Comax Flavors Chairman and Founder Dr. Peter J. Calabretta passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at the age of 85.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Calabretta was a triple alumnus of St. John’s University where he earned his BA in 1955, his MS in 1958, and his Ph.D. in 1965, all in Chemistry. His dedication to the university continued when he established the Peter J. Calabretta, Ph.D. Scholarship Fund, which is awarded annually to a current student. In June of 2018, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award. Prior to founding Comax Flavors in 1977, Dr. Calabretta worked at selected companies including Hoffman LaRoche, Stauffer Chemical, and Felton International. In addition, he was an active member of The Flavor and Extracts Manufacturers Association (FEMA) serving on various committees.