Ernest Catenacci

Ernest Richard Catenacci, 92, of Little Rock, Arkansas, was born in Harlem, New York in January, 1917 and passed away December 22, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Frances Emanuele Catenacci; two daughters, JoAnn Treadway (Adrian) of Little Rock and Beatrice Baaden of Bayville, New York. He is also survived by five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren: Gerald Ernest Quirk (Beth) and their three children of Sudbury, MA; Brendan Anthony Quirk (Leigh) and their three children of Little Rock; Frances Alsbrook (Nick) and their two children of Jonesboro, AR; Kenneth Baaden (Nicole) and their two children of Huntington, NY; and Karyn Hoffman (Marc) and their three children of Bayville, NY. Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Abruzese of Scarsdale, NY and Gemma Cosgrove of Yonkers, NY; special niece and nephew, GiGi Hartrey and Peter Longo, their children and spouses as well as numerous other nieces and nephews. A private memorial service is planned. Memorials may be made in lieu of flowers to the ACRC Infusion Center at UAMS, 4301 W. Markham, #623, Little Rock, AR 72205; the Reynolds Institute on Aging at UAMS, 4301 W. Markham, #748, Little Rock, AR 72205; CARE for Animals, P.O. Box 7604, Little Rock, AR 72217 or the charity of one's choice. Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., Little Rock, (501)224-2200. Mr. Catenacci's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com. Prior to his death, Dad prepared the following to be published as his obituary: A SHORT BIOGRAPHY OF A LONG LIFE: I was born on January 27, 1917, third son of Beniamino Catenacci and Beatina (Bochicchio) Catenacci, immigrants from Italy, in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. The family (brothers, Michael and Anthony; sisters Amalia, Mary and Gemma; and ZiMichele - bachelor brother of my mother) moved to the "country" (The Bronx) when I was eleven years old. After attending P.S. 78, I attended and graduated from Monroe High School in 1934. My high school achievements were: Editor of Monroe Mirror (school newspaper), editor of the Year Book, editor of Arista News (Scholarship Society) and editor of Business Forum News. Continuing my education in college was not an option because we were in a long economic depression and financial needs at home were acute, even foregoing a journalism scholarship to New York University. Thus began four years of descending from the pinnacle of achievement to the valley of despair... four years of intermittent employment, three starts and resignations for the City College of New York night school, and the key temporary employment in May of 1939 with the Italian Health & Recreation Center in Ellenville, New York. I say key because it was there I made the decision to forget about a career in journalism and in September of 1939 accepted a position as junior accountant with Harry D. Weiss, CPA, returning to CCNY night school. However, it was not to be. In October of 1940 came conscription in the army draft lottery, thence proceeding to the reception center at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and finally to our destination at Fort McClellan, Alabama, as part of the 102nd Medical Regiment, 27th Division, Army of the United States. As an aside, to give you a view of the "army" of that period, our issue consisted of partial World War 1 uniforms and broomsticks for guns. We were required to buy our regimentals, belt and garrison hat in addition to tent supplies (toilet tissue, axes, brooms) all on $21 a month. Oddly enough it was while I was here that I began church attendance on a regular basis and under the tutelage of our chaplain received Holy Communion and Confirmation in May 1941. The service was held on the Post lawn, along with 150 other soldiers, celebrated by Bishop John O'Hara, former president of Notre Dame University. In October 1941, I was transferred to what became my permanent wartime post, the Station Hospital, Fort Hamilton, New York. The move was made to allow me to serve out the remaining months of my one year selectee agreement at a post near home.... until December 7th and the Japanese Empire destroyed the "best laid plan". I advanced to the highest enlisted man rank, serving as Sergeant Major of the Station Hospital, after serving a brief sprint overseas in England. The biggest event of this period was my marriage in April 1945 to Frances Emanuele...nine days before Nazi Germany surrendered. Up to the date of my discharge in December 1945, we lived in a beautiful home on the Post, with Italian prisoners of war as our maintenance staff. In January 1946 I resumed my employment with Harry D. Weiss, CPA. Resuming my education, I graduated cum laude from CCNY in 1949 and received my CPA certificate in 1950. My career culminated in the formation of my own accounting firm, "Catenacci, Markowitz, DeLandri, Rosner & Company" in 1970. During my business life I served as Trustee of Peoples Savings Bank (NY), Republican Party district leader, assistant Treasurer of Yonkers Republican City Committee, director of the Yonkers Branch of American Red Cross, Member of Business Development Board of Hudson Valley National Bank. I am a member of the American Institute of CPAs, NYS Society of CPAs and the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree. And last but not least on the home front, my daughter, Beatrice was born in June of 1946 and my daughter, JoAnn, in August of 1947.... the precursors of five grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.