Richard Allen Cataldo

Richard was born in Brooklyn to his parents, Diana and Salvatore Cataldo. He was raised in Freeport and graduated from Freeport High School in 1969.

Richard and Loretta were introduced in 1980 by Loretta's mom at a mutual place of employment. (Little-known fact...Rich asked Loretta to marry him on their first date!) Although Loretta thought he was kidding, Rich didn't let up, and the two were married in 1982.

Richard, by profession, was a mechanic. He worked in printing business for many years, and currently in the Auto Parts industry. In his free time, you would find him working on cars, watching car races, gardening or....(Loretta's favorite) cooking dinner. Rich was a wonderful cook!

He is survived by his beloved wife, Loretta; his children - Amanda and son-in-law, Brian Siemers, Richard, and Marissa; his mother, Diana; and his sisters - his twin, Diana, and Roberta. He was greeted in heaven by his father, Salvatore and his sister, Adrienne.

Richard had many nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much...too numerous to name; and his cousins, all near and dear to his heart; who he always spoke of with love and a smile.

Family and friends will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday evening, from 7-9:30 p.m., and on Wednesday, from 2-4:30 and 7-9:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be offered at 9:45 am. on Thursday at Our Lady of the Assumption R.C. Church in Copiague. Interment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

In lieu of flowers; or if you would like to make a donation in Richard's memory, the family has two very dear organizations.

Donations may be made to F.R.E.E., a day-habilitation program for adults with disabilities, in which his daughter, Marissa, participates in the Theatre program; or to the Boston Children's Hospital.

FREE (Family Residences and Essential Enterprises). Marissa's Day Theatre Program is raising money through a capital project to purchase their own theatre to use as a venue and as a place of employment for their adults. Please make your check payable to "FREE". Send your check to 191 Bethpage-Sweet Hollow Road, Old Bethpage, NY 11804 to the Attention of Christine Scarpinato.

Cardiac Department of Boston Children's Hospital. Make your remembrance online at www.bostonchildrens.org/giving; or by regular mail to Boston Children's Hospital Trust, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215-5301. Make your check payable to the Boston Children's Hospital.