21° and Clear
Image
Franklin's Robert R. Catalano, who passed away at 101, on February 12, 2024 was remembered yesterday at a grave-side gathering in the St. Mary's Cemetery on the second anniversary of his passing. The event was attended by more than 20 veterans, friends, and family.
Born on October 28, 1922 the youngest son of Fortunato and Pasqualina (Grosso) Catalano, Robert was a lifelong Franklin resident. He was a graduate of Franklin High School Class of 1940 and then worked as a welder at the Quincy Shipyard until enlisting in the U.S. Navy where he was sent to the Pacific Theater as an Underwater Welding Specialist. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal and the Unit #2205 Commendation.
After the war, he took advantage of the GI Bill graduating from Boston College in 1950 and then working in the Human Resources department at General Motors for 38 years, from 1953 to 1991.
Catalano was a lifetime member of the Franklin V.F.W. Post 3402, the Franklin American Legion Post 75 and colleagues from both organizations were the biggest group in attendance Thursday, including bugler Randy LaRosa who played taps.
Several offered fond memories of Catalano and one veteran of Vietnam said that Catalano had been extremely helpful to him when he faced a dark period in his life. Several others at the event shared similar experiences of Catalano as a friend, mentor, and always as a positive presence.
Then there was the story about Catalano's housefire, a dozen or more years back, at the address he called home for his entire life. Legionnaire John Milot happened to drive by and noticed the, as yet, unreported flames coming from Catalano's house, stopped, and ran in to alert him. According to the story teller, Catalano was willing to evacuate but not before retrieving his suit, because he was scheduled to serve as a church usher in an hour or so. Indeed, Catalano, as a lifelong communicant of St. Mary’s Parish served as the Head Usher for 40 years, finally retiring at age 97.
So, after some argument, Milot agreed to wait for Catalano to retrieve his garments so that he could shuttle from his house-on-fire to his duties at the parish!
Thursday, Catalano's, grand nephew Paul Molla, currently the deputy fire chief in Medway, was one of several relatives in attendance. He joined in offering praise of his uncle and also thanked the veterans for organizing the event, which lasted for nearly half an hour.
