John J. Cali

John J. Cali (August 8, 1918 – February 1, 2014) was an American real estate developer.[1]

John J. Cali
BornAugust 8, 1918
Tercio, Colorado, U.S.
DiedFebruary 1, 2014(2014-02-01) (aged 95)
Indian Wells, California, U.S.
NationalityUnited States
EducationIndiana University (B.A.)
OccupationReal estate developer
Known forCo-founder of Mack-Cali Realty Corporation
Spouse(s)Spouse1 (divorced)
Renee Cali (deceased)
Rose C. Cali
Children5

Biography

Cali was born in Tercio, Colorado in Las Animas County, a coal mining town[2] and raised in Passaic, New Jersey,[3] the son of an Italian[4] immigrant miner.[1] He graduated from Clifton High School.[1] He worked his way through college by playing saxophone and clarinet in jazz and swing bands eventually graduating from Indiana University with a B.A. in sociology and psychology.[1] After school he worked for the Western Electric Company and in 1949, he co-founded Cali Associates with his brother, Angelo R. Cali and a friend, Edward Leshowitz.[5][3] Cali initially focused on residential properties building over 5,500 housing units in New Jersey before expanding into the development of commercial buildings in 1969.[5] In 1989, he built the International Financial Center in Jersey City.[2] In 1994, the company went public as a real estate investment trust under the name Cali Realty Corporation, creating the first office REIT in New Jersey;[4] he served as its chairman from 1994 until its 1997 merger with the Mack Company (founded by H. Bert Mack and then operated by his four sons Fredric H. Mack, David S. Mack, Earle I. Mack, and William L. Mack)[5] creating Mack-Cali Realty Corporation, the largest office-property owner in New Jersey.[4] He retired in 2000.[5] Cali also was a co-founder of Cali Futures, which focuses on real estate investment projects in New Jersey.[1]

Philanthropy

In 2008, Cali donated $5 million to Montclair State University to fund a school of music known as the John J. Cali School of Music.[1] Cali served as president of the Office Developers Association of New Jersey.[1] In 1996, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.[1]

Personal life

Cali was married three times. His first marriage ended in divorce. His second marriage ended in 1973 after his wife, Renee, and his stepdaughter, Leslie Grant, were murdered in the basement of the family's home in Upper Montclair, New Jersey.[2] The family's "window washer who had been occasionally employed by the Calis was later convicted in the murders."[6] His third marriage was to fellow Montclair State alumni Rose C. Cali.[1][3] He has five children: Brant Cali, Jonna Cali, Christopher Cali, Michael Nevins, and Joshua Nevins.[1]

References
  1. Montclair State University: "In Memoriam: John J. Cali - Montclair State University Community Saddened By Passing of Friend, Supporter and Music School Benefactor" retrieved November 23, 2014
  2. New York Times: "John J. Cali, a Leader in New Jersey Real Estate, Dies at 95" By JULIE CRESWELL February 10, 2014
  3. Real Estate Weekly: "Cali’s legacy is buildings and music" by Sarah Trefethen February 4, 2014
  4. North Jersey.Com: "Office real estate magnate John Cali dies at 95" By Linda Moss February 4, 2014
  5. Bloomberg: "John Cali, Co-Founder of Mack-Cali Predecessor, Dies at 95" By Laurence Arnold February 4, 2014
  6. Creswell, Julie (2014-02-10). "John J. Cali, a Leader in New Jersey Real Estate, Dies at 95". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-06.
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