Casper Catalanotto

Casper Catalanotto, 87, of Yaphank NY, entered eternal rest in the Lord on Nov 26, 2025. Known to family and friends as "Cap", he was devoted to his beloved wife of 66 years, Jeanne (Gauntt) Catalanotto. Loving father to his children and their spouses: Charles Catalanotto (Denise), Ken Catalanotto (Alexis), Joanne Grottola (Jim), Craig Catalanotto (Debbie), and Karen Panebianco (Tony). Proud and adoring grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

Cap was the son of Charles and Anna Catalanotto, one of six children raised in a large and loving first-generation American family, in a modest apartment in Ridgewood Queens. He was very close to his parents, siblings, and many nieces and nephews. He joins his parents and siblings Frank, Jean, Loretta and Delores in eternal rest, and is survived by his sister Nina.

Cap and Jeanne raised their five children in Smithtown NY, in a home on Hilltop Drive. Their neighborhood was filled with friends and children, running around, playing, making mischief, and growing up together.

As a young man, he worked hard to support his growing family, attending college in the evenings to earn his bachelor's and master's degrees in aerospace engineering, and still finding time to be involved in his children's activities. He had a long and successful career, including over 35 years at Grumman Aerospace, serving as Chairman of the Long Island chapter of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and in later years as a consultant at NASA's wind tunnel facility in Langley VA.

Cap and Jeanne loved spending time with family and friends. They enjoyed dancing, playing cards, traveling, and going out to dinner. For the latter part of his career, they lived in Suffolk VA, where they enjoyed frequent gatherings with their large circle of friends. They returned to Long Island and lived in Yaphank for the final years of his life, surrounded by the love of his children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday Dec 1, 2:00-4:00pm and 6:00-8:00pm, at Clayton Funeral Home, 25 Meadow Rd, Kings Park NY.

Funeral will be held on Tuesday Dec 2, 11:00am, at St. Joseph's Church, 74 Old Dock Rd, Kings Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to East End Hospice at https://eeh.org/ways-to-give/donate/