Anthony L. Catalano, 87, formerly of West Roxbury, MA died peacefully Friday July 27 at Newbridge on the Charles in Dedham. He was the beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (Picariello) Catalano, who died in 1992. Mr. Catalano was born in Boston, the son of the late Fedele Catalano of Benevento, Italy, and Elisa (Reda) of Boston. Mr. Catalano is predeceased by his two younger brothers, Michael and Joseph. Mr. Catalano graduated from Northeastern University (NU) in 1954 with a BS in Electrical Engineering, and would later receive his Masters in 1958. From 1958 to 1991,Mr. Catalano was employed at Varian Associates (now CPI Associates) in Beverly, MA, where he was instrumental in developing the microwave tube manufacturing process for use in the commercial, aerospace, and military defense sectors. He also served as the director of the Varian Federal Credit Union for many of those years.
Following his retirement, Mr. Catalano, who remained active in NU’s Alumni Association, volunteered through the University’s RE-SEED (Retirees Enhancing Science Education through Experiments and Demonstrations) program, where he taught scientific principles to Boston middle school teachers, mentored students, assisted with science projects, and provided hands-on demonstrations. In his free time, he could be found tinkering with various appliances, and soldering household gadgets to improve their efficiency. Among his favorite pastimes were cooking family meals, listening to music,golfing, gardeningand playing the piano, especially songs from the big band era. His family will never forget how devoted he was to his wife Betty, especially during the years she was ill. Similarly, he was a model of filial devotion as he took care of his mother, Elisa, in the final decades of her life. “If you have your health, you have everything,” he often said, and he was happiest when his children and grandchildren were gathered around his kitchen table for pasta and pizza.
Mr. Catalano is survived by four children: Carol Martin, wife of the late Thomas Martin of Lexington, MA, Rita Jellison, wife of Gerard Jellison of Allston, MA, Lisa Healy, wife of Paul Healy of West Roxbury, MA, and AnthonyCatalano, husband of Patricia (Morgan) Catalano of Bellingham, MA; 6 grandchildren: Elizabeth Martin, Jessica Jellison, Paul and Michael Healy, and Anthony and Audrey Catalano. His grandchildren have cherished memories of “Papa,” “Pa,” or “Grampy” (as they variously called him)and appreciate the musical and intellectual traits they inherited from him. He taught them to take life—but not themselves—seriously. All will miss his perpetual smile, his devotion to family, and the way his eyes lit up in front of a cannoli.
Funeral from The Robert J. Lawler & Crosby Funeral Home, 1803 Centre St. West Roxbury on Thursday August 2, at 9:00 am. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in The Holy Name Church at 10:00 am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.
Visiting hours in the funeral home on Wednesday August 1, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm.
Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Needham.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Anthony’s memory to Northeastern University, RE-SEED, www.giving.northeastern.edu