Joe was born on July 11, 1934, in Lake Village, Arkansas to Antonio Dravio Catalani and Ida Lucia Floriani. He grew up on the family farm with his four siblings and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, in all, 22 living in the same house. This is where his love of family and his Catholic faith was rooted. This is also where his love of fishing began on Lake Chicot.
He graduated from Lakeside High School in 1953 then enlisted in the US Marine Corp. He was stationed at Camp Nara, Japan and Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1958 and became a member of the Army National Guard of Arkansas.
He had a fulfilling 34-year career in Civil Service for the Federal Government as a firefighter, retiring in October 1988 as the Assistant Fire Chief at NAS Pensacola. He was stationed at Meridian NAS, Pensacola NAS and Rota, Spain.
Joe married Marietta Rhein in 1959, and they had three children. He was an active member of Little Flower Catholic Church, joining the parish in 1974. He served on the Finance Committee and was a Eucharistic Minister. Joe was a devout Catholic who lived his life putting God and family first.
He is preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his sister Gloria Britton, two brothers Pete Catalani and John August Catalani and two brothers-in-law who were more like brothers, Sollie Rhein and Sam (Bo) Hubbard.
Survivors include his children: Joseph F. Catalani, Jr. (Allison), Angela Alberda, Sam Catalani (Michelle); grandchildren: Tyler Catalani (Laura), Amanda Alberda (Jo), Chelsea Alberda, Daniel Alberda, Anthony Alberda, Connor Catalani, Cooper Catalani, Olivia Catalani and great-grandchildren: Isabelle Alberda, Eleanor, Harper and James Catalani, his sister, Patricia Hubbard and many nieces and nephews.
A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Ascension Sacred Heart Hospital and Vitas Hospice.
Friends and family are cordially invited to a visitation with the family at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM on Sunday, November 24, 2024. A Rosary will be said at 5:15 PM.
A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM on November 25, 2024 at Little Flower Catholic Church with Bishop Martin D. Holley as the Celebrant and Rev. Jack Campbell as the Concelebrant.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Little Flower Catholic Church, 6495 Lillian Hwy., Pensacola, FL 32506.
Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
