Salvatore E. Catania died on July 14, 2005, at the age of 85. Born in Mahattan, he moved to the Bronx following his marriage in 1942. He moved his family to Garden City in 1954, where he resided until his death.

Mr. Catania was a WWII veteran, serving nearly four years and seeing combat action in Africa and Europe, where he received the Purple Heart. He was reassigned to the Pacific shortly before the Japanese surrender.

He learned the jewelry trade as an apprentice and eventually went on to found his own manufacturing business, which eventually went on to become one of the leading suppliers of karat gold jewelry products to major department and chain stores nationwide.

During his business days, his hobbies included boating and golfing. After retirement, he bred thoroughbred race horses as a business/hobby, racing them at Belmont and Finger Lakes. He continued to play golf up to four times a week into his eighties.

Mr. Catania is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dorothy; his daughter Dorine Kobert Benton of Port Jefferson; his son Joel of Garden City; his daughter Dina of St. James; and five grandchildren - Kristin (Kobert) Watson, Jason and Michael Catania and Lauren and Anthony Durando.

The family was cared for by the Thomas F. Dalton Funeral Home, New Hyde Park. Funeral Mass at St. Anne's Church. Interment Holy Rood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth St., Santa Monica, CA 90401.