11/06/2023
Frank J. Caterini , 81 years old, of Rio Grande, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 1, 2023. Born in Philadelphia on March 23, 1942. From 1946 on, Frank was a lifelong resident of the Wildwoods moving to Rio Grande in 2002, after he retired. At age 14, Frank began working in successive family owned resort businesses in Wildwood, including Johnnie’s Bar, the Riptide Club, and finally managing the MidTown Motel and Cocktail Lounge until its sale in 1999.
Frank was a 1959 graduateof Wildwood High School where he later had a 33 year career as a teacher and administrator, from 1963-1999. After retiring, he returned to serve as Interim Principal and held other administrative positions for the 2004-2005 school year. Additionally, early in his teaching career, he coached football with fellow new teacher, Ralph DiSibio, who became a lifelong friend. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University in 1963 and a Master’s in Education degree from the University of Central Florida in 1976. He served in the U.S. Army from 1966-1969 as a First Lieutenant in Military Intelligence. He was stationed in Vietnam for one year where he earned the Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster and the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. He was a member of the American Legion Post #184, a life member Chapter 955 of Vietnam Veterans of America, and a life member of VFW Post #5941. Frank was an avid golfer and member of the Wildwood Golf & Country Club from 1973-2016. He and his long-time golfing partner, Thomas Sawyer, an ex-student and best friend since the mid-1980s, won the 1994 Men’s League Championship. A lover of classical music and opera, Frank visited famous opera houses in Milan, London, and Paris. He loved playing Bridge at the local bridge clubs and achieved the rank of Bronze Life Master. A devoted family man, loyal friend and selfless individual,
Frank was predeceased by his son Francis Brett, who died from SIDS in 1973 at threemonths old; his mother, Helen Curcio Caterini of Cherry Hill, NJ; his father, John F. Caterini of Wildwood, NJ; his sisters, Donna Caterini of Cherry Hill, NJ and Janyce Caterini of Cherry Hill, NJ; his stepmother, Elaine Caterini of Wildwood, NJ in 2019; and in 2020, his son, John Charles Caterini of Rio Grande, NJ. He is survived by his daughter, Natalie Caterini of Harrington, DE; his sister, Nancy Caterini of Erma, NJ; his sister Corinne (Buddy) Wilczynski of Tampa, FL; and brother Bill (Jill) Caterini of Wildwood, NJ.
A memorial service will be held at Ingersoll Greenwood Funeral Home, 1201 Central Avenue, North Wildwood, NJ 08260 on Saturday November 11, 2023, where friends and family may call from 10:30 am to 11:45 am . Rememberences at 11:45 & U.S. Army Color Guard "Honors"at 12:15 PM. Donations may be made in Franks name to the "Love of Linda Dancer Fund" PO Box 1053 , Wildwood, NJ. Condolences at ingersollgreenwoodfh.com.
