Richard Philip Catalini

Calling hours will be on January 1, 2015, New Year’s Day, 1:00-4:00 PM at Brandon Funeral Home 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg. The funeral will be on Friday, January 2, 2015, at 10:00 AM in Ashby Congregational Church, New Ipswich Road, Ashby, MA. Reverend Sally Calhoun and Kenneth Johnson will officiate. A Masonic service will be held during the calling hours. Memorial donations may be sent to Ashby Congregational Church, P. O. Box 126, Ashby, MA 01431, or to a 

 

 



Richard Philip Catalini, 76, of Ashby, beloved husband of Nancy L. (Hargraves) Catalini for 53 years, passed away on Friday December 26, 2014. He was born on May 8, 1938, in Fitchburg, the eldest son of the late Domenic L. and Irma (Holmes) Catalini. In addition to his wife Nancy, Richard is survived by their three daughters and their husbands, Catherine and Timothy Foster of Ashby, Susan and William Collins of Farmington, Connecticut, and Nancy Ellen and Christopher Chew of Ashby, and six grandchildren, Hannah and Nathan Foster, William and Brian Collins, and Caleb and Emilyanne (Millie) Chew. They all love the Red Sox and baseball, just like their Grampy! Richard is also survived by his brother James and Emma Catalini of Bradenton, FL, his two brothers-in-law, Robert and Ellen Hargraves of Groton, and James and Linda Hargraves of Ashby, and sister-in-law Jean Hargraves of Gardner. He was predeceased by his brother John Catalini and brother-in-law John (Jack) Hargraves.Richard graduated from Ashby High School in 1956, then attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, graduating in 1960 with a Bachelor in Business Administration degree. While there, he was a walk-on pitcher for the varsity baseball team in 1959 and 1960. Richard served for six years with the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a sharp shooter and radio operator, driver of the CO, and headquarters office manager. Following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Richard was honored to be selected to be in the Honor Guard at the State House in Boston, MA.Richard played semi-pro baseball in the Blackstone Valley Baseball League (1960-1963) where he had a pitching record of 35 wins and 9 losses. Their team in Leominster won the championship each year. He coached junior and senior Babe Ruth baseball teams, played 11 years of softball in the Village League, and umpired high school and semi-pro baseball for MA Baseball Umpires Association for 8 years. Richard had a lifelong love of sports. Richard’s career consisted of employment at Safety Fund National Bank, Wilson Oil Co. and Peterborough Oil Co., Lunenburg Credit Union, and most recently as Co-Owner of Ashby Oil Co. He organized and served as Treasurer, President, and Director of the Ashby Community Federal Credit Union for 10 years.He was a proud member of the St. Paul and Aurora Lodges of Masons, Aleppo Lodge of Shriners, Ashby Square and Compass Club, Oak Hill Country Club, Ashby Congregational Church, Ashby Alumni Association, New England Fuel Institute, Mass Oil Heat Council, and National Association of Notaries Public. Richard served his hometown of Ashby in many ways over the years, including as a Selectman, an Election Teller, and as Chairman of the Police Chief Search Committee and the Town Administrator Search Committee. He also served Ashby Congregational Church as a Trustee, Treasurer and filling in for the pastor occasionally with his famous baseball homily.Before losing his keen eyesight in later years, Richard enjoyed golf, bowling, coin collecting, baseball card and memorabilia collecting. He and Nancy also enjoyed researching their family trees, spending time with their grandchildren, and having breakfast at Cliff’s in Townsend. They went to Red Sox Spring Training in Florida, and while they enjoyed their time with friends down South, they were happiest at home in Ashby with loved ones nearby. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/fitchburg/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=173633464#sthash.qsfAEbDY.dpuf