R.I.P. 'Rod' Calarco, Longtime Radio Sales Executive

'Rod' Calarco ('47-'26)

John Anthony Calarco, known as Rod, who divided his time between White Plains, New York, and Naples, Florida, died of a heart attack on October 12, 2026. He was 79. A proud Italian American, Rod passed away on Columbus Day, a fitting coincidence for a man who took great pride in his heritage.

Rod had a big personality, a laugh that filled a room, a sharp sense of humor, and a seemingly endless supply of stories and advice. His signature words of wisdom came to be known as “Rodisms.” Whether offering sage advice, sharing a story, or simply making people laugh, Rod made an impact on everyone in his sphere. Family was important to Rod and he loved his time with them, especially during the holidays. He was an enthusiastic cook and baker and loved sports, including jogging, rollerblading, and tennis, as well as outings with his decades-long “Romeo” golf friends.

Professionally, Rod spent 28 years at CBS Radio, beginning as a salesperson at WCBS-AM before rising to Vice President and General Manager of WCBS-FM, where he led the station during its ascent to No. 1 and met his future wife of 26 years, Cathleen (Cathy) Kelly Calarco. He subsequently became Vice President and Group Head, overseeing operations across CBS-owned and operated FM radio stations. Although his last position at CBS was the most prestigious, WCBS-FM was always his heart and soul.

His career also included positions at ABC Television, CBS-owned WCAU-AM in Philadelphia, CBS-owned KRQR-FM in San Francisco and The CBS National Sales Rep Firm in Chicago. He later joined WorldSpace International Radio, an early satellite radio venture that paved the way for the satellite radio services that followed. Rod began his career in sales at WFAS-AM in White Plains, New York, returning years later as General Manager, a position he held until his retirement.