Deacon Wally Calabrese was born and raised in Michigan. In August 1987 he entered boot camp for the United States Marine Corps. He retired from the Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant in August 2007. During his time in the Marine Corps, he met and fell in love with his future bride, Amy. They married in April 1992 and they were blessed with two daughters. Their daughters are grown and married and have children of their own.
Throughout his marriage and with his wife’s prayers and example, his faith continued to grow. He earned a MA in Pastoral Theology, and discerned a vocation as a deacon in the Catholic Church and was ordained June 26, 2010.