Obituary of Donald Joseph Catanese

Donald J. Catanese, 86, of East Rockaway, NY passed peacefully on March 19, 2025. Predeceased by his devoted wife of 43 years, Kathy, he had many loved ones in his life including his daughter Karen Werley, along with her husband Troy, his son Chris, grandchildren Bryn, Emmett, and Luka, his sister Ann Glynn, many nieces and nephews and his dear, dear friend and partner, Ann Barbieri.

Born in Lynbrook, NY, Don was a proud graduate of Lynbrook High School and Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmittsburg, MD where he enjoyed his four years (perhaps a little too much!) and always had a story (or two or three!) to share about his scholarly and not-as-scholarly pursuits. For example, the time when he and his friends decided that they were in the south so they took it upon themselves to make the pine trees look more like palm trees by removing all of the lower branches. Truly a bit of a miracle that he successfully made it through all four years!

After college, Don served in the U.S. Army as part of the 7^th Cavalry and would often share stories of his time in Thule, Greenland at the 4^th Missile Battalion Nike-Hercules Air Base where he served as Battery Clerk. It’s been said that he was initially going to be stationed somewhere in the U.S. on the east coast but, after missing a fly ball while playing outfield for his base’s softball team, he found himself with new orders the next day and on a plane to Greenland!

Professionally, Don worked in investment banking spending the bulk of his career as a Vice President with Paine Webber and trekking into Manhattan for 35+ years. He could be seen each day walking to and from the LIRR wearing his suit with a newspaper tucked under his arm. And likely a ham sandwich in his pocket for lunch. It was while he was working early in his financial career that he met Kathy – a bright-eyed, beautiful secretary from Queens who could type up a storm! They were married in 1966 and shared a beautiful life together while raising their children, Karen and Chris.

An avid lifelong sports follower, Don was initially a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan although, after the Dodgers defected to the west coast, he endured many years as a Mets fan but, his devotion never wavered, always holding out hope for the next season. And, if that wasn’t enough pain, he was also a NY Jets season ticket holder for many years though what he really loved about going to see the Jets play was the time spent at each game with his close friends.

Don will be missed for his infectious laugh, his sense of humor and his kind heart, among many other reasons.