Anthony was a US Army Veteran of WWII who Served with the 94th Infantry Division in Europe.

Times Union, The (Albany, NY) - Friday, January 25, 2002

WATERFORD -- Anthony J. 'Ben' Catallo , 88, of Washington Ave., died Wednesday, January 23, 2002 at his residence surrounded by his family. A lifelong Waterford resident, he was son of the late Orazio and Loreta Villa Catallo . Tony was employed by the Cluett & Peabody Co. having worked for 38 years in the Waterford bleachery serving as department foreman and assistant to the general manager. He then transferred to the main office in Troy where he was district personnel manager for eight years, retiring in 1978. Mr. Catallo was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations with the 376th Infantry, 94th Division. He was a graduate of Officers Candidate School at Washington and Lee University, and achieved the rank of captain. He also attended the Army Athletic Staff School in Paris, France. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with four Stars, the Combat Infantry Badge and the NY State Conspicuous Service Medal. He received the Regimental Commendation for outstanding service as athletic officer during the 94th Infantry Olympics held at Dusseldorf, Germany in June of 1945. He held political office in the Village of Waterford for 28 years, serving as assessor, trustee and 11 years as village mayor. He was named a Waterford Village Patroon in 1984. He was a graduate of Waterford High School and was a member of the Soccer, Basketball and Baseball Championship teams of 1931-32. He was inducted into the Waterford-Halfmoon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988. He played basketball in the Troy area Industrial League and baseball and basketball with the Greater Troy Area League. He was a member and past commander and adjutant of the Italian American War Veterans, a member of the American Legion, Charles J. Brady Post in Waterford and the 94th Infantry Division Association and a former member of the Waterford Memorial Post 5800 of the VFW. In addition, Tony was a member of the Waterford Bocci League and Waterford Senior Citizens and is an exempt member of the Kavanaugh Hook and Ladder Co. A communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church, he served as lector and lector coordinator for several years and was a division leader during the campaign to raise funds for the building of St. Mary's School. He was active in the Waterford Council 237 of the Knights of Columbus; he was a Past Grand Knight having served two terms and former district deputy and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees. In 1995 he was named Knight of the Year and in 1999 he was honored as having the greatest number of years of continuous service, having been a member since 1935. Several years ago he was instrumental in having a monument erected at St. Mary's Cemetery in memory of the unborn children. He is also a member of the Father VanRensselaer Chapter of the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus. He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Esther Bruski Catallo . Also, his devoted children, Toni C. Opitz and her husband, John of Rexford, David M. Catallo of Waterford and Vicky C. Marchand and her husband, Chris of Waterford. He is the respected brother of Lena E. Decker of Clifton Park, Feody (Edward) Catallo of Valley Center, CA, David A. Catallo , Walter C. Catallo , Anne B. Gabriel, all of Waterford, the late Merico Catallo , Elizabeth LaFond and Guerino Catallo . He is the cherished grandfather of Justin M. Opitz of Dallas, TX, Jessica M. Opitz of Albany, Christopher A. and Jivon V. Marchand of Waterford. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Funeral services will be Monday at 9 a.m. from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad St. (Rt. 32), Waterford and at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Waterford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home Sunday, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Saratoga County or the Restoration Fund at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in care of the funeral home office.

Memo: Published As A Paid Obituary
Edition: THREE STAR
Section: CAPITAL REGION
Page: B6
Index Terms: OBITUARY
Record Number: 0125020067