Matthew Cataldi

Matt was born in Hammonton, NJ to Cheryl Ann Cataldi and Louis Cataldi, Jr. He was a loving and dedicated owner of many pets, and avidly pursued a hobby in woodworking, especially of the lathe and the scroll saw, with which he made bowls, display boxes, wooden puzzles, carved art, and martial arts weapons. He freely gave these gifts to his friends and family as cherished mementos.

His martial arts achievements include becoming a black belt at age 19 under the instruction of Master Dan Allebach, and he made a career in teaching taekwondo for many studios in South Jersey. After many years of working for martial arts studios, he would join Cherry Hill Martial Arts & Fitness, where he would rise the ranks and obtained the coveted rank of 4th dan and the title of Master Cataldi under his longtime mentor Master Allebach. He was a member of the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame and the Legends Hall of Fame. Most important to him was teaching, and his love or working with the children, teens, and adults was evident in his classes. He was a hero to many students, and was an example to them of how far they could excel in the martial arts, and how to apply those lessons to their lives outside the training hall. He embodied five tenets of taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.

He is survived by brothers Louis Whalen and Nickolas Cataldi; his maternal grandmother Cecile Myrtetus; his maternal aunt Lee Ann Cappuccio and her husband Michael; his paternal aunt Toni Cataldi and her 4 children; his uncles Stephen Myrtetus and wife Tammy, and Joe Myrtetus and his children; his maternal cousin Renee Prata (Myrtetus). He is preceded in death by his parents, his uncle Frank Myrtetus, his cousin Frank Myrtetus, Jr., and his Cherry Hill Martial Arts family.

His martial arts family honors Matthew with the Korean phrase “pilsung,” which means “certain victory.”

Family and friends are invited to the viewing on Saturday March 14, 2020 from 9:30 – 11:00 am at Nesco UMC, 3551 Nesco Road Hammonton, NJ 08037. A Worship Service will be celebrated at 11:00 am. Arrangements have been entrusted to BLAKE-DOYLE Funeral Home, Collingswood, NJ.