NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. — Anthony Thomas Catanoso of North Wildwood, N.J. passed away Friday, November 21, 2014, in North wildwood where he had lived for the past 85 years. He was 97. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., on December 23, 1916, his parents Carmelo and Caterina (Foti) moved “Tony” and his seven brothers and sisters to North Wildwood in 1928. Sibling number nine was born three years later.

Tony is pre-deceased by his parents Carmelo and Caterina, two sisters Elizabeth Lamanna and Bessie LaRosa and two brothers Charlie and Peter. He is survived by his loving wife, Phyllis, to whom he was married for sixty-six years, daughter and son-in-law, Pati and Jack Sparks, three grandchildren (Art, Kelly Sparks-Stauffer (Sandy) and Christy Czworkowski (Charles), nine great-grandchildren (Alexandra, Anthony, Steven, Morgan, Caz, Caskia, Cezanne , Czarek, and Co); two brothers, Leonard (Connie), Joe, two sisters Leona Betz and Mary Nestor, two sisters-in-law, Carole Catanoso and Louise Catanoso, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Catanoso was a friend and colleague to the New Jersey Amusement Association (NJAA) and the former mayor of North Wildwood, N.J. He was the uncle of Anthony Catanoso, principal owner and president of Steel Pier Associates, LLC, which owns and operates the world famous Steel Pier in Atlantic City, N.J.

Catanoso was a veteran of WWII serving in Sicily and Italy as an interpreter and investigator in a specialized outfit named AMGOT (Allied Military Government of Occupied Territories). He was a member of the Sons of Italy, the Moose, the American Legion, the VFW, an exempt member of the North Wildwood Fire Department, local and county Republican Clubs, Union League, Wildwood Golf and Country Club, and many other organizations. He served as Mayor of North Wildwood for twenty-seven years and as Cape May County Freeholder for twenty-one years during which time he received recognition for the County Special Services School and for his many other civic involvements. He was also proud of being instrumental in helping to save the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, which has become a major landmark in North Wildwood. Most recently Mr. Catanoso was featured in the newly opened Visitors Center of the Rome/Sicily Cemetery, in Nuttuno, Italy. It honors those military personnel (AMGOT) who helped rebuild the war-damaged towns.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 25th in Notre Dame de la Mer Parish, at St. Ann Church, 2900 Atlantic Ave., Wildwood, NJ where friends may call from 9 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.

Interment will be in the Cape May County Veteran’s Cemetery, Cape May Court House, NJ. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hereford Inlet Lighthouse, 101 North Central Ave., North Wildwood, NJ. would be appreciated.

Friend and acquaintances may leave comments on the Anthony Catanoso Guest Book

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