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Simone "Sandy" Catalano of Bohemia, a longtime
volunteer boys bowling coach at East Islip High School, died early Sunday morning at Stony Brook University Medical Center. He was 63.
Catalano had been in the medical center for two weeks after he was diagnosed with acute leukemia.
"He was a volunteer coach in our program for more than 15 years and gave the kids so much," said Pete Blieberg, athletic director at East Islip High School. "He was a super guy and loved by all of the kids. He gave so much time to the program and never asked for anything in return."
Catalano owned CLS Custom Upholsterers in Bohemia for the past 32 years. When he wasn't running his business, he would spend his leisure time assisting his best friend, East Islip head coach Rick Papandrea, build the Redmen bowling team into perennial champions. East Islip earned the state boys bowling championship in 2008.
"Sandy helped me build this program from a regular varsity bowling team to a powerhouse and winning the state championship together made us so proud," Papandrea said. "He is loved by hundreds of boys and girls who've gone through the East Islip program. He was so generous, many times donating his old bowling balls and buying them new equipment."
When Catalano became ill, the East Islip bowlers videotaped the league and county tournament so he could watch the events in his hospital bed. They sent him personal messages on the video to convey their thoughts and well wishes.
"He went into the hospital before the league tournament and the kids wanted to reach out and show him he was missed," Papandrea said. "He saw the tape and loved it. But he got sick fast and they had to put him in a drug-induced coma and that was it. It's a really heartbreaking loss."
Catalano graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965 and later joined the Army, serving in Vietnam until 1969. According to Papandrea, he was part of a military intelligence unit.
"He was a great friend," Papandrea said. "He was unbelievably patient with our kids and he taught them about life."
Papandrea, who was on the professional bowlers tour for four years, credited Catalano with his rise on the tour. Catalano, a former Pro Bowlers Association member, bowled 24 perfect games of 300.
He is survived by his wife, Regina of Bohemia, daughter Simone Catalano of Bohemia, sons Michael of Holtsville and Patrick of Bohemia, daughter-in-law Dawn and grandson Joseph. He is also survived by three brothers - James, Leonard and Raymond, all of Bohemia.
Viewing will take place today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Moloney Funeral Home, 1320 Lakeland Ave., Bohemia. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:45 a.m. Thursday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Bohemia followed by burial at St. Lawrence the Martyr Cemetery in Sayville.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Sandy Catalano Scholarship Fund at 17 E. Main St., East Islip, NY 11730.
Catalano had been in the medical center for two weeks after he was diagnosed with acute leukemia.
"He was a volunteer coach in our program for more than 15 years and gave the kids so much," said Pete Blieberg, athletic director at East Islip High School. "He was a super guy and loved by all of the kids. He gave so much time to the program and never asked for anything in return."
Catalano owned CLS Custom Upholsterers in Bohemia for the past 32 years. When he wasn't running his business, he would spend his leisure time assisting his best friend, East Islip head coach Rick Papandrea, build the Redmen bowling team into perennial champions. East Islip earned the state boys bowling championship in 2008.
"Sandy helped me build this program from a regular varsity bowling team to a powerhouse and winning the state championship together made us so proud," Papandrea said. "He is loved by hundreds of boys and girls who've gone through the East Islip program. He was so generous, many times donating his old bowling balls and buying them new equipment."
When Catalano became ill, the East Islip bowlers videotaped the league and county tournament so he could watch the events in his hospital bed. They sent him personal messages on the video to convey their thoughts and well wishes.
"He went into the hospital before the league tournament and the kids wanted to reach out and show him he was missed," Papandrea said. "He saw the tape and loved it. But he got sick fast and they had to put him in a drug-induced coma and that was it. It's a really heartbreaking loss."
Catalano graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1965 and later joined the Army, serving in Vietnam until 1969. According to Papandrea, he was part of a military intelligence unit.
"He was a great friend," Papandrea said. "He was unbelievably patient with our kids and he taught them about life."
Papandrea, who was on the professional bowlers tour for four years, credited Catalano with his rise on the tour. Catalano, a former Pro Bowlers Association member, bowled 24 perfect games of 300.
He is survived by his wife, Regina of Bohemia, daughter Simone Catalano of Bohemia, sons Michael of Holtsville and Patrick of Bohemia, daughter-in-law Dawn and grandson Joseph. He is also survived by three brothers - James, Leonard and Raymond, all of Bohemia.
Viewing will take place today from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. and tomorrow 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Moloney Funeral Home, 1320 Lakeland Ave., Bohemia. A funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:45 a.m. Thursday at St. John Nepomucene Catholic Church in Bohemia followed by burial at St. Lawrence the Martyr Cemetery in Sayville.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Sandy Catalano Scholarship Fund at 17 E. Main St., East Islip, NY 11730.
