Charles Catania Obituary

Rita: I was very sorry to hear of Charles death. I would have been at the wake but Marie & I were on vacation that week. It's ironic but just before we left for vacation I was thinking that I have to call Charles to invite him to have lunch with a group of retired salesman who get together every once in a while. Charles knew all these people from his time at Cook County Hospital & Chicago BOH.

My fondest memory of Charles occurred when Charles was in between jobs & knowing he was handy I asked him if he could give me some help repairing my front door. Also in an effort to let him make some needed money. As Charles was repairing my door my daughter's piano teacher, a sweet older lady driving a big Cadilac, backed into the side of his small automobile. Here is a guy trying to help a friend and make some much needed cash, which I had to force him to take, and it wound up costing him money for insurance deductable. Just to show you no good deed goes unpunished. We had many laughs about that incident later. Charles was always willing to help someone. I will miss him and pray that he being rewarded for all his good deeds.

May it comfort you know that many people are praying for you and your family. I have known Charles for over twelve years, we worked together on several public health projects that focussed on children. He was a man of integrity and principles that was never afraid to speak his mind. He will truely be missed.



May God continue to bless and comfort you and your family during.



Barbara

I was so sorry to hear that Charlie had died. My sister told me she had read of his death in the paper a few days after he was buried. I last saw Charlie at my father's funeral a few years back. I'll always remember our summer days working at Old Dutch. He will be in my prayers.

Dear Patrick,



I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your brother, Charles. I remember meeting him at your and Jean's wedding--a little over 20 years ago now--and I remember how he came up and introduced himself to me and was so very friendly. I regret that I am not in town and was not able to come by and pay my respects to you and the rest of your brothers and sisters; I know how devastating it is to lose a sibling. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you today.

Dear Patrick & Family: I am very sorry to hear about your brother Charles. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Remember that in this difficult time, the wonderful memories of your brother and the time you shared together, will help you deal with the pain and sorrow. May god bless you and all your family. Maria

I had occasion to know and work with Charles during the early years of the DCFS Healthworks Project. I enjoyed his insights as well as his wit and ability to speak his mind. Although I have not seen him in the last few years, he remains one of my personal heros. My heartfelt sympathies to his family.

Patrick & Jean and family,

My deepest sympathy on your loss. I had the pleasure of meeting Charles on many occasions and I have the fondest memories of him. What always struck me most was the great love that was so apparent when you two brothers were together. I am so sorry for your loss and I will keep you and your beautiful family in my prayers.

Patrick,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I realize that I haven't spoken to you in a long while, but wanted to extend my condolences to you during this difficult time. God bless, and may your brother Charles rest in peace.

Bridget

To all of Charlie's brothers, sisters, extended family and, especially, Rita and the boys:



I first met Charlie @ 1976 hanging out at the pubs on Western Ave. I had recently returned home from college and he had finished up his Master's at Loyola and we had both begun getting our feet wet working in the real world. I had a small apartment and didn't bother to own a television, so during the '77 football season Charlie and I watched all the Bear's games at the big house on Damen. 'Da Bears' made the playoffs that year and when it came time for Bob Thomas to kick the game-winning field goal in over-time against the Giants in the last game of the season in New York, Charlie was in the basement doing god-only-knows-what and, in spite of my very loud efforts to get him to get upstairs, HE MISSED THE MOMENT! I had a lot of fun at his expense over that one for a while.

I have many other memories with Charlie over the next couple of years before we drifted along our separate ways. He was just in my thoughts a few days ago. Maybe his way of reaching out to this old, long lost friend on his way out of this life?

My sincere best wishes to all of you.

Peace,

Jim Cunningham

Patrick and Family-



With heart-felt sympathy, I am truly sorry for the loss of your love one. Know that God will carry you during this time.

How do you describe an angel? Starting with a description of Charles and Rita, and adding a good dollop of Jim and Bernie and their wives would put you on a good track toward success. There are not enough good words to say thank you for the selflessness and giving that the Hamilton Bell leadership has given to the Children of this country. We shall always be greatful for the copious amount of time that all of you spent with us, and we only hope and pray that we can continue to work together in Charles' memory to carry on our missions together, after all we are all dedicated to the same thing. We love you all. Rita, he is still the wind beneath your wings, and all of ours.



With great love and affection,

Dick and Nancy

Charles was very special to me. We first began spending a lot of time together while he lived with mom and we both did our best to keep up the house and to insure, as everyone did, that she was comfortable and reasonably happy. As with mom, Charles was most happy when family were around. The more the better...the bigger the party or the event, the better. My most memorable times with him span from the couple of trips we took together to the Caribbean, all the way to having a cigar on his front porch. He is an inspiration to my children, to me and my wife, and to most everyone whose life he touched. He will be sorely missed.

This message of sympathy is extended to the family but especially to Susan (my high school student and editor of the McAuley newspaper) and Frank (my Loyola University colleague.) Your brother must have been a wonderful person. You have many precious memories. Jean and Tim Unsworth

To the Catania family:



I knew Chuck as a kid in the early '60's. I played little league baseball with him in Longwood Manor. I never saw him after those days, but, because of his friendly nature, Chuck was the type of person that still came to mind years later. I remember him as a really nice kid with a very supportive family. I just wanted to pay my respects and offer my condolences and prayers to all of you. God bless you all in this difficult time.

Sympathy and prayers to big brother, Frank, at the loss of his somewhat younger brother, Charles. May he be with the Lord, and may the Holy Faith we share be your comfort and consolation and that of his obviously great family.

There are many kudos and accolades we could offer about Charlie, our brother, but one attribute simply stands out ---Charles is the most generous human being we have ever known. We could describe some of the times when he has literally given the shirt off of his back, but one memory stands out because it was so bittersweet.



In early 1979, one of Sue's colleagues in the State legislature invited us to spend a week in his Jamaica home. We needed someone we trusted implicitly to care for our seven children and we implored Charlie to stay with them while we were gone, the youngest just over a year old and the oldest 14. We convinced him that the older ones would care for the younger and most of them would be in school or day care all day. Being who he is naturally he agreed. We left on Thursday the 11th of January and made it to Jamaica without incident. On Friday the 12th, snow began to fall and didn't stop until over 20 inches had fallen on top of an existing base of 10 inches. Needless to say, all the Chicago schools were closed all week and so were supermarkets. Charles was the sole caretaker for 7 severely cabin fevered children, who, one by one, developed the flu! Even though he was a bit frazzled by the end of the week and moaned that he had not signed on for the reality that struck, he says he was glad that he had the opportunity and experience.



You might remember that Bilandic, the then mayor, went down in flames because of that snow, but Charlie had a pretend statue erected in his honor by the children.



Amazingly, he agreed after that experience to be campaign manager for Sue's statewide run for Lieutenant Governor. Charles --- the most generous person we know --- you will be lovingly missed by any who knew you, but especially the snowbound 7.



To Rita and all of Charles children and grandchildren our deepest heartfelt condolences.

ISABEL, HI! I saw your brother's (?)name and yours and Frank's. A voice from the past! I owuld love to hear from you. Email ([email protected]) or phone - (847_945-6850. Sorry about your loss.