Daniel V. Catena, Jr.

Daniel V. Catena, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2016. 

Dan was born to Daniel and Helen Catena on June 28, 1935 in Newark, NJ.  He is survived by Janet, his wife of 51 years, his daughter Bonnie of Montclair, NJ, and his son Daniel and daughter-in-law Lisa, with whom he resided for the past six years in Hazlet, NJ.  He was a loving, proud, and wonderful BaBa to his grandson Aidan.

Dan worked in the trucking industry until he retired in 1997.  He enjoyed playing softball, cooking, shopping, and the Yankees.  He played softball in several leagues until he was 65 years old.  His last years were filled with family, love, friends visiting, and the joy of being a BaBa.

Dan was able to see Bonnie start her own consulting business and watch it thrive.  He was also very proud of Dan’s recent promotion and to see his own business develop and thrive.  He was aware of Lisa at his side as she calmed him and played Tony Bennett for him. And he loved his son’s in-laws, the Zuars and the O’Donnells, for their kindness and generosity.

He was just an ordinary guy who loved his family and appreciated the little things in life. 

Janet wishes to thank Gentiva Hospice, Monmouth County Visiting Nurses Association, the Hazlet Police Department and First Aid Squad, every aide and nurse who cared for Dan over the past six years, and his friends, who never forgot him.  She especially wants to thank her sister Sheila, who devoted two years to caring for Dan and loving him, and, of course, our dear Harry, for being so very special.  Janet also wants to express her appreciation for her employer, Dr. Daniel Grossman, his family, and her coworkers for their kindness and concern for her and her family.

Family and friends are invited Monday, January 25, 2016, from 2-4 & 7-9PM, at Day Funeral Home, 361 Maple Place, Keyport, NJ  07735; and Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at St. Joseph RC Church, Keyport, for a 9:15AM Mass of Christian Burial.  Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Mausoleum, Keyport.  To post a condolence to the family or for directions to the funeral home, please visit www.dayfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in Dan’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association -- Greater New Jersey Chapter, 3 Eves Drive, Suite 310, Marlton, NJ 08053, www.alz.org/nj/in_my_community_donate.asp.

THE FAMILY RESPECTFULLY REQUESTS NO FLOWERS.  A DONATION TO THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION IN MEMORY OF THEIR BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER WOULD BE MORE APPRECIATIVE. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR KINDNESS.