Obituary of Pierre A. Calilhanna, MD

Pierre A. Calilhanna, MD, 91

Pierre A. Calilhanna, MD, 91, passed away peacefully at home on February 16, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Born October 27, 1934 in Jerusalem to the late Antoine Calilhanna and Germaine (Guglielmi) Calilhanna, Pierre and his seven siblings made their homes on virtually every continent of the globe. In 1948, Pierre and his family were forced to leave Palestine and relocated to Jordan via Lebanon. The “smart and quiet” one of the family, Pierre pursued his higher education in Beirut, Lebanon, where he studied medicine and met his future wife, Colette.

In 1963, Pierre moved to Washington, DC to begin his residency in Orthopedics. In 1966, Colette left her home to join him in the US, sparking a devoted partnership that spanned seven decades.

In 1974, Pierre and his young family moved to Potomac, MD, where he dutifully served patients for more than 30 years before retiring in 2007. In addition to his private practice, he was affiliated with Holy Cross Hospital, Suburban Hospital, and Washington Adventist Hospital, caring for patients throughout the Maryland area. His dedication to his profession, his precision as a surgeon, and his compassionate care benefitted countless lives.

Dr. Pierre was known to many in the Potomac area as “Coach,” as he coached soccer in the nascent MSI recreational soccer league in Montgomery County, MD for 13 seasons in the ‘70s-’80s. He was also a vociferous Washington Redskins fan and season-ticket holder, attending games in the team’s heyday at RFK Stadium and FedEx Field for decades. He was swathed in his vintage Redskins blanket in his final days.

Pierre is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Colette; his two children, Andre Calilhanna (Marianne) of Phoenixville, PA, and Michelle Calilhanna (Stephen Polestak) of Arlington, VA; and his cherished grandchildren, Adler and Sylvia Calilhanna. He is also survived by his siblings: François Calilhanna, Robert Calilhanna, Maggie Seikaly, and Farida Bahous. He was preceded in death by his siblings Benoit, Marcel, and Renée Calilhanna. Pierre's beloved cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family still span the globe but were always dear to his heart.

A memorial lunch will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Pierre’s honor can be made to MSI Soccer or Doctors Without Borders. Online condolences can be made at www.rstrunkfuneralhome.com.