Catalfamo

Salvatore “Sal/Sam” Catalfamo, 90, passed away Friday, July 11, 2025, at his home.

Sam was born April 10, 1935, in Canandaigua, N.Y., and was the son to Joseph and Josephine Sofo Catalfamo.

Sam had dedicated his entire life to athletics and working with children. He attended Canandaigua Academy from 1949 to 1953 and was actively involved in the athletic program, where he played football and basketball and ran track. He was named to the first team all-conference in football. Sam also was active in student council, the Block “C” Club, and performed with the band and chorus. Sam was inducted into the Canandaigua Academy Hall of Fame in 2000.

After a tour in the Army from 1955 to 1958, where he played football and won an Army boxing middleweight championship, Sam enrolled at Slippery Rock State College. While at Slippery Rock, he was actively involved in football and track. In 1962, Sam began a career of teaching and coaching in Brookville, Pa. He later moved to DuBois Central Christian School and completed his teaching career in the Moniteau School District in West Sunbury. During his teaching years, Sam coached baseball, volleyball, wrestling and track. His track team at Moniteau posted, at one point, a winning streak of 63 consecutive dual meet victories. In addition to his coaching career, Sam was a high school and college wrestling official for 22 years. Sam served in the Army Reserve for over 25 years and also loved ballroom dancing, as he and Dorothy were dance instructors for many years.

Sam was married to the former Dorothy Bay, and they are the proud parents of three children, Samuel Catalfamo of Grove City, Angela Tagg (Michael) of Ontario, Ohio, and Jeffrey (Michele) Catalfamo of Shallotte, N.C.; five grandchildren, Nicole (Todd Steffy) Catalfamo, Samantha Catalfamo, Maribeth Cooper (Scott), Nicholas Catalfamo and Mikey Tagg; and one great-grandchild, Henry Cooper. After Dorothy’s passing Sam married Rose Pfieffer Chamberlin Catalfamo and he has stepchildren, Tina (Gregg) Bishop, Sam (Allie Watson) Chamberlin and Stephanie (Jeff) Poulos; and stepgrandchildren, Jacob Bishop, Alex Bishop, Rachel Bishop, Joseph Bishop, Laura (Scott Bancroft) Bishop, Maggie Chamberlin, Quinn Chamberlin, Brody Poulos and Kendall Poulos.

Sal and Rose first met at bingo and then at dance. They both loved dancing and soon signed in as partners so they could dance only with each other. The song they first danced to was “Could I Have this Dance” and this became their song. Sal and Rose were very active with the Ontario Senior Center hosting bingo and dance. He enjoyed playing the slot machines and they often took trips to casinos. He enjoyed playing cards with Rose and their family and he was a great card player, even when he pretended he didn’t know what he was doing to trick us. Sal never missed a birthday dinner, sporting event, concert, dance or fish fry with any of his stepchildren and stepgrandchildren, who he claimed as his own.

CATALFAMO — A funeral Mass for Salvatore “Sal/Sam” Catalfamo, who died Friday, July 11, 2025, will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary of the Snows Catholic Church and visitation will take place two hours prior.

Military honors will take place after Mass, provided by the Richland County Joint Burial Detail.

Burial will take place at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors.

HERLIHY FUNERAL HOME is assisting the family with arrangements.

Please visit www.herlihyfh.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.