Pater Catausan

Paterno Catausan, age 71, of Las Vegas, Nevada, went home to be with the Lord on November 10, 2025. Born on March 17, 1954, in the Philippines, Paterno was the third of five children; anchored between one older sibling (Annie) and three younger ones (Veo, Joel, and Vicky) who together shaped his early life with warmth, resilience, and the unmistakable bond of a close-knit Filipino family.

From humble beginnings, Paterno carried a quiet determination that would define the rest of his life. After graduating from the Mapúa Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, he pursued opportunity in the United States with his beloved wife, Florinda, who was able to bring her family to the US as a nurse. Even with strong academic credentials, doors in his field were initially closed to him, an experience common to many new immigrants. Yet Paterno never allowed hardship to become a barrier. He worked his way up from warehouse labor, embracing every task with dignity, discipline, and the conviction that perseverance would one day open the doors God had prepared for him.

And it did. Through relentless effort and unwavering faith, Paterno earned both a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management. He went on to practice engineering for NutraSweet, Monsanto and later Solutia, where he was valued for his intellect, precision, and integrity. Eventually, he transitioned into what would become his most significant professional chapter, building a successful career as a real estate owner-operator, where his business acumen, discipline, and vision flourished.

Although Paterno earned recognition, financial success, and the respect of colleagues and peers, these were never the things he treasured most. His true legacy was far deeper: his self-sacrifice, his relentless work ethic, and his unwavering love for his family. Every advancement, every late night, every risk he took was for them. He pushed through difficult seasons so his children and grandchildren would have foundations stronger than the ones he started with. He believed in building something lasting, something that would endure far beyond his own lifetime.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Florinda, and by his two sons: Herb (wife Rachel, and their children Mia, Asher, and Levi) and Michael (wife Erica, and their children Mick, Lily, and Bobby). His love for his family was both fierce and tender. He delighted in his grandchildren, who brought him immense joy and pride.

Those who knew Paterno will remember the steadiness of his presence, the humility of his character, and the strength beneath his quiet demeanor. He was a man who did not boast, did not demand attention, and did not seek praise. Instead, he lived out a conviction that true greatness is measured in faithfulness; faithfulness to God, to family, and to the calling placed before him.

Though the memory of a man may fade from the minds of future generations, the legacy of a man like Paterno does not. His life’s work, rooted in sacrifice, faith, integrity, and vision, will continue through his children, through their children, and through the opportunities his perseverance made possible for all who come after him. And in the hope of the gospel, we rest in the promise that his story is not over. “For to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8).

The family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support offered during this season of loss, and invites all who knew Paterno to join in remembering and celebrating the life of a man whose influence will endure for generations.

A funeral service for Pater will be held Friday, November 28, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, 204 S Boulder Hwy, Henderson, NV 89015. Following the funeral service will be a visitation from 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Palm Mortuary - Eastern, 7600 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89123.