Comax Flavors Chairman and Founder Dr. Peter J. Calabretta passed away on Jan. 19, 2020, at the age of 85.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Calabretta was a triple alumnus of St. John’s University, where he earned his BA in 1955, his MS in 1958, and his PhD in 1965, all in chemistry. Prior to founding Comax Flavors in 1977, Calabretta worked at selected companies, including Hoffman LaRoche, Stauffer Chemical, and Felton International.
He was a member of the Institute of Food Technologists for 40 years, and he was a member of The Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), where he served on various committees. In 2018, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award by St. John’s University, where he also has an annual scholarship awarded in his name.
Calabretta is survived by his wife, Louise; children, Peter Calabretta Jr., Paul Calabretta, Laura Ferrante, Claudine Muccini, and Catherine Armstrong; and seven grandchildren.
IFT expresses its deepest sympathies to his family and friends, and its sincere appreciation for Peter’s passion and commitment to the industry.
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