Obituary of Peter F Catenacci

Peter Catenacci, age 83, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 31^st, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Peter was born on January 18, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY to Paul and Concetta (nee Gitto) Catenacci and grew up in the Bensonhurst/Gravesend neighborhood. He graduated in 1958 from Lafayette High School, where he was the catcher for the baseball team and played at Ebbets Field. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles. While in high school he formed a doo-wop band called the Song Spinners with classmates and co-wrote and recorded a 45 with Leila Records. While living in New York, he worked in Lord & Taylor's Fifth Ave store before attending drafting school and working at Curtis-Wright.

In 1959, he moved to Oakland and has resided there ever since. Once there, he started a band called the Townsmen and played for many weddings and functions in the area.

Peter proudly served in the U.S. Army, first at Fort Bliss, then Fort Dix, and later at the local area Nike bases.

He became a patrolman for the Oakland Police Department in the 1960s, where he met his wife Sandy when her car broke down in the center of town. He left the police department to work for GM and then Kemper Insurance, before returning to the Oakland Police in 1984, re-entering the academy at the age of 43, where he was elected president of the 50^th Class. Peter also graduated from the prestigious FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. While at the Oakland Police, he was instrumental in starting and teaching the DARE program to area students. His guidance left an indelible mark on the students, where years later, many would approach him in the supermarket and throughout town with fond memories of his classes. He finished his career at the Oakland Police Department in 2006. Always a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Sherlock Holmes, he realized a childhood dream by retiring as a detective after 25 years of service to the local community.

Peter loved and adored his family and was always there for them. As his children grew up, Peter enjoyed coaching their little league teams and as time went by, he supported them in the many sports they played right through college.

In retirement, he could often be found at his grandchildren's sporting events, passing on his love and knowledge of baseball. For over 20 years, he enjoyed watching college hockey games and traveling across the country to the Frozen Four finals.

He is survived by his wife Sandy of over 55 years, son Glenn and his wife Sheila, son Michael and his wife Carolyn, and his loving grandchildren Anthony and Dean. He is also survived by his sister Linda Pitone, brother-in-law Greg Cunningham and his wife Donna, several nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. Peter's passing leaves a profound void that will be felt deeply by his family, friends and the Oakland community.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at the Oakland Memorial Home, 330 Ramapo Valley Road, Oakland, NJ on Friday, January 10, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at Ponds Reformed Church on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Ponds Church Cemetery. Everyone Please Meet at Church on Saturday. Donations may be given to MSK Cancer Center (giving.mskcc.org).