Calvera, Jorge (Jordi)

Jorge (Jordi) Calvera, 88, artist and long-time resident of Blacksburg, died suddenly on Monday, October 24, 2016 of heart complications at the ICU of Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Elizabeth (Libby); his nephew, Jordi Calavera and wife Montserrat Miralles, Barcelona, Spain; brother-in-law, M. Daniel Cure and sister-in-law, Isabel Lehman, Santiago, Chile; niece, Jeanne Cure, Falls Church; and niece, Kelly Cure, Triangle. He was predeceased by his parents, Tomás and Consuelo; and his only brother, Joaquín, all of Barcelona, Spain.

Born in Barcelona, Jordi was a survivor of the Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and the bleak years that followed that conflict. He received no formal education because, after the war, he went to work to help his family. After years of holding down several jobs simultaneously, he emigrated to Venezuela in 1955, where he eventually found economic stability, and met his wife. At her urging, he began to paint full time and had several successful exhibitions. In 1979, they moved to Blacksburg, where he continued to paint and market his work. A prolific artist, he specialized in quiet oil canvases showing light playing on water or filtering through trees. Snow-covered pastures, fall foliage, sheep, cattle, or buffalo grazing on a local farm, all graced his paintings. Although his life was full of dramatic difficulties, his art reflected peace, hope, and tranquility.

A thank-you goes out to all the medical personnel, doctors and nurses who assisted him in the medical center, most especially Dr. Walter A. Tan and Dr. Frank Wu.

At Jordi’s request, there will be no memorial service. He will be cremated. Friends can contact his wife by e-mail ecalvera@vt.edu or mail at 2816 Wellesley Court, Blacksburg, Va. 24060.