For nearly 10 years, Israel “Izzy” Calderon’s friends and former softball teammates have gathered for benefit tournaments held in his name. What began as a fundraiser after a serious 2016 crash became an annual tradition that brought together players, local businesses and community supporters.
Calderon died on Aug. 8, and the people who knew him are now sharing memories of a man they described as upbeat, loyal and deeply devoted to his family. According to InMaricopa, teammates said he was the kind of person who rarely had anything negative to say.
Rich Vitiello, a Cobblestone Farms resident and Pinal County supervisor, said he met Calderon about 15 years ago through softball. Vitiello said Calderon was consistently positive and a great person to be around.
Eric Acosta, who met Calderon after moving to Maricopa in 2006, said their friendship grew through softball and their work in corrections until they felt like brothers. Acosta said one of his favorite memories was spending time with Calderon at Yankees games, and he hopes people remember him by slowing down, spending time with family and treating others well.
After the Dec. 28, 2016, crash at State Route 347 and Riggs Road left Calderon in a medically induced coma, his friends said they knew his family would need help. The tournament became a way for the softball community to rally around one of its own, and the group is now discussing whether it can continue as a memorial benefit that could help other families in the future, according to InMaricopa.
