Joseph Cato, 92, of E. Syracuse, went to live with the Lord on Wednesday. He served our nation with honor as a naval pharmacist mate from 1943 to 1946. During his tour of duty, he served in Norfolk, Virginia, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and on the U.S.S. ATR-29. After World War II he returned to his home town of Manlius, NY, where he was employed with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
Joseph is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Patricia (Homer); daughter, Patricia (Doug) Dunn of Hannibal, NY; son, Joseph Michael (Diane) Cato of Seminole, FL; sister, Domenica Grace Howe of Liverpool, NY. He was blessed by seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
He is predeceased by his parents, Nicola and Concetta Catterino; two sisters, Anna Catterino and Teresa Zupan; brother, Leo Catterino, all of Manlius, NY; daughter Sharon and a son Daniel Cato. The Catterinos were known as one of the founding Italian families of Manlius.
Family and friends remember Joseph as a man of conviction, deeply proud of his home town roots and naval service. He was committed to service in his community. He was a fifty-year member of Archie Van Patten American Legion Post #141. He enjoyed organizing the Manlius Memorial Day parade for decades. He volunteered for the Republican Party, seeking signatures for petitions and working on campaigns.
He was a communicant of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in East Syracuse. He supported various fundraisers for the Catholic school his children attended. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus.
An avid sportsman, Joe could be found fishing for pike in the St. Lawrence River, trout in the Adirondack Mountains, or bagging a whitetail deer in Central New York. He was a lifetime member of the Fayetteville-Manlius Rod and Gun Club.
Calling hours will be Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at The Eaton-Tubbs Fayetteville Chapel, 7191 E. Genesee St, Fayetteville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. at St. Matthews Church, 229 W. Yates St. E. Syracuse. Burial with Military Honors will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, DeWitt.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Joseph’s name to Alzheimer’s Association CNY Chapter, 441 West Kirkpatrick Street, Syracuse, NY 13204.

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