CATALANO, BERNARD "BERNIE" J. 62, of Cumberland, passed away unexpectedly on November 18, 2013. He was the loving husband and high school sweetheart of Diane R. (Blais) Catalano. The two were married for 35 years. Born in Woonsocket, he was the only son of Yvette (Rouleau) and the late Francisco "Frank" Catalano. Besides his wife, he is survived by three children, Jason Catalano of Cranston, Lauren (Catalano) Pistorio and her husband Alexander Pistorio of Easton, MA, and Corinne Catalano of Malden, MA. Bernie grew up in Manville, RI where he was an active member in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the highest honor of Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy and Roger Williams College. Bernie was an active member in the Manville Volunteer Fire Department for many years. After years in the construction industry, he founded Catalano Construction, Inc. in 1989. For the past twenty-four years, he and his family have been devoted to the family business. He was a member of Local 57 Operating Engineers Union and the Rhode Island Builder's Association. Bernie enjoyed attending live concerts and vacationing on the beach with his wife Diane. He was an avid hockey enthusiast and loyal Patriots and Bruins fan. He was also a compassionate animal lover who enjoyed being surrounded by family pets. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, November 22, at 10:00 a.m. in Saint James Church, 33 Division Street, Manville. Burial will follow in Saint James Cemetery, Manville. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Thursday from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at BELLOWS FUNERAL CHAPEL, 160 River Road, Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory to the Providence Animal Rescue League, 34 Elbow Street, Providence, R. I. 02903, or the , P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA. 02241-7005, would be appreciated. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.
Published in The Providence Journal on Nov. 20, 2013
