Domenico "Dominic" Cataldo

Domenico “Dominic” Cataldo, 80, of Elkhart, passed away Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Elkhart General Hospital. He was born September 13, 1940 in Gerace, Italy to Giuseppe and Teresa Cataldo. On October 25, 1969, he married the love of his life, Sarita Heeter, at St. Vincent’s Catholic Church in Elkhart.

Dominic believed in the value of hard work and was an entrepreneur at heart. He came to the United States at the age of 21. With a 5th grade education and little knowledge of the English language, he took a job in an RV factory. He purchased a lawn mower and started cutting grass when he wasn’t working in the factory. He eventually got enough customers and equipment to mow lawns full time. In 1980, he and Sarita opened Vesuvio’s Pizza with his brother-in-law. Dominic worked tirelessly day and night to provide “a better life than he had” for his family, whom he loved more than life itself.

Dominic could often be found working in his garden or in his basement kitchen. He loved making homemade wine, sausage, soppressata, and capicola and was happy to teach anyone who wanted to learn. He also loved to fry up jalapenos, and eggs and onions which he thought was a much needed complement to any meal. Dominic’s favorite spot though was probably at the kitchen table. He loved people; spending time and sharing food with them was how he showed he cared. On any given day of the week, you could find him and Sarita hosting family, friends, or complete strangers who would later become good friends.

Dominic accomplished so much in his life but nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his eighteen grandchildren. Whether he was pulling weeds with them in the garden, playing a round of cards, watching them play sports, or sharing a meal around the dinner table - the activity did not matter as long as they were together. In 2017, Dominic fulfilled his lifelong dream of taking his whole family to Italy. The highlight was spending the last week in his hometown touring his childhood home and farm. From these valuable times together, his grandchildren learned Italian tradition, the importance of hard work and generosity to others.

Dominic had a zest for life like no other. He was the ultimate practical joker. He loved tricking new comers to his table by giving them a hot pepper and telling them “it’s not hot.” He told jokes to anyone who would listen. Even if you didn’t understand the punchline, you would be laughing by the end of the joke because of his contagious laughter. His infectious smile and lighthearted demeanor will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving are his wife of 51 years, Sarita; his children: Joseph (Autry) Cataldo of Niles, MI, Teresa (David) Gauvreau of San Diego, CA, Giovana (Lonnie) Heeter of Granger, Massimo Cataldo of Granger; his grandchildren: Dominic, Michael, Catherine, Claire, Anne, Anthony, Mary, and Lucy Cataldo; Isabella, Mariella, Paul, Anabelle, Nora, and David Gauvreau; Cecilia, Nico, and Emila Heeter; and Domenico Cataldo; brother, Paolo Cataldo of Italy and sister, Maria Lizzi of Elkhart. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Paul, sisters, Concetta Siciliano and Anna Lizzi and brothers Antonio and Bruno Cataldo.

Visitation will be from 2 to 7 pm Tuesday Aug. 10, 2021 at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, 1531 Cobblestone Blvd., Elkhart, IN 46514 and one hour prior to the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am Wednesday Aug. 11, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 52553 Fir Road, Granger, IN 46530.  Fr. William Schooler will be officiating. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger.

Memorials may be given to the Italian American Heritage Society scholarship fund at https://italianamericanhs.org

Online condolences may be made at www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com

Live stream the services at: www.StPius.net or https://www.google.com/url?q=http://facebook.com/StPiusGranger&source=gmail-imap&ust=1629113773000000&usg=AOvVaw3mLt35DzXuICJAhZXracWh