James Catalano, Jr.

The door opened. There stood in front of me this fragile looking man. His smile wore from ear to ear. I said, “Hi. My name is Melissa” “Hi. My name is Jim” was his reply. Both of us not realizing the journey that lie ahead. A simple “Hi” bonded two souls forever. From Jim I learned never judge a book by it’s cover. Although fragile to the eye, Jim was as strong as a Buck. I chose this animal because a male deer may look somewhat weak, the deer is not especially worried or afraid. Some have said they can be a nuisance by their eating. What stood out the most though, a deer can total a vehicle if it were hit but simply get up and walk or run away. You may be asking why have you compared Jim to such a strong animal. For one, Jim was never worried or afraid. He was the most humble man I ever knew. Every Monday and Friday Jim and I did our Watchtower and meeting workbook together. Two things I’ll never forget because of Jim’s constant reminders, Jehovah’s name was in the Bible over 7,000 times and when Jim prayed, he always thanked Jehovah for his undeserved kindness. Now go back to the Buck for a second, do you recall how I mentioned they can be a nuisance by their eating. Well like most witnesses, Jim loved his food. It did not matter what was placed in front of him. He enjoyed every last bite that was on his plate with no complaints. Now let’s talk about Jim’s strength. Physically Jim showed me how to do the “Rock and Roll”. If any of you are familiar with sports, this is one of the exercises the players do in their routine. Picture the scene- An 80 year old male who has had a stroke at the age of 8, wearing a paralyzed arm in addition to a limping leg, placing himself on the floor to show me how to do the “Rock and Roll”. Put it this way, I needed his help to get back up off the floor. Let’s talk now about Jim’s life. Growing up Jim loved to play football which he did often with the much older kids in Massachusetts, where Jim grew up. This would cause Jim’s mishap that led to his first stroke. Jim suffered mental abuse for many years by his father, but Jim’s mother who was one of Jehovah’s witnesses shared with him the love he needed to grow into the man he became as an adult. Jim loved his nieces. They would tease him while he would chase them and entertain them most days. As Jim became a man he studied the Truth with Steve Renard. His niece Karen Thibeault, would also learn the Truth as they grew ever closer. As years passed so did Jim’s health. Amazingly Jim never stopped sharing the Good News to all who came in his path. From staff, to nurses, to doctors, even residents where his final days were, Jim spoke of Jehovah proudly. I have gained so much by that first, “Hi”. Spiritually I’ll never forget Jehovah’s name or that it was in the Bible over 7000 times. When I pray, I always thank Jehovah for his undeserved kindness. This is just to name a few. Because Stacey Finch referred me to Karen Thibeault, I now have a forever best friend. So you see Jim may have fallen asleep in death, but he gave me so much because of his time here on Earth and all from a simple, “Hi, my name is” Revelation 21: 3,4 With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his people. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” A memorial talk will be given on Sunday April 4, 2021 at 12:00 noontime Join Zoom Meeting James Catalano https://jworg.zoom.us/j/92320871670?pwd=aC9LYTUrVXUzaTRlQ2pYdlRqZFZ3QT09 Meeting ID: 923 2087 1670 Passcode: jw1914