John Anthony Catapano, 86, passed away suddenly on March 6th, 2020. John was born in Brooklyn, NY on July 11, 1933 to the late Antonio and Filomena Catapano. John is predeceased by the love of his life, Alice Carolyn Catapano, who passed away on March 9th, 2015. John was a devoted husband, father, Poppy, Great Poppy, son, and brother. John's entire life was centered on his family. He loved his wife and children with his entire heart and soul and felt there was nothing more important in life than family. John is survived by his daughter Angelina Valentini and her husband Anthony, grandchildren Alyse & Sean Doyle, Gabrielle and Anthony II, his daughter Victoria Hirsch and her husband Robert Christopher and grandchildren Olivia and Robert, his son John Catapano, his son Felice Catapano, grandchildren Nicholas and Mariah, his son Antonio Catapano and his wife Tiffany, grandchildren John and Damian, and five great grandchildren.  John and Alice raised their family in Mahopac, NY, where everyone in the "Fish Bowl" neighborhood knew and loved him. He put on fireworks displays for the Fourth of July and brought joy to everyone in the neighborhood. John worked for the city of New York and retired after 25 years and spent the rest of his life with his wife, children and their families. His personality lit up any room, he loved meeting and chatting with people, loved to sing (whistle, too) and had a voice like Tony Bennett even in his final days. John liked to share his fond memories of growing up in Brooklyn, playing stickball, and of his loving parents. He still got weepy talking about his parents later in life. He loved to be around his family, eating together, laughing, and playing cards. John loved being 'by the water'; he spent many, many days crabbing with his daughter Victoria and her children at his side and shared warm stories about his wife Alice over and over again. He couldn't wait for the warmer weather to be here so he could be by the water
with Vicki again; this year 'they were going to start crabbing early so they could get every single crab out of the water'. FaceTime became one of John's favorite things in recent years, chatting with his great grand￾daughters and making them laugh. John would give you the shirt off his back, literally. He was a loyal person, he loved deeply and was proud of his children and family. A hardworking man his entire life, he wanted nothing more than his family to always be good to each other and to love one another because 'blood is thicker than water'.  He was the light in our life, the strength that kept us safe, and provided us all with many happy memories that we will cherish forever. Our hearts are broken and our dad will be missed forever by those who were blessed to have met him. Until we meet again, dearest Dad, Poppy and Great-Poppy, we love you with all of our hearts. We are at peace knowing you are finally holding mom's hand again, forever, and the best is yet to come