Obituary of Charles R. Catalano

Charles R. Catalano, 79 of Byram Township, NJ passed away after a very courageous battle with a long illness on Wednesday, September 12, 2018.

Born in Greenwood Lake, NY on February 15, 1939 to the late Charles Catalano and the late Dorothy (Lanterman) Catalano. Charlie lived in Byram for 55 years. Shortly after graduating from Blairstown HS in 1957 and briefly attending the University of Miami, Charlie joined the United States Air Force and proudly served from 1959 to 1963.

After his honorable discharge from the United States Air Force, Charlie became a New Jersey State Trooper until he retired in 1984. For many years he held positions at Waterloo Village as Concert Director and Head of Security. In 1994 he began his second career in law enforcement in Sussex County where he retired in 2014 as the Chief of Detectives. Charlie most enjoyed spending time with his family, he also enjoyed vacations in LBI, hunting, playing bluegrass music on the banjo and cooking large family meals.

Charlie is survived by his dear wife of 57 years, Mae (Giordano); his devoted children, Kathleen (Robert Vetter), of Newton, Charles, Stacey (Eugene Fluri), Colleen (Paul Voitek) all of Blairstown, Mary (Michael Matullo) of Green, Stephen (Kris) of Byram. He is also survived by his adored grandchildren who lovingly called him "Pop Pop", Aimee, Brooke, Gabrielle, Isabella DiBernard, Victoria, Nicholas, Sophia, Anthony Catalano, Nico, Gino, Lia, Angelo Fluri, Dominique, Natalia, Joseph, Elaina, Karina Voitek, Noelle, Nina, Celia, Grace Matullo, Faith, Hope and Joy Catalano and his nieces, nephews and dear friends. Additional survivors include his brother, Michael (Kathy) and brother in law, Dave Smith and he is predeceased by his sister, Susan (2013).

Charlie's Life Celebration will include a funeral mass on Monday, September 17 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of the Lake Parish, 294 S. Sparta Avenue, Sparta, NJ. Family and friends are invited to meet directly at the church on Monday morning at 11:00 am. Charles will be laid to rest at the Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 75 North Church Road, Sparta, NJ immediately following the funeral mass. All services are entrusted to the Leber-Lakeside Funeral Home of Landing, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in memory of Charles may be made to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation please visit: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/PFFTribute/CharlesCatalano