Joseph “Joe” John Catto
Joseph “Joe” John Catto of League City, TX, entered eternal rest on August 29, 2025, at the age of 91, with his devoted and loving wife of 65 years by his side. He was born in New York City to Joseph Catto and Theresa (Gillio) Catto on April 20, 1934.
He is predeceased by his parents and leaves behind his beloved wife, Concetta “Connie” Rose (Gariti) Catto of League City, TX; his sister, Jean Jester and her husband Roger of Tarpon Springs, FL; three children: Joan Marie Evans and her husband Christian Castanien of Tiki Island, TX, Joseph John Catto of Bluffton, SC, Anthony Joseph Catto and his wife Cheryl (Mills) Catto of Euless, TX; and a granddaughter, Mary Rose (Evans) Smith and her husband Matthew of The Woodlands, TX.
Raised in Brooklyn, New York, by second-generation Italian immigrants, Joe pursued higher education, earning a finance degree from Fordham University and an MBA from Seton Hall. He held positions including Corporate and International Credit Manager and Director of Transportation, later consulting for logistics firms. While living in New Jersey, he was an active resident of Hanover Township including coaching Little League baseball, a member of The Knights of Columbus, and a parishioner and CCD teacher at Notre Dame of Mt. Carmel in Cedar Knolls. He taught finance courses at Farleigh Dickinson University and volunteered at SCORE, offering business advice to entrepreneurs.
Joe and Connie lived in Morris County, NJ, for over five decades before moving to Hilton Head Island, SC, and most recently League City, TX. His interests included playing golf with friends, supporting New York sports teams, jazz music, Broadway performances, and visiting museums. He also enjoyed researching new restaurants in all the places they visited, where many family occasions were celebrated, always beginning with a toast thanking all for gathering, good food, and lots of laughs. Joe was well known for his sense of humor, telling jokes and stories from the good old days.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at a future date. To honor Joe, donations may be made to an animal shelter of your choice or to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family thanks the nursing staff at Grand Living at Tuscan Lakes for their care and support as well as the ICU care teams at UTMB Galveston and Clear Lake Hospitals.
Mr Catto was always jovial telling jokes and bringing laughter to all that surrounded him. His love for family…including Archie Bunker…were ALL~WAYS most important to him. May he rest in Gods kingdom and may his spirit live in infamy. Sending the entire Catto family my love, support and prayers.
Thank you, Joe Catto for being in our lives. Can’t ever forget our friends, the Catto’s, our friends from New Jersey. My husband Al and Joe played a lot of golf and tennis together . The Joseph’s and
the Catto’s spent many New Year’s Eve s together along with many summer outings.
Joe was the ever present host and sort of an MC (He was always so full of facts and information)
I know my children and I will never ever forget some of the best memories they had and I had being in Joe’s and Connie’s lives.
I like to believe that you’re up with Al in heaven doing a lot of joke exchanging,etc. CC
I can’t even put into words how sorry Mary and I were to get the news this morning of Joe’s passing. It’s truly a gut punch. We loved him so much and always enjoyed his company, particularly his quick wit. My parents also loved him, and even when my Mom (Vivian) was well down the road in her dementia journey, the mention of the name “Chetti-and-Joe” (because it was always one name to her) would register with her, and she’d say, “Oh, yeah, Chetti-and-Joe—how ARE they? That Joe, oh my God, he makes me laugh.” And she’d laugh. Love from us to all of you who are also mourning his loss. (This news just sucks. 😢)
I have so many fond memories of Uncle Joe and the Catto family! I remember our family outings to Bavarian Manor and all other occasions when our families got together! He was always quick to make me laugh and smile, and I truly enjoyed the beautiful relationship our families had throughout the years! We will miss you Uncle Joe, and I know you and my dad are sharing a cigar and cocktail while playing golf I. Heaven.
What can I say… My Uncle Joe was a great man – who will be missed by all who had the honor and privilege to know him. I will always treasure the special memories I had of playing golf and tennis with two men that I greatly admired, respected & loved, my Dad & Uncle Joe. We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs. And when it is my time to shuffle off my mortal coil, and if I am lucky enough to pass thru the pearly gates, I hope that the first words out of their mouths when I see them is, “grab your clubs, we’ve got a 10 am tee time at Heaven’s Gate CC.”
Sending my heartfelt condolences to the entire Catto family – although your beloved husband, father & grandfather has passed – he will never be forgotten. He truly was one of a kind…
Joe was a dear friend. I met him at a seminar in New York in 1968. He was a mentor to me and instrumental in my life and career. He will be missed by everyone he came into contact with. I have so many memories of him and Connie. Susan and I send our condolences to Connie and family. He was one of the really good guys. Rest in peace. Jerry and Susan Cioci
Joan I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My sincere condolences to you Mary your mom and your brothers.
thank you Carol. Appreciate your kind words.
L
J
We only lived next door for a year in the early 70’s, yet our parents became lifelong friends and travel buddies…incredible. Coming from Louisiana, Joe was everything you’d expect in a NY-NJ Italian. Fast talker, nonstop, forever…but always with humility and humor (so much humor). You were always left with a smile. Connie is still one of the sweetest ladies I have ever known. Please give her my heartfelt condolences. I remember family hockey on a pond in the woods; lobster, clams, corn steamed on the patio; playing cards around the kitchen table late into the night, the Louisiana road trip. God bless you all. Rest in peace Joe.