Anthony Sebastian Catanese

A Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. Anthony Sebastian Catanese will be at 11 am Tuesday, November 20, 2018, at The Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Natchitoches with Rev. Luke LaFleur serving as celebrant.   Entombment in the Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum will follow the Mass.  The family will receive friends from 5 pm until 7 pm on Monday, November 19, 2018, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home of Natchitoches.  A wake service will be held at 7 pm on Monday the 19th in the funeral home chapel. Tony, 105 years of age and a life-long resident of Natchitoches, passed away on November 16, 2018.  He was born January 25, 1913, to Sicilian immigrants, Rosario, and Constance Maggio Catanese.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Rose Marie Foshee Catanese, his parents, and his siblings, Angelina Cush, Rosalie Jaccuzzo, Rose Catanese, and Gussie Catanese. Tony was a business owner and operated his family’s business, Catanese Grocery and Dry Goods, for many years.  He was a magician at heart and loved to perform tricks and entertain his customers and salesmen on a daily basis in his store.  He also enjoyed performing for local schools and civic organizations like the Moose Lodge and Woodmen of the World.   Tony was the oldest Louisiana member of Woodmen of the World organization.  A devout Catholic, he was deeply rooted in his faith.  A member of Immaculate Conception, he also attended at Holy Cross, where he served as an usher for many years.  Tony was a kind, gentle, and loving person who would always put the needs of others ahead of his own needs.  He will be dearly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter, Linda Cockrell and husband Robert S. Cockrell, Sr.; grandchildren, Robert Cockrell, Jr. and wife Michelle, Brent Cockrell, and Brian Cockrell and wife Jennifer;  and great-grandchildren, Klara Marie Cockrell, Kaylie Erin Cockrell, Hannah Elizabeth Cockrell, Natalie Elise Cockrell, and Andrew Michael Cockrell. Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Chris Maggio, Paul Rinehart, Henry Maggio, Sam Roy Fulco, Jimmy Gunter, and Neil Bennett.  Honorary pallbearers will be Henry “Buddy” Maggio, John Maggio, Terry Brown, Joey Cush, Greg Cush, and Merlin Squires.