Obituary for Richard E. Catanese
Richard E. Catanese
(September 26, 1930 – March 7, 2019)
Richard E. Catanese, a long-time resident of Harvard, Massachusetts, passed away on March 7th. He was 88 years old.
Rick grew up in Winchendon, Massachusetts and at a young age became a star athlete. He played baseball and football and was inducted into the Murdock High School Hall of Fame for his success in these sports.
At the age of 19, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served two years in the Korean War. He was a decorated veteran having earned a Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze services stars as well as a United Nations Service Medal. After returning from Korea, he worked as a truck driver to earn enough money to put himself through college. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
Rick married Constance Diamantopoulos in June 1961. The couple moved to Florida and started a family, but after a few years decided to return to Massachusetts to be closer to relatives. Rick began his career as a math teacher but eventually joined Raytheon Corporation in Lexington where he worked in financial systems for 33 years.
In 1972, Rick was involved, alongside his brother-in-law and other investors, in the founding of the Acton Tennis Club. The club quickly became a very popular venue for indoor and outdoor tennis in the region.
In his retirement years, Rick enjoyed spending time with his grandson who was a bright light in his life. He spent tireless hours playing baseball, hockey, touch football and card games with him, even though his eyesight was impaired after having suffered a stroke.
Rick was a very kind, caring and selfless man who was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He prioritized family over everything else in his life. His dry humor and witty one-liners often had his family laughing to tears.
Rick leaves his wife of 57 years, Constance, his daughter Steffani Lomax of Delray Beach, Florida, his daughter Celeste Catanese, son-in-law Ed Greenberg and grandson Justin of Westford, Massachusetts, his sister Beverly Camp of Princeton, Massachusetts, and was pre-deceased by his sister Betty Russell of Winchendon, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780 or online at https://www.hfotusa.org
(September 26, 1930 – March 7, 2019)
Richard E. Catanese, a long-time resident of Harvard, Massachusetts, passed away on March 7th. He was 88 years old.
Rick grew up in Winchendon, Massachusetts and at a young age became a star athlete. He played baseball and football and was inducted into the Murdock High School Hall of Fame for his success in these sports.
At the age of 19, he was drafted by the U.S. Army and served two years in the Korean War. He was a decorated veteran having earned a Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze services stars as well as a United Nations Service Medal. After returning from Korea, he worked as a truck driver to earn enough money to put himself through college. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.
Rick married Constance Diamantopoulos in June 1961. The couple moved to Florida and started a family, but after a few years decided to return to Massachusetts to be closer to relatives. Rick began his career as a math teacher but eventually joined Raytheon Corporation in Lexington where he worked in financial systems for 33 years.
In 1972, Rick was involved, alongside his brother-in-law and other investors, in the founding of the Acton Tennis Club. The club quickly became a very popular venue for indoor and outdoor tennis in the region.
In his retirement years, Rick enjoyed spending time with his grandson who was a bright light in his life. He spent tireless hours playing baseball, hockey, touch football and card games with him, even though his eyesight was impaired after having suffered a stroke.
Rick was a very kind, caring and selfless man who was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He prioritized family over everything else in his life. His dry humor and witty one-liners often had his family laughing to tears.
Rick leaves his wife of 57 years, Constance, his daughter Steffani Lomax of Delray Beach, Florida, his daughter Celeste Catanese, son-in-law Ed Greenberg and grandson Justin of Westford, Massachusetts, his sister Beverly Camp of Princeton, Massachusetts, and was pre-deceased by his sister Betty Russell of Winchendon, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Homes For Our Troops, 6 Main St., Taunton, MA 02780 or online at https://www.hfotusa.org