Ross CATANZARITE

27 DEC 1928 - 11 DEC 2021

• BIRTH: 27 DEC 1928, Mishawaka, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 11 DEC 2021, Memorial Hospital, South Bend, IN

• MARRIAGE: 2 MAY 1953, St Joseph County, IN

1. +Ross CATANZARITE
2.  Mark Anthony CATANZARITE

INDEX

[N30616] Ross A. Catanzarite
December 27th, 1928 - December 11, 2021

Ross A. Catanzarite, 92, formerly of Mishawaka, Indiana, passed away suddenly from COVID-19 complications on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at Memorial Hospital, South Bend, Indiana. Ross was born to Anna E. (Trimboli) and Antonio N. Catanzarite in Mishawaka, Indiana on December 27th, 1928. Ross graduated from Mishawaka High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army. In 1953, he married Joann E. (Oldfather-Montine) Catanzarite. They would have 4 children during their marriage. Ross was a talented tradesman and held a variety of jobs throughout his lifetime. He owned two Sinclair gas stations in downtown Mishawaka in the 1950’s. Later, he worked at Studebaker’s in South Bend, Rockwell, and Machinery Supply in Mishawaka. When the factory work began to fade away in the area, Ross went to Detroit and worked for Ford Motor Company at the Woodhaven Stamping Plant for over 27 years. He was a proud member of U.A.W. Local #387. When Ross’ life partner, Barbara Taylor, passed away, he made his way back home to Mishawaka where he cared for his aging parents until their deaths. Ross was a lifetime member of the S.S. Maria DiLoreto Club and spent many hours with friends and relatives supporting the Club on Division Street of which his Dad was a co-founder. Ross loved his family, was very generous, and was a friend to all. He was proud of his Italian-American heritage, enjoyed listening to Italian music, and socializing. One of Ross’ highlights of retirement was a family trip to Italy and to his father’s hometown of Plati, Reggio, Calabria, in 2011. Since 2016, Ross had primarily resided with his son Mark and his family and spent several months with his daughter Pam and her family, both in South Bend where many fond memories were made. Ross was preceded in death by his parents, former wife, Joann, son Ross Jr., son-in-law Bill Reinke, brother Joseph, sister-in-law Mary, and brother-in-law Alfio Piraccini. Ross is survived by his children, Anthony (Lupe Sowell), Pam Reinke, and Mark (Susan), 11 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild, sister, Bette Piraccini, brother, Frank (Kay), many nieces and nephews and a large extended family. The family would like to extend their thanks to the nurses, PCA’s, and physicians who cared for him over the course of the last 6 years. A special thanks to the staff, nurses, and activities coordinators at Milton Adult Day Services where Dad spent a couple days each week. Memorial contributions can be made in Ross’ honor to Milton Adult Day Services, 1151 South Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601, Riverbend Cancer Services, 3516 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615, or to the charity of your choosing. Due to the pandemic, the family requests that masks be worn both at the visitation and funeral mass. The family will receive visitors at the Palmer Funeral Home - Bubb Chapel, 3910 N. Main Street, Mishawaka on Wednesday, December 15 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 16 at St. Monica Catholic Church, 222 W. Mishawaka Avenue, Mishawaka, IN. Graveside services and burial will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. A celebration of life honoring Ross will be held at a later date once the pandemic subsides. Online condolences may be offered to the Catanzarite family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.
Posted online on December 13, 2021
Published in South Bend Tribune