Obituary: Frank Catallo

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Obituary: Frank Catallo

Friday, 22 February 2013 00:00

Frank Catallo of Old Westbury, is one of the reasons his generation has been called the greatest there ever was. He was a successful gifted engineer, inventor and designer of machinery for processing yarns and fabrics. He was a compassionate family man and friend. He was humble. He passed away Jan. 16, 2013.

Mr. Catallo was born Feb. 2, 1923 in Brooklyn, New York. As a boy he was inquisitive as to how things worked. He started his “manufacturing” career building engines for model cars and planes.

When World War II and his beloved America called he chose to become a Marine. He was stationed in the South Pacific until his honorable discharge in 1946. He continued to live his life pursuant to the Marine Corp. mottos, Semper Fi, always faithful and Ductos Exempo, to lead by example. After his service to our country, Mr. Catallo worked during the day and attended Pratt Institute at night where he earned his degree in engineering.

Mr. Catallo used his education and creative genius to revolutionize the field of textile cloth finishing. He founded Fab-Con Machinery Development Corp. in 1965. Fab-Con has its world headquarters in Port Washington, keeping many Long Islanders employed. In the more than 40 years that have followed its creation, Frank Catallo was at the helm as Fab-Con developed into one of the most respected and innovative manufacturers for the Knit Goods Industry, with a major share of the world market. He was at his desk the day prior to his death and there are pending patent applications for machinery he invented in his 89th year. If granted, these patents will be additions to Mr. Catallo’s already prolific portfolio of patents

Frank Catallo danced through life with his wife of 64 years, Teresa. Their unending devotion and love for one another was shared by their son, Jim; his wife Donna; their daughters Janet Moorman and her husband David, Cathleen Trautwig and her husband Alan; and grandchildren, Michael, Courtney, Alex and Christopher.

Frank Catallo lived his life both professionally and personally by sharing his gifts of invention, love, generosity and let’s not forget his homemade wine.

News

Ed Balcourt Leads Memorial Day Parade

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Attendees of the Port Washington Memorial Day parade might see a familiar face waving from the American Legion convertible this year. 90-year-old army veteran Ed Balcourt will be this year’s Grand Marshal.

Balcourt, who was raised in Brooklyn, was attending medical school at the height of the U.S. involvement in World War II. He was deferred from the draft, but at 19, decided to join the army.

“All my friends had been drafted. When I walked outside, I could feel all the women looking at me. I felt a little guilty. I wanted to go fight,” Balcourt said.

Port VFW Selects Ripullone As Co-Grand Marshal

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

The Port Washington Veterans of Foreign Wars has selected Peter Ripullone, a decorated soldier and architect, as Co-Grand Marshal of this year’s Memorial Day Parade. The Ripullone family has a long tradition of military service, which dates back to World War I.

Ripullone followed the family tradition and entered military service as a second lieutenant in the army, in 1966. After completing his combat engineering training, he was certified as a combat engineer unit commander. Prior to his service in Vietnam, he spent three months with the 91st Combat Engineers, assisting in the training of West Point cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, for various combat engineering missions, including various types of bridge construction, building and fortification structures, road and runway construction, mine warfare and demolition training.

Sports

Schreiber’s Girls Softball Team – Better Shape Than Ever

Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00

Elimination in the first-round of the county playoffs, though disappointing, can’t take anything away from what the Schreiber High School girls softball team accomplished this year, according to coach Eric Sutz.

A comparison between what happened to the team last year and what the team did this year is a study in contrasts. “Last year we didn’t win one league game,” Sutz explained. “This year we were undefeated in the league.” The Vikings won all 14 of their league games and were 15-4 overall. They were conference champions for the first time since 2004.

“PYA Never Stops…It’s For The Kids”

Thursday, 16 May 2013 00:00

The fact that Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) is celebrating its 50th year of working with area boys and girls is quite an accomplishment. Ron Henderson, its executive director for the past 20 years, also has a long history with PYA’s Lions Field that extends all the way back to 1958.

“I played in the first games ever held at the field back then when it was the Port Washington Little League,” said Henderson. “That was before the field was renovated.” The renovation, which began in 1999 and forced the PYA to relocate for two years from its Glen Lane site, now features four Little League fields and one major league field, all on pesticide-free, natural grass. During the fall, the fields are converted for lacrosse and football programs.