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John Joseph Catena Jr.

John Catena Obituary

CATENA, Jr., John Joseph On Wednesday, October 6, 2004, JOHN JOSEPH CATENA, JR., of Ellicott City, MD. Beloved husband of Debra G. Catena; father of Lisa Catena, Rebecca and Matthew Twigg; brother of Donald and Betty Lynn Catena. Relatives and friends may call at COLLINS FUNERAL HOME, 500 University Blvd., West, Silver Spring, MD, Sunday, 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M., where Service will be held, on Monday, October 11, at 11 A.M. Interment Fort Lincoln Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Heart Association Memorial & Tribute Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216 or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, OH 44720.

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Published by Baltimore Sun from Oct. 8 to Oct. 9, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for John Catena

Sponsored by Robert J. Schweiss in fondest memory of John Catena.

21 Entries

Craig Weikel

October 25, 2024

Well its been just a little over 20 years since John's passing but I still think of him often. John and I were born the same year about two months apart so we shared similar perspectives. Like others have posted, he was a warm, friendly, kind man who everyone respected and enjoyed being around. I know he adored his daughter Lisa and her preparations for going to college. His spirit lives on in you. Blue skies John.

Your Baby Daughter, Lisa Catena

October 23, 2006

I can't believe it's been over 2 years. I think about you every single day and my heart still hurts knowing you're no longer here. I know I was truly blessed to have you as a father. I miss you and I love you more than words can say.

Janice Luna

December 10, 2004

Debbie,Lisa, Becca and Matt -

I just heard of Johnny's passing - it is unreal. I am so sorry for your missing family member. Johnny was always smiling and making life better for those around him. God has him home but you'll miss him. Remember all the good times and his presence will be you at all times. God Bless your family in this trying time. With my deepest sympathy and that of my family. Janice, Jorge, Amy and Jeremy

Robert Schweiss

October 22, 2004

John was a friend, a mentor, and and my boss on the SMEX Triana Project at NASA in Greenbelt. I'll never forget him. He was widely respected as a Mission Manager and had a natural gift for getting the job done. He never asked how but rather when. I think of him often at work. My sincerest condolences to his family.

Michael Rice

October 12, 2004

I was deeply saddened to hear that John passed away. Like so many others who have posted messages here, I worked with John for many years on the SMEX project. John was far and away my favorite NASA manager; he always had a way of truly connecting with people, and making you feel comfortable and at ease. I always enjoyed the good-natured ribbing we shared over sports (he was a huge MD Terrapin fan, and I'm a UNC Tar Heel fan).

I feel very blessed to have known and worked with John, and will miss him dearly. I extend my deepest sympathy to his family.

Mary Baxter

October 11, 2004

I was fortunate to work with John for several years on the SMEX Small Explorer's program at GSFC. John was very well liked and respected at SMEX - there was a very heavy turnout from former SMEX colleagues at the Viewing Sunday afternoon! I also enjoyed seeing John (and Lisa) perform in MAD's "South Pacific" and was looking forward to seeing John perform in "City of Angels" this Fall. Like everyone at NASA, I was shocked and sadden by John's premature passing. Deepest Condolences to John's family.

Rich Francis

October 10, 2004

Coach John and I have been involved with HCYP Softball before it was fast pitch. I, personally and the HCYP Community have been deeply blessed to have had John as a fiend, coach, teacher, leader, helper, supporter. John was always a voice for our girls and our programs. Over the years John actively help set the direction of our softball program as well as the basketball program. I don’t think there was anything that John loved better than to be out on the softball fields watching the girls play and having a part in each of their lives. John was a teacher of sportsmanship, fair play, dedication, compassion and every girl that he coached has something they learned from Coach John to pass on to their children. My prayers are with the Catena family, Deb & Lisa and others. I love you both and thank you for sharing John with us. In closing I just want to say, Thank you Coach John. You have bless us all and may God watch over you always.

Gabrielle Araiza

October 10, 2004

Dear Catena Family,

Please accept my condolences on your great loss. My prayers are with you all.

Joan Frank

October 8, 2004

First, to John’s family: I am so sorry for your loss.

As I am reading through the notes that have been written here, I hope that we can all convey to you how well loved and respected John has been at GSFC. Those of us who have been blessed to work on one of his projects know how kind, encouraging and effective he has been in cultivating successful teams. Ralph was exactly right when he said that John made each of us feel special in some way. When I was a Goddard neophyte, he gave me the confidence that I needed to become an effective contributor on the SMEX team. He was generous in his praise and always ensured that we got recognition as a team and as individuals. He was unfailingly moral and ethical, and there was never a doubt in any of our minds that being a dad was his greatest pleasure and grandest accomplishment.

Without the slightest exaggeration, I can say that my life has been better because I worked with John.

Melissa nauman

October 8, 2004

Coach John was probablly the best coach I have ever had. 4 years of him.I learned so many lessons from him. Learning to be confident is one of them, Coach John never made you feel bad or stupid, he always made you smile, and was always so funny. He taught me love of the game, determination and to never give in to fustration. My thoughts and prayers are wit Mrs Catena, Lisa and your whole family. Thank you coach john for teaching me so much! you'll be missed

Ted Leoutsakos

October 8, 2004

John was my mission ops manager, colleague, and most importantly, a good friend. We go back to the early 90's, and he was one of the best reasons to look forward to coming to work! I absolutely know that he's in a great place now, and at the same time still with us. I'll really miss him!

Marge and Dave Smith

October 8, 2004

Dear Lisa, Your father was a very special man to those who knew and loved him and we will miss him and his very pleasant, friendly and lovable personality. We always enjoyed our interaction with him during our times together. You were his very special daughter and rightfully so and we loved seeing the relationship you two shared. He was so proud of your accomplishments throughout your life.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family now and as you go forward in life. God Bless you and your family. Love, Marge and Dave Smith

John Richter

October 8, 2004

I first worked with John at GSFC in 1989. He was well liked by all fellow co-workers. When he became our Mission Ops Manager on GOES, I was happy to have him join our team. He was always fair and would be the first to complement good work. John was not just my Mission Ops Manager, I considered him a friend.

He will be missed by many.

Rest in Peace John.

Alicia Moore

October 8, 2004

John was one of my favorite NASA government folks to work with. He always had a kind word and made contractors feel welcome and valuable. I will miss talking with him, and express my sincerest condoloences to his family.

Donnie Gates

October 8, 2004

John was a first a close friend and then a co-worker/customer. In my 20+ years of knowing John, I can say I have not met another person with such awesome qualities. John was dedicated to his profession, his family and friends. He was one of the nicest, kindest persons I have ever met. We travelled this world together and had a blast doing it. Lisa you were the apple of John's eye. Whenever he needed a good thought to brighten his day, you were it. I was blessed to have him in my life and I will miss him a lot. My thoughts and prayers to the family ...

DIANE KELLEY

October 8, 2004

JOHN'S MANY "DANCING" FRIENDS MOURN OUR LOSS OF HIM AND THANK GOD FOR THE GIFT OF HIS LIFE

Felicia Harrison

October 8, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of bereavement. Be strong and know that he is in a better place. God bless.

Irene Bademosi

October 8, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with you Lisa and all members of your family at this difficult time. May his soul rest in perfect peace.

Mark Ambrose

October 8, 2004

I couldn't believe it when I heard of John's passing. John and I go back to 1982 when we both worked for Bendix after the air traffic controllers strike. Those were difficult days working for Bendix in the GN scheduling section, but we all took it with humor, especially John. I built a deck for John one summer. It was hot, hard work and I remember asking him if he had any adult beverages. John wasn't much of a drinker and he wasn't particularly well stocked. He came out with a bottle of gin, but no tonic. I asked what he did have and he said "grape coolaid". I told him that was good enough so we drank gin and grape coolaid that day finishing his deck.

John had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. It was John who later talked me into transferring out of (then) Code 533 and into Code 501. It was the best advise I ever received and later that move got me a GS-14. I thank John for that.

My prayers are with John's family. He and Debbie have a daughter together, Lisa, who is the same age as my own son. My heart breaks when I think that Lisa will grow up without the best father in the world.

I will really miss John. He was one of a kind.

If there is anything John's family needs please let me know.

Ralph Casasanta

October 8, 2004

I wanted to pass on my fond recollections of John; I worked with him at GSFC and played softball with and against him at the Goddard fields. John was truly an enjoyable person to be around. He was warm, affable, and overall just a really great guy.

We worked hard, but John made the work enjoyable; he fostered team-oriented concepts that allowed us to be the best. He gave us the freedom in our jobs that made coming to work an enjoyable experience.

I know that we will all miss John and his pleasant personality and how he made each one of us feel special. The best thing I can say about John is that while we worked together, he really made the team feel like family and not just work.

Good-bye John and God bless…..

Al Galindo

October 8, 2004

Dear Debra and Lisa,

I would like to extend my condolences to you and your family on the passing of John. I enjoyed coaching with him in the HCYP basketball leagues with our daughters. I will keep John and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

Most sincerely yours,

Al Galindo, father of Christine Galindo

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