George "Richard" Cataldi
December 22, 1946 ~ February 15, 2018
GEORGE “RICHARD” CATALDI
George “Richard” Cataldi, 71, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 at his home in Christiansburg, VA. Formerly of Vienna, VA, Richard joins his parents, George and Rubye, and his brother David in peaceful rest. Richard is survived and always remembered by his son, Peter Cataldi; daughter, Galina (Ryan) Barefoot; sister, Martha Northern; nephews, Eric (Missy) and Derek Hagan; and ex-wife, Olga Cataldi. Richard had a fulfilling lifelong career with the Association of American Railroads. He was a proud Virginia Tech Hokie, avid hiker, passionate basketball coach, devoted model railroad club enthusiast, and dedicated family man.
The family will host a visitation on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA.
George “Richard” Cataldi, 71, passed away Thursday, February 15, 2018 at his home in Christiansburg, VA. Formerly of Vienna, VA, Richard joins his parents, George and Rubye, and his brother David in peaceful rest. Richard is survived and always remembered by his son, Peter Cataldi; daughter, Galina (Ryan) Barefoot; sister, Martha Northern; nephews, Eric (Missy) and Derek Hagan; and ex-wife, Olga Cataldi. Richard had a fulfilling lifelong career with the Association of American Railroads. He was a proud Virginia Tech Hokie, avid hiker, passionate basketball coach, devoted model railroad club enthusiast, and dedicated family man.
The family will host a visitation on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Money and King Funeral Home, 171 W. Maple Ave., Vienna, VA.
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Dick and I walked 10.5 miles every day that it was nice out for the three years that I have lived in the Blacksburg area. He taught me a lot of history about the area, coal mines and trains. There will be a lot of people asking me where my side kick is. Even though I never got a word in most of the time I loved him , that white hair and that mischievous smile. I kept Maddie for him when he went to train shows and he loved trains and that cat. I will miss our lunches and most of all my friend I will miss you. My family is so sad and sends their condolences. The Huckleberry Trail will never be the same without you and I have lost my best friend.
I talked Dick into playing on the AAR softball team one Summer, several years back. He was a true warrior! While softball was not his go-to sport, he was a great sport in playing out the season and helping our team. As a co-worker, he was always filled with support and stories to go along with that support! A tad bit mischievous, he was a true delight and a person I will miss very much.
A father figure, coach, teacher, friend.. these are all words that will forever bring his picture to my mind. Being his daughters (Galina) best friend, Richard had no choice but to help “raise” me due to my constant attendance at the Cataldi household growing up. He was, without a doubt, the most generous man and always put us kids first in his day to day routines. Whether it be driving us to basketball practices or the mall on a Friday night he never hesitated to be present in our lives. Every life he touched will surely remember his smile and in return we will smile in rememberance of a great soul.
Richard helped coach Madison basketball long after his lovely daughter graduated. That showed his dedication to Vienna’s youth. I remember him telling me he was one of the first to attend Madison High School when it was first built. What a nice circle, and what a nice legacy he leaves behind. When loving, caring people die I always wish I’d gotten to know them better. This is now the case with Ricahrd. He was certainly a man to know and I’m grateful I was a small part of his rich life.
Del, Dianna, Ciera and Doug Jones
Dear Olga, Anna, Peter, Galina, Eric and Gina,
My sincere condolences on the loss of Richard. Richard was a beautiful man who loved everyone and was loved by everyone. Richard was the proudest being a father and a family man.
Love, Lydia Leeds
Уходят из жизни хорошие люди.
Как будто уснула, забыв обо всех.
Но долго звучать в нашей памяти будет
Заманчивый голос и ласковый смех.
Вчера говорил: “Нам надо собраться”,
Вчера открывал нам дверь на звонок.
Вчера ты так мило мог улыбаться,
Сегодня твой голос навеки умолк.
На кладбище тихо и солнышко светит.
Листки шевелятся на ветках чуть-чуть.
Одолжила день этот осень у лета,
Чтоб высветить лаской последний твой путь.
Мы снова собрались. Сегодня мы плачем.
И каждый сказать что-то хочет тебе.
Ведь были просчёты и были удачи
В нелёгкой порой, нашей общей судьбе.
Раскидистый тополь твой холмик укроет.
Сиреневый куст по весне расцветёт.
А мы будем помнить!
Спочін до долі та тяжби …
… час нічого не править і тільки посилюєтся гіркота смаку несправедливості і відчаю –
Olga, childrens, я прошу вибачення за раптову витрату вашої коханої людини. Я сподіваюся що ви прийміть мої глибокі співчуття у цей скрутний час для усіх. І я відчуваю що глибокий біль від втрати коханої людини і знання, що це – факт, що відбувся жах і він розриває і пригнічує усіх з нас, а жити то потрібно і потрібно. Багато з нас, які тужать, не знаходять на це посилання відповісти поминальними словами, – просто від що стався пригнічені. Ви не самотні у своїй самотності і гармидері із приводу спогадів і простої пам’яті вашого поважної людини. Ці стосунки впливають і на моє життя, просто, відверто, глибоко і торкнулися мене назавжди. Безглуздо і важко придумати декілька точних слів щоб описати, наскільки вони можуть домінувати і відбивати глибину і суть втрати – особливо коли досягли у свідомості наших думок ту печаль і істину ймовірності втрати … бажаю, щоб зворушливі вдумливі і співчутливі слова вимовлялися сотні і сотні разів, щоб читати і читати їх для вас – але не можу поставити мову розуму у цей задушливий час глибокої скорботи. Лище тихо могу мовити – Ви не на самоті у своїй скорботі від втрати такої людини.
Кріпитимемося.
Richard was always kind, warm, funny, and cheerful at every Ryan family gathering. He loved making Daddy (his Uncle John) laugh. He was so insightful and knowledgeable , we always asked him question after question when we saw him! He was sweet and helpful to my mother and she loved him for it. I really can’t imagine all those Christmases, Thanksgivings, and long lazy summer afternoons not being illumined by his special easy glow. We will keep those happy memories dear. Rest in Peace dear cousin.
Our friend Dick was a very charismatic and knowledgeable person who contributed much to the club, model railroading, and to the railroad industry. Not only for those reasons, but especially for his friendship, members of the Potomac Valley S Gauge Association send our sincere condolences to his family and all his friends as we bid Dick a deeply felt and reluctant farewell. We will all miss him.
DICK was one of my best friends for almost a half a century. He was the best man at my wedding and I did the same for him. He was a prolific talker and storyteller…..he could even out talk me. His railroad experiences provided him with a seemingly endless supply of stories to tell. One of my favorites was that near Williamson, WV there was a huge field of clover. Between that field and Williamson there was a very large colony of honeybee hives. According to Dick, the bees would hitch a ride on the first train out of Williamson each morning and get off the the train at the clover field. When they were full they would hitch a ride home on a returning train. Dick said that confirming the story was possible, there was evidence on the front end of the trains that not all the bees were good at estimating the speed of the train. These stories and his many cat tales were always worth listening to and we will miss them.
My cousin, Dick, was one of the finest, kindest men I have ever known. A devoted son and big brother, faithful nephew and cousin, and proud and dedicated father, Dick was the relative every family would hope to include! He always made holiday gatherings festive and fun with his quick wit and humor. Our family was so appreciative of the time he shared with us, and the countless hours he spent researching our Kelly Family genealogy. We all are far better off for having had George Richard Cataldi in our lives!! God Bless and Keep You, Dick!!!!
Dick was a valued friend for almost 50 years. He was the best man my wedding and I was best man at his. He contributed greatly to the railroad industry, to model railroading in general, and S Scale in particular. He was a prolific talker….he could even out talk me. He had a great variety of stories to tell especially of his time on the railroad. We all will greatly miss him.
From Bill Oertly and Family
I first met Dick when I attended my first PVSGA model railroad club meeting at his house when I was 10, where he made me feel welcome and at home in a room full of adults. He was such a mentor and roll model to me growing up in the club, always making sure to listen, encourage, and happily sharing his endless knowledge. I will forever be grateful for Dick’s friendship, mentorship, and knowledge, and hope I can honor his memory by doing the same for another some day, passing on what Dick taught me. Rest in peace my friend, you will be missed.
Thinking of you today Richard, I miss you so much. You know that I loved you buddy. I haven’t had the heart to do our walk and will need to change the path because I don’t want people stopping me right now asking about you for crying. I want to remember the Richard with the smile, white hair and glasses that I always asked how you could see out of them. I don’t want to remember the sickness and pain you had. You enriched my life and for that I will be eternally grateful. Rest in peace my friend.