Rocco J. Catanese

Rocco J. Catanese of Estero FL passed away on Saturday, May 14, 2022. Born on May 20, 1928, in New Brunswick, NJ, to parents Giuseppe and Francesca (Sgro) Catanese, Rocco remained a resident of New Brunswick until his retirement, becoming a snowbird spending summers in Monroe Township, NJ and winters in Estero, FL. Rocco was a full-time resident of Estero at the time of his death. Rocco was a Class of 1947 graduate of New Brunswick High School. After graduation he went on to work as a Sheet Metal Worker, eventually joining Local Union #20. In April of 1956 Rocco married Josephine Bruno, also of New Brunswick, and together they raised their children, Fran and Joe, in the house that Rocco designed himself and built with the help of family and a few contractors. Not one to sit still very long, Rocco quickly involved himself with the New Brunswick Knights of Columbus Council 257, where he was a member and Past Grand Knight, the New Brunswick Elks 324 where he was a member and Past Exalted Ruler, the Sheet Metal Local Union where he was first elected as Secretary then President for two terms before taking on the roles of Funds Administrator and Trustee. He retired from the union in 1990 with over 40 years of service. Rocco served the City of New Brunswick proudly beginning in 1974 when he was first elected to the City Council. He served on the council for almost 16 years before becoming the New Brunswick City Clerk for three years before his retirement in 1993. As a member of the council, he served as liaison to the Planning Board and served as Council President for three two-year terms. He was very proud of his community involvement and the accomplishments he achieved in his service to his co-workers in the union and the residents of New Brunswick. Throughout his life Rocco enjoyed traveling, having traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. He and Josephine always found ways to provide great family vacations to the islands, or by driving cross country, but most importantly they introduced multiple generations to the joys of Ocean City, NJ where at least two weeks every summer the Catanese, Bruno, Savoca, and Santisi clans would gather to share the best of times centered around food, fun and sun. His last and maybe the best big vacation was when he and Josephine were able to travel to Italy with their children and grandchildren and Rocco was able to visit his parents’ village of San Pier Niceto, Sicily. Rocco always felt that it was important to remember where you came from and he placed great value on his family and was of the firm belief that family came first above all else. He was extremely proud of his children and grandchildren and was always quick to acknowledge all of their accomplishments. Rocco was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Josephine (Bruno) Catanese; his parents Giuseppe and Francesca Catanese; sisters Grace, Frances Venute (Louis) and Rose Santisi (Felix); brothers Joseph and Peter (Barbara); and niece Frances Rose Venute. Rocco is survived by his daughter, Fran Turowetz (Ron); son, Joe (Maria) Catanese; grandchildren, Rocco J. Catanese II, Lauren Turowetz Lamb (Tyler), Samantha R. Catanese, Julianne Turowetz, and Matt Turowetz; former daughter-in-law, Marie Grott Catanese; and many nieces, nephews and their spouses, great nieces and nephews and their spouses, and great-great nieces and nephews. Friends and family are invited to celebrate Rocco’s life and share memories with the family on June 22, 2022, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gleason Funeral Home, 1360 Hamilton Street, Somerset, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Parish of the Visitation (St. Mary’s Church), 192 Sandford Street, New Brunswick, NJ on June 23, 2022 at 10:30 AM. In lieu of flowers Rocco would prefer that donations be made to the Parish of the Visitation (St. Mary’s Church), 192 Sandford Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 or the Central Jersey Spinal Cord Association (CJSCA), P.O. Box 74, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. To sign Rocco’s guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned and Operated since 1978.

Rocco J. Catanese

May 20, 1928 - May 14, 2022