Rocco M. ‘Roy’ Catalano, 93, formerly of Curwensville and most recently of Clearfield, died Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at the Penn Highlands Clearfield, Clearfield.
He was born Dec. 22, 1924 in Casamassima, Italy, a son of the late Michael and Rose Catalano.
He was employed at NARCO in Curwensville as a machinist until retiring in 1987.
He was a member of the St. Timothy Catholic Church, Curwensville, and most recently of the St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield.
He also belonged to the Curwensville and Clearfield Sons and Daughters of Italy Lodges; the Knights of Columbus Council No. 409, Clearfield; and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 842, Curwensville.
He enjoyed working in his garden and playing cards, especially pinochle. He was an excellent marksman and hunter. Most importantly, in years past, he enjoyed fishing with his sons and grandchildren.
He was a weapons specialist and served in the Third Army, 16th Armored Division, during World War II.
He is survived by his wife, Rose M. (Sturniolo) Catalano, to whom he was wed April 12, 1947 at the St. Francis Church, Clearfield.
He is survived by two sons, Michael John Catalano and his wife, Virginia of State College and John Catalano and his wife, Ruthann Ryan-Catalano of Clearfield; three grandchildren, Michael John Catalano Jr., Laura Pierce and Jennifer Virga; and eight great-grandchildren, Teah, Ella, Grant, Sebi, Rocco, Mikaela, Kamerin and Virgil Jr.
He is also survived by a sister and brother, Christine Prazinko and Angelo Catalano; two sisters-in-law, Sarah Campolong and Josie Rattien; three brothers-in-law, Frank, Vincent and Emery Sturniolo; and 27 nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister and brother, Antonette Hudson and Martin Catalano and two sisters-in-law, Joanna Sturniolo and Tina Mitchell.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Clearfield, with Msgr. Henry L. Krebs as celebrant.
Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Clearfield. Military honors will be accorded at the cemetery.
Friends will be received from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Kevin A. Beardsley Funeral Home, Clearfield.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Curwensville-Pike Township Historical Society for the Curwensville World War II Memorial, 240 State St., Curwensville, or to St. Timothy Catholic Church, Curwensville, 306 Walnut St., Curwensville.
To sign the online guestbook, go to www.beardsleyfuneralhome.com.
