Romie C. Catalano

Romie C. Catalano, 88, of 130 Sunrise Acres, Emporium, PA passed away on Thursday, September17, 2015 at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, PA, after a brief illness.

Born July 27, 1927 in St. Marys, PA, he was the son of the late Anthony and Ines Catalano. On July 16, 1950, he married Rita T. Hornung Catalano at St. Mark Roman Catholic Church.

Romie enlisted in the US Navy during World War II and was a machine-gunner aboard the USS Killen. His enlistment ended with his hospitalization after the Killen came under attack on October 26, 1944, during The Battle of Leyte Gulf, which was known as the largest Battle of the Philippine Sea and is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II.

After his time in World War II, Romie worked for Sylvania for many years in Emporium and Cornwall, Ontario. In 1978 he established R.C. Catalano & Associates in which he specialized in the sale of presses for the powdered metal industry in Pennsylvania.

He was a member of St. Mark Roman Catholic Church of Emporium. He also was deeply committed to his work and donations to “Food for the Poor” and “Feed the Children” to end starvation worldwide.

He was an accomplished artist, avid tennis player and sportsman and enjoyed his life in the mountains of Cameron and Elk Counties. What he enjoyed most was to be surrounded by his wife, children, grandchildren and extended family.

Surviving are his wife, Rita T. Catalano, of Emporium, PA and four children,

Michael W. Catalano of Emporium, PA,

Jeffrey A. Catalano of Clearfield, PA,

Susan R. Catalano of Elizabethtown, PA and

Nancy Catalano Dill of Emporium, PA;

 five grandchildren: Angela D. Catalano Rutz (John) of Emporium,

 Israel M. Catalano of Lexington Park, MD,

Anthony J. Catalano (Mandy) of Emporium, PA,

Patrick C. Catalano (Alexandra) of Emporium, PA and

 Duncan J. Catalano of Emporium, PA;

three great-grandchildren Max Catalano, Jenna Frank and Taylor Frank all of Emporium.

 

  He is also survived by two sisters, Julie (Bill) Kinzel of Ann Arbor, MI and

Marley Catalano of Angelica, NY.

He was preceded in death by brothers, John, Frank, Octavio, Albert and Joseph Catalano;

sisters, Caroline Erlanson and Lena Weichman and one sister at birth, Nunzia Catalano.

Friends and family will be received on Monday, September 21, 2015 at the Barnett Funeral Home in Emporium from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark Roman Catholic Church in Emporium, PA, with Rev. James C. Campbell as celebrant. Military Honors will be accorded by the Cameron County Memorial Detail.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Legion/VFW Memorial Park Fund in Emporium, PA or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Barnett Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements