Anthony Catalano, 89; A Founder of J. Catalano and Sons

Anthony J. “Tony” Catalano, a lifelong Greenwich resident, passed away on April 20, 2014 at Greenwich Hospital, with his wife Grace by his side. He was 89.

The son of Joseph and Flavia Catalano, he was born on Aug. 26, 1924, in United Hospital, Port Chester, NY.

He graduated from Greenwich High School in January 1943 and entered the service in March 1943. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Gunnery Instructor for B-25, B-26, B-17 and B-24 airplanes. He was Honorably Discharged in 1946 and went to NY Technical School to learn heating and air conditioning. Mr. Catalano then went to work with his father in the coal and fuel business, eventually establishing the family business J. Catalano and Sons, Inc. with his father and brothers.

In 1962, Mr. Catalano became Chief of the East Port Chester Fire Department. He was a past President of the Byram Rotary Club with 52 years of perfect attendance, and a recipient of the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris Award.  Mr. Catalano was a past President of the Former Fire Chiefs and a member of the Greenwich Red Men, the Orinoco Council 39 Knights of Columbus, the Ninth District Vets and the Greenwich Yacht Club. Tony also was an usher at Sacred Heart Church in Byram for many years.

Mr. Catalano loved trips to Cape Cod, enjoying his time there with his children and grandchildren. He loved his garden, golfing and also enjoyed watching the NY Giants and the NY Yankees. His work ethic, volunteer efforts and love of family will be remembered by all who knew him. 

Mr. Catalano is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Grace (Tropiano) Catalano; son Joseph (Susan), daughters Donna Stempien and Toni Jean (Bruno) Minichino, all of Greenwich; grandchildren Jessica Catalano, Alyssa (Brian) Ferenz, Krista (Michael) Pietrafeso, Tara (Robert) Harvey, Lindsay Minichino, A. J. Minichino, Michael Stempien and Sarah Stempien, and great-grandchildren Ella Pietrafeso, R.C. Harvey and Levi Ferenz. He also is survived by his brother Philip (Judy) Catalano and sisters, Ann D’Agostino and Martha Hoffman, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his brother Dominic Catalano and niece Flori Ann D’Agostino.

The family would like to thank Tony’s niece Marcie Husband for all her love, care and devotion to her uncle during his illness.

Visitation will be on Tuesday April 22, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Castiglione Funeral Home, 134 Hamilton Ave, Greenwich. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday April 23, at Sacred Heart Church, 95 Henry St. in Byram. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Rye Brook, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sacred Heart Church building fund, Sacred Heart Church, 95 Henry St., Greenwich, CT 06830 or Relay for Life of Greenwich.