In 1967, he ran for District Attorney of Bronx County,[2] but was defeated by the incumbent Democrat Isidore Dollinger.
[3] He died on January 20, 1986, in Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan, after suffering a series of heart attacks.
[4] His widow Jo Ann Calandra ran as an Independent in the special election for her husband's Senate seat in April 1986,[5] but was defeated by Republican Guy Velella.
[6] The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute, which is located in Manhattan but under the aegis of Queens College, New York City, is named in his honor.
The John D. Calandra Lodge #2600 of the Order of Sons of Italy in America (OSIA) is named after him, and was founded in 1986, based in Yonkers.