John Jack Gregory Caterina, Sr

SCARBOROUGH - John Gregory Caterina, Sr. (Jack), 85, formerly of South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, died December 31, 2011 at the Maine Veteran's Home in Scarborough. Born January 21, 1926, he was the son of Anthony E. and Mary Hopkins Caterina. He was lovingly raised by his stepmother, Doris H. Caterina. A native of Portland, Mr. Caterina grew up on Munjoy Hill where he and his older brother, Francis, sold newspapers, caddied at the Portland Country Club, and delivered lunches to the longshoremen to help the family during the depression. At a young age, Mr. Caterina joined the Portland Boys Club as one of its early members. He fondly recalled his time at the Boys Club his whole life and credited the program with giving him direction and a love of sports during his youth. "They kept me out of jail," he frequently joked. In February 2009, Mr. Caterina was recognized by the Club as one of their oldest surviving members. A multisport standout at Portland High School, Mr. Caterina graduated early in December 1943 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in the South Pacific on the light cruiser, USS Pasadena, seeing action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, the Philippines campaign, and the Invasion of the Japanese Homeland. His ship was anchored next to the USS Missouri at the signing of the surrender that ended WWII. The ship was among the first ships and crews to enter Occupied Japan and to spend time in Tokyo. He spoke frequently of the sorry state of Tokyo and the welcome they received from a population thoroughly tired of war. Upon return to the States, Mr. Caterina returned to school on the GI Bill and received an associate degree in business. He later earned a Certificate in Banking from Williams College. Mr. Caterina worked in banking his entire life, starting with ownership of the Lewiston/Auburn Credit Bureau, and then through a long career with Canal National Bank and Pepperell Trust in Biddeford. As a member of the South Portland Planning Board in the 1960's and 1970's which planned and developed the Maine Mall, Mr. Caterina played an instrumental role in the development of a crucial area of the city. An avid golfer, Mr. Caterina was a member of the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth and the Biddeford-Saco Country Club in Saco. Mr. Caterina married Mary Ann Bennett in 1954 in South Portland where they resided with their three children for many years. Mrs. Caterina died in November, 1999. Mr. Caterina is survived by his daughter, Jean-Marie Caterina, her husband, Geoff MacLean and granddaughter, Caterina MacLean; his daughter, Jane Caterina Greer, her husband, Larry Greer, and grandson, Michael Greer; and son John G. Caterina, Jr. and granddaughters, Alicia Caterina and Carmen Caterina. He also leaves behind two brothers, Albert and Robert, and many nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, January 7, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Bartholomew's Church, 8 Two Lights Road, Cape Elizabeth. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. As it was his great desire that other children would benefit from the opportunity that the Club gave him, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Portland, P.O. Box 7830, Portland, ME 04112. The family would also like to thank the Maine Veteran's Home, Aging Excellence, Mickey Higgins, Rakefet Kahn, and neighbors Tony and Sally Wagner for the wonderful care given to their father in his declining years. It is greatly appreciated.Online condolences may be expressed below.