Joceleyn Emory Kaligis, 82, died May 10, 2019. He was the husband of Patriciann (Kotsch) Kaligis for 50 years.

Born in Amsterdam, Holland, he was the son of Gerrit Hendrik ‘Pi’ Kaligs and Cornelia Titarsoleij of Indonesia.

He lived as a child through World War II where the bombings of Europe left Amsterdam in ruins and found trouble as a young adult gaining employment due to prejudices concerning his Indonesian citizenship. His mother married again to a Dutch National Johannes ‘Aki’ Verdoorn, PhD, MD. In 1954, the Hungarian Revolution created refugee openings to allow emigration to the United States which, along with Dr. Verdoorn’s credentials, led to opportunity for him to travel out of Europe to the United States.

In 1965, he was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the Veterinary Corp and worked as a food inspector.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Illinois, majoring in German and minoring in French.

He moved to Bethlehem to start his first teaching position at Pen Argyl School District. He transferred to Freedom High School, then moved to Whitehall High School. He taught German, social studies and humanities for 34 years, retiring in 1991. He coached the WHS field hockey and chess teams.

He worked as a purchasing agent at Hess’s, then Fuller Company and PPL Electric. He taught, coached and played hockey and worked at the state liquor store.

He brought home a bronze medal for the U.S. men’s field hockey team in the Pan American Games.

He officiated field hockey games and was president of the local chapter of field hockey officials.

He is survived by many family members. His U.S. surviving family includes his wife; sons, Chris ‘Zeke’ and Jake and Annie (Christopher of Berwick); a grandchild, Kevin Kowalick; three in-law siblings, John F. Kotsch, Martin Kotsch and Marlene Kotsch (Martinelli); and nephews and nieces, Kimberly Graham, Kristine Kotsch and Scott Bradoka, Kerri Kotsch and Karl and Kristen Kotsch. His EU siblings include, three sisters, Sidone Tichelaar, Karen Maya Schouten (Verdoorn) and Laila Wijnanda; a brother, Rohandi; and six nephews and nieces, Mareike, Bas, Gys, Hardjono, Srihati and Rachmat.

His ashes will be immortalized in a ceremony 11 a.m.-2 p.m. May 25 at Zentz Community Center, 3000 Fellowship Drive, Whitehall. A reception will start 4 p.m. at Willow Tree Grove banquet hall, 2844 Township Line Road, Orefield. A covered dish (hot or cold) and/or beverage is welcomed but not mandatory.

Contributions may be made in his memory to Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

Arrangements were made by Gilbert Funeral Home, Inc., Whitehall.