THOMASTON – Claire Fernand Gloria Catalano, 90, passed away peacefully, April 28, 2018 at home after a brief illness, with her family at her side.

Born in Goffstown, New Hampshire, November 16, 1927, she was the daughter of Arthur F. and Corona S. Lafond Dennis.  Growing up in Manchester, New Hampshire, she loved skiing and tobogganing.  She was considered by her classmates to be quiet, studious, and an avid reader.  She was never tardy or absent during her four years of St. Georges High School, where she graduated in 1945.  

After graduation she worked for the telephone Company in Concord, New Hampshire and oftentimes commuted to Wakefield, Massachusetts  to visit her sister Irene.  She met her husband, Richard Catalano, during one of those visits.  They were married at St. Edmunds Church in Manchester in 1949.  The couple had five children. During the summer, they would often pack up the children and go to Kingston State Park in New Hampshire for picnics, or head to the beach in Nahant, Massachusetts. 

Early on Mrs. Catalano worked at Transitron in Wakefield, Massachusetts, and then took a job at GEL in Everett, Massachusetts, working there from 1966-1989 assembling circuit boards for computers.

She enjoyed making clothes for her children and crafts, such as knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, and ceramics.  Her grandchildren enjoyed her hand-made sweaters, hats and mittens.

After retirement she enjoyed spending time with her husband between Florida and Massachusetts.  After her husband’s death in 2004, she divided her time between Florida and Maine, living with her son Richard and his wife Cindy.  She moved to Maine full time in 2017, where she enjoyed her last year and made new friends.  Claire’s greatest quality was her kindness.  She had a strong faith.  

Predeceased by her husband Richard, two sons, Dennis Catalano and Robert Catalano, she is survived by her son, Richard, and his wife, Cindy, of Thomaston; two daughters, Patrice Gray of Wakefield, MA, Gail Riccio and her husband John of Burlington, Mass.; 14 grandchildren, Alicia Clarke, Averyl Belyea, Richard Catalano, Jr., Marc Catalano, Thomas Catalano, Michael Catalano, Sandra Benser, Jonathan Riccio, Jason Riccio, Danielle Riccio, Matthew Catalano, Daniel Catalano, Miranda David, Amanda McGovern and 17 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am, Friday, May 4 at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland with Pastor Chris Chappell officiating.  A reception will follow the service at Harbor Light Church of God, South Main Street, Rockland.  Interment at St. Patrick Cemetery, Stoneham, MA will be at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to a new women’s transitional home, Ruth’s Haven, c/o PenBay Ministries, 78 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841.

To share a story or memory with the Catalano family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.