesday, with a rosary at 6:00 pm. Visitation will continue from 9:00 AM until time of service, Thursday. All visitation and services will be held at St. John Bosco Catholic Church, 1301 Sampson Street, Westlake, LA.