Who We Are

Our professional staff has years of experience caring for families from all walks of life. We are leaders in our profession, with dedication to service and professional integrity.

• When we sit down with a family, our shared goal is to create a fitting, memorable and affordable service for their loved one. We offer them a wide variety of services and products, as well as a wealth of creative ideas and suggestions. Together, we'll design a memorial or funeral service that suits their needs now, and in the future. Families who come to us know that years from now, they will have deep peace-of-mind because in coming to us, they've done their best to honor their loved one.

• Our History

  The year was 1908. Henry Ford was about to introduce his "Model T" to the Detroit driving public, and three Italian-American brothers, Frank J., Louis C., and Paul C. Calcaterra (who later moved to St. Louis), opened their first funeral home on Brewster and Rivard, near the present Eastern Market area. A few years later in 1915, Frank T. Bagnasco started his funeral business on St. Aubin Street in the same neighborhood. As time passed and as Detroit's population grew, both families saw the need to expand. In the late 1930's, they coincidentally relocated their respective businesses to separate addresses on prestigious East Grand Boulevard.

  Again, in response to the growth in population and the shift of the marketplace to the eastern city limits and suburbs, the Bagnasco Funeral Home, then operated by Frank's widow Bessie and her two sons Sam and Anthony, moved to it's current location in St. Clair Shores. After Frank J. Calcaterra passes away in 1949, his brother took over the operation along with his four sons: Louis Jr., Frank, Paul, and Lawrence. They later moved their business to Moross and Kelly Roads in the heavily-populated northeast corner of Detroit. The suburban sprawl caused still another move, and in 1984, the Calcaterra family opened another funeral home on Schoenherr Road and 15 Mile in Sterling Heights.

  Now, almost a century since that first business began serving the ever-growing community, the two families, who have built impeccable reputations in their own right, have come together to combine their years of experience by setting the standard for funeral service excellence. Frank Bagnasco's grandson Bill and Louis Calcaterra Sr.'s son Paul now have leadership roles in the combined operation and carry on the tradition of personal service to families in their time of greatest need.

• 
  Bill Bagnasco, Vice President

  Bill was born in Detroit, and raised in Grosse Pointe Park. Bill is a third generation family member working in funeral service for over 35 years. Bill is actively involved in many charities as a member of the Italian American Delegates, Italian Cultural Center, Sterling Heights Chamber of Commerce, and the Jefferson Yacht Club. He resides in St. Clair Shores and along with his two daughters Samantha and Elena are members of the St. Joan of Arc Parish.

• 
  Paul R. Calcaterra, President

  Paul was born and raised in Detroit. After graduating high school he attended Michigan State and Wayne State University receiving his Mortuary Science Degree. He is a second generation funeral director raised in a family dedicated funeral business. He is a member of San Francesco & St. John Vianni Parish. His many memberships include, Past President of Americans of Italian Origin, Past President of San Francesco Orphans Club and Bowling League, and Past President of Italian American Chamber of Commerce. Paul and his wife Suzan now reside in Shelby Twp. Their children include Paul M., Bonnie, David, Christine, Kim & Kelly, and proud Papa to his grandchildren.

• 
  Thomas E. Rood, Director-Managing Partner

  Tom was born in west Michigan, but has lived in the Detroit area for over two decades. He has been actively involved in funeral service since he was 14 years old, and has been a licensed funeral director for over 20 years. Tom’s career has included opportunities to see funeral service in action throughout southeast Michigan and the United States; he brings his passion for care and years of experience to Bagnasco & Calcaterra as the Managing Partner. Tom and his wife Paula have four children; Kristen, Kelsey, Erik and Alec. He has been active in multiple community and funeral service organizations throughout his career.

• 
  Robert A. Wilk, CFSP - Manager, Funeral Director

  Robert, a second generation funeral director grew up in Hamtramck. Robert attended Michigan State University completing his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration as well as a graduate of Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science holding a position on the faculty teaching Funeral Directing and Mortuary Management. Robert is a member of MFDA, NFDA, Grosse Pointe Woods Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, MFDA Education Committee, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Our Lady Queen of Apostle Parish, and is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. Robert joined the Bagnasco & Calcaterra family in 2003. He resides in St. Clair Shores with his wife Danielle (also a funeral director with our firm) and his two children, Carly and Andrew.

• 
  Rick Garofola, Manager, Funeral Director

  Rick was born in Detroit, and raised in Easpointe. He graduated from Walsh College with a degree in Finance. Rick pursued his passion for funeral service and graduated from the Wayne State University School of Mortuary Science in 1987. Rick has been a licensed funeral director for over 20 years and is committed to providing excellent service and compassion to our families, he is well known for his energy and keen attention to detail. Rick is a 3rd and 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, and is active in the Catholic Church. He and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Kristie and Gina.

• 
  Bruce R. Francis, Funeral Director

  Bruce was born in Detroit and raised in Roseville. A graduate of Lutheran High School East, he attended Wayne State University, earning his degree in Mortuary Science. Bruce has been a licensed funeral director since 1984 and has over 30 years of experience caring for families at their most difficult time. He is respected as a calm presence with a warm and caring attitude. Bruce has been a Warren resident for 25 years where he lives with his wife Patti and their son, Kyle. The Francis family are members of St. Anne Catholic Church.

• 
  Danielle R. Wilk, CFSP - Funeral Director

  Danielle was raised in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. She began working in funeral service while in high school. After graduating high school she enlisted in the U.S. Army, and received several ribbons of Distinction. Danielle attended Wayne State University graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Mortuary Science. She is a Service Officer for the American Legion Post #286, a member of AMVETS Post #121 and P.L.A.V. Post#169, St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, MFDA, NFDA, Michigan Embalmers Society, and is a Certified Funeral Service Practitioner. Danielle joined the Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home family in 2003 and currently works in a part time capacity. She resides in St. Clair Shores with her husband Robert (also a funeral director with our firm) and children Carly and Andrew.

• 
  Joseph Richard Tabbi, Funeral Director-Pastor

  Joe was born in Detroit, raised in St. Clair Shores. He started his career with Bagnasco Funeral Home and graduated from Wayne State University Department of Mortuary Science. Joe has been actively involved in funeral service for over 35 years. He also attended Burien School of Bible and Lake Charles Bible Seminary and received his Doctorate of Theology. Joe is now the Pastor of the South Lyon Family Worship Center. He is involved in many activities in the St. Clair Shores Metro East Area. Joe resides in South Lyon with his wife Joann, daughter Gina Marie, and son Richard. He is a proud grandfather of Angelina and Christopher.

• 
  Ann Malkowski, St. Clair Shores Office Manager

  Ann was born in Detroit, Michigan and started her career in the funeral industry after her last child entered college. She has worked with two funeral homes and in 1997 joined the family at the St. Clair Shores Chapel of the Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home. Ann and her husband, Jim are the parents of 3 children and enjoy their 5 granddaughters. They reside in Eastpointe, Michigan and are involved in their home parish of St. Basil the Great Catholic Church.

• 
  Linda Calcaterra-Hill, Sterling Heights Office Manager

  Born in Detroit, MI. 1947 to Louis & Mercedes Calcaterra. Moved to Grosse Pointe Woods at the age of 3 yrs. Resident of Harrison Township for over 30 years. Sister to Louis III, of Las Vegas, NV.; Laurice of Michigan and Lee, of Las Vegas NV. Attended our Lady Star of the Sea School. Wife of the late Kenneth Hill. Proud Mother & Grandmother a/k/a "Grammy Cracker" to son, Joseph Murray and wife Dana & children Zach & Ariana; daughter Reena & children Zach, Philip & Michael; stepson Kenneth & wife Sharon Hill. Member of Shepards Gate Lutheran Church and also attends Living Hope by The Bay Lutheran Church. Began working for the family business "Frank J. Calcaterra Funeral Home" on 7 mile & Kelly in 1980.

• 
  Brian Carl Moler, Accounting Administrator

  Brian was Born in Grosse Pointe Woods and raised in Detroit and Harper Woods. He graduated from Bishop Gallagher High School in 1987. Then went to Macomb Community College. He started working in the funeral business in December of 1988.
  
  Brian and his wife Janet now reside in Eastpointe. Their children include Kayla, Tyler, Shelby and Zachary.

• 
  Ambassador Staff,

  Our caring, compassionate Ambassadors come from throughout the area and are a very important part of the care we provide to the communities we serve. Our ambassadors include Nancy Berg, Vincent Carver III, JoAnne Dunn, Kim Dunn, Dave Emmendorfer, Mary R. Kazyaka, Richard Koscielski, Sharon Koscielski, Sharon Macks, Ron Manaigo, Manuel Moceri, Randal Moody, Jim Salassa, Bob Schmidt, Vito (Bill) Spagnolo and Timothy J. Summers. Remembering Tom Gibney (2010)...