Thinking of you Uncle Ronnie on this day . Miss you    Love Cher  your pumpkin

Thinking about all the great memories we share. Miss you 🐻

Fred, Barbara & Family,
Please accept my condolences on Ron’s passing. I know how much you all loved him and I’m glad you have such wonderful memories of your brother. May he Rest In Peace. 

R.I.P. cousin “cuz” Ronnie. I didn’t get to meet you until I was older and all that I knew about you was that you were my moms cousin. I just remember him sitting at the table at our house and I just thought, “He seems really cool”. I am shy but Ronnie had that ability to make you just feel comfortable. Ronnie lived very far from us but I was still able to talk to him via Facebook. He had such an outgoing, loving, and caring personality. I’m going to miss you. And I am so very sorry to Ronnies siblings, family, and friends. We all lost someone so special.

RIP to my life long friend, Ronnie Catana, as children we would play on Camac Street in South Philly, he fit in with the local kids being as tough as they were. As we grew we spent many a night at Dick Lee's in New Jersey and he would use his smile and dimple to lure the woman. 
Ronnie lived his life on his terms always being true to himself. He worked hard and partied hard. He loved his family especially his Nanny. 
I'm sure he is in heaven now with his mom and dad asking where his motorcycle is. Love you man, your cousin in law
Ron 

My Uncle Ronnie, was a favorite of mine . I am the “oldest” of the kids , and can remember listening to my Grandmoms radio on in the kitchen making Ravioli and sitting with my uncle playing with his bushy white and black beard!  I thought it was so cool ( and thought me might be Santa)   I was always greeted with a huge hug and a hi “princess”.  I remember him visiting me on his cycle when my EX and I lived in Woodstown , and him taking me for a ride! We rode just for an hour  but enjoyed every minute     When I used to come to visit my parents in Florida , it was so great eating dads cooking with my uncle sitting right next to me  and my sister on the other side  and him asking about my crAzy life experiences   I remember him saying “ we’re so much alike”  his crazy life and loves as well as me    I will always remember him as a big bad ass on the outside, but on the inside a loving, sweet man ❤️  I’ll cherish the many memories I had with him.   He’ll always be in my heart ❤️.  Love you uncle Ronnie 

My Uncle Ronnie was always larger than life, especially in my memory as a child.  He was the big man with the tattoos and he had the biggest and strongest hugs out of anyone I know.  As big and as strong as he was, as I remembered, he was a gentle spirit. He always called me baby doll.  He loved his family so very much.  I was always astonished and amazed when I would get the  news of a new diagnosis and battling back from all the medicines and treatments he endured.  He was definitely a fighter.  I am at peace knowing he is in God's Kingdom with his parents, aunts and uncles and Michelle and no longer in pain.  My Aunt Barbara and Uncle Ron took such meticulous care of him and I am so grateful of this.  I love you Uncle Ronnie and will miss you ❤️  Terry 

Being 12 years older than Ronny, there aren't many memories of
a young Ronny.  I remember when he was born he had a bronchial problem which became severe and my father rushed him to  Our Lady of Lourdes and on the way he coded.  Daddy sucked out the mucus and brought him back.  When released from the hospital, mommy wasn't happy with the bedside manner of his Pediatrician 
Dr. Repici.  She bundled us up and took us all to Nanny's where her old family doctor was waiting to check Ronny out.  He said Ronny needed expert care and suggested the best Pediatrician in South Jersey, Dr. Repici . Ronny recovered completely! Mommy changed her mind.  
When he was a toddler I was a teenager.  college, marriage, career which took us out of state for 15 years.  
Ronny and I became close when he moved to Florida.  We saw a lot of each other.  He enjoyed Sundays when we would sit and watch the ballgames with a couple of beers and pretzels.
He loved when I made his favorite, pasta & meatballs and a large tossed salad.  We sat around the kitchen table, Ronny, Michelle, Eileen and I.  He loved being around Michelle and she told him all about her activities.  Michelle loved her uncle Ronny. 
Ronny was a car nut & I helped him buy several cars from the dealership where I worked.  He remembered all the cars I Had (60 or so), and he liked to talk about his favorites.
        This continues...…..                        

Continued   Fred Catana memory.

it was difficult watching Ronny continue to have all these health problems.

He called me "Poppi".   I guess I was his father figure and I hurt inside so much seeing my brother (son) in pain and suffering going from doctor to doctor and hospital to hospital.  All those radiation and chemo sessions.     Ronny seemed to beat it all and I felt he would be whole again.   He would say, "I can't wait to eat your pasta and meatballs again".

Thank you Barbara, you became his everything.  You devoted the last several years totally to Ronny's wellbeing.  You and Ron are the best and we will always remember your devotion to our baby brother, Ronny. 

Ronny, we love you.  Now you are with mommy, daddy,  Michelle and your other relatives who were waiting for you  .
Love, Freddy 

RONNIE WAS THE BEST PERSON TO KNOW HE WAS LIKE PART OF OUR FAMILY ALWAYS INCLUDED IN EVERYTHING WITH US. ONE CHRISTMAS WE HAD SO MANY PEOPLE AT OUR HOUSE RONNIE HAD TO GO IN THE BATHROOM TO HAVE ROOM TO OPEN HIS PRESENTS. WE WERE LAST WITH RONNIE,WHEN HE CAME TO VIST US IN 2017 IN CAPE MAY NJ AND WE HAD ALL THE GUYS HE DROVE WITH PHIL,BARB,JOEY, JEN , DOM,AND DEBBIE SO THEY COULD RELIVE WAR STORYS OF THE JOBS THEY CHAUFFEUR  ON LIMO JOBS.  I STILL GO TO THE EYE DOCTOR RONNIE RECOMMENDED DR LANCIANO AND HIS SON RALPH FOR GLASSES. WE WILL MISS YOU AND THAT    POPPA BEAR GREETING. LOVE YOU
NINA & JOE

To my Uncle Ronnie- may you rest in peace and comfort. Your fortitude, in light of all your health challenges, was remarkable, and I'm grateful that you are no longer in pain. You were always so generous with us and our daughters.  Family holidays will not be the same without you. We will miss you so very much.
To my remarkable, steadfast Mom- the love, dedication, and care you bestowed on your brother during his time of greatest need was an inspiration to all of us. You are the most amazing and loving woman I've ever known. I love you, Mom. Love, Tammy, John, Veronica and Daphne

Wishing the family sympathy in your loss. I remember the few times I met Ronnie at Barbara’s house during parties, and he was always so warm and loving. He would be interested in anything at all to talk about, especially his favorite dog! He was a fun hearted person. Barbara, I know how deeply you loved him, how loyal you were, and how hard you fought for him. May your memories comfort you. 

We grew up in a family of musicians on the Catana side.  Our father, our uncle, our older brother Fred, our cousins.  They played a variety of instruments.  It was often they marched in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel band in parades and feasts of saints.  I took piano for several years.  Ronnie liked the drums!  Our mom always had the radio on.  All kinds of music.  Records.  From Xavier Cugat to favorite tenor Mario Lanza.  Elvis to polka.  We listened to it all.   Ronnie loved music.  He likewise was always tuned in to the radio.  He mostly liked old ballad singers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  He loved romantic country songs.  And at my house for the last three months of his life, he had the radio on 24 hours set to 88.9 classical.  He loved to pick out what instruments were playing.  He reported the weather to me every day and what celebrities may have died.  We would discuss their lives and fame.  He was very interested in "Audubon moments" highlighting the facts about one bird or another.   "Isn't that neat!" he would say.  He hated seeing any kind of cruelty to animals.  And when he saw baby creatures, he could not help saying, "how cute!"  My quirky little brother wanted to be understood and loved.  He wanted to feel proud of his accomplishments.  Don't we all?  As much as I told him how successful and blessed he was, he doubted it.  I assured him I would never desert him.  In the end, he wanted mom's forgiveness and called for her to take him away to peace and no pain.  Ronnie was the bravest man I know.  He faced every health issue head on.  "Just put me out, doc," he would say.  "I don't want to feel nothin."   Although Ronnie had many excellent caring doctors, in the last weeks the only doctor he mentioned with much fondness was Dr. Erim, the gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic Weston.  Dr. Erim called me today to express his condolences.

Freddy, Eileen, Barbara, Ron and Family,
So sorry to hear the passing of Ronnie. My condolences and prayers. Ronnie was a gentle kind person. I have many fond memories of Ronnie growing up. We sure liked to get into trouble when all the cousins got together. 
R.I.P.  Ronnie..  please say hello to all the family up there.
Tom and Carole


Ronnie was a one of a kind ! As many have mentioned his heart was  gold .
If Ronnie thought he was helping someone his day was complete . I don't 
Remember If I called him Baby Bear first or if he called me Papa Bear first but that is how we rolled . I would only hope to be so brave if faced with some of the challenges he walked through head strong . In the end , " the pain that he lived in was almost more than living should allow "
R.I.P. Baby Bear !

Fred, Eileen, Barbara And Ron,
My deepest condolences on the passing of Ronnie.  You all have another loved one in heaven watching over all of you.

I have known Ron for about 10 years.  The first time was when he applied for a job at the FDOT where I worked.  He was a candidate with excellent qualifications so the FDOT had a position for him. After sometime he would come to my office and we would chat and I got to know him better.  He was a caring individual always trying to help where he was needed, even on his days off.  He worked at Lowe's and always willing to go that extra mile to help a customer find what they needed.  After a while I invited him to meet my friends and come to our functions so he wouldn't be alone for the holidays. He would smile and laugh and he knew he was welcomed with open arms.   He also enjoyed getting up early in the mornings to drive kids and their families to the Shriner's Hospital for treatment and then back home.  At times he and I would talk on the phone about things going on but we always left the conversation with a smile.  I will miss him but know he is in a better place with God and no more pain! RIP Ron

I knew Ron through Lynne Cohen, they worked together for the DOT for many moons...He was a guy that opened his heart to those he trusted, and as Lynne began to get to know Ron, they became friends and she learned he was missing a sense of belonging...so she invited him in to our circle...Through the years he became part of our spiritual family, we at REACH for Spiritual Awakening, gather for the holidays, cook, eat, and share, often a new person will be with us, so that no one should be alone during the holidays...Ron showed up to quite a few of our gatherings through the years, sometimes he'd hardly say a word, but other times he'd joke and laugh and we got to know a sweet side of him that he didn't always show everyone...he was present. He was glad to be with us, and we were glad to have him with us. My son Johnathan also liked him very much, he's now 8, almost 9. I have a fond memory of one Christmas/New Year gathering where he gave J a very cool Hess vehicle with a little motorcycle in the back...That put Ron on the 'super cool guy list' for sure. J still treasurers it today...I know he gifted that from his personal collection... we had a special relationship with Ron. That was probably 3 or 4 years ago. ..Thus, although we didn't see each other all too often-especially in the end, we did have one last gathering in  Ft. Lauderdale, about 20 of us, to celebrate Susan's birthday at Catfish Dewey's. Ron was in remission. It was so nice to see him walking...That was the last time we saw him. So today I am taking some comfort knowing that now he can walk without that walker, can breathe and speak easily, free of pain. Rest easy brother Ron, we know you're with God and feeling good...thanks for the memories! I'm sure you and your dog are having fun up there! God's blessings to you and all of your family and friends while we mourning your passing. 

Ron,  you are a very special person, you would go out of your way to help others.  I will miss the way your  faith was so strong. You Loved your family and Friends,  and  shared the way you felt about them. Ron always made me feel that I am special and loved. 
Ron did so much for the kids that he sponsored through the Shriner's. He did so much for others, drove people to hospitals that needed treatments. 
Ron, you will be missed, and now you are in Heaven, and no longer in pain. R.I.P.  I love you`

Bear I want to thank you for all of the Amazing memories we share. You always made me smile. I'm going to miss our talks and texts. You are always in my heart. 

Cousin Ronnie,
Always visited us in Key West. He would escort our daughter Courtney Catana, on the airplane and bring her safely to us.
One day , when we were getting Courtney ready to go back to Philly from Key West, she said, "just how long did you hire my body guard for, until I am 16?" she was only 6 at the time. LOL!!
Ronnie would wear his black suit, and yes, he looked like a very strong body guard. He would give huge bear hugs, and had a contagious laugh. He would say , "Babe" and that would stand for everything. We will miss you Ronnie, so much and those dimples and smile.  So Babe, Rest in Peace and Go Soar with the Angels!!
Love , your cuz's, Robert, Elizabeth, lizaJane & Courtney too xoxo

This great picture of Ronnie you have chosen is how we remember him.  Even though we didn’t get together that often later in life, when we did he showed his love for family. His smile, with those dimples,  always put a smile on your own face.
Ronnie will always be a happy and loving memory in our lives and God has open arms to welcome him.
Rest In Peace Ronnie.

OBITUARY

Ronald "Ronnie" Catana

February 26, 1954 – May 31, 2020

Aycock Funeral and Cremation Center

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