Roll Call Tribute
Pete Catalena '67 September 14, 2020 1:45 PM updated: September 14, 2020 2:22 PM
Pete William Catalena
November 12, 1944 - September 9, 2020
Pete William Catalena, 75, passed away in his home on September 9, 2020, in College Station, Texas.
Born on November 12, 1944, in Bryan, Texas, Pete graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1963, and then from Texas A&M University in 1968, with a degree in Business Administration.
After graduation, he served in the National Guard. He lived in Dallas, Florida, and Louisiana, married his wife Linda in 1971, and then moved to Houston. His early professional life included sales, construction, and being a restaurateur.
Eventually Pete and Linda moved back to Bryan, where Pete started Catalena Construction Co. specializing in residential and commercial construction. He was an entrepreneur who rolled with the punches and wasn't afraid to take risks.
Pete's introduction into the payphone business began in 1985. He started Texas Coinphone with eight payphones, and eventually had 1,400 spread across multiple states. The business was sold at the height of the industry in 1997. He and his partner, Dennis Goehring, started the Texas Payphone Association, which grew into a formidable force for the industry. In 1997, he was a founding member of NetNearU and was a pioneer in the internet and Wi-Fi industry. The company was sold to ViaSat in 2014.
Pete was generously involved in his community. He was a founding member of the Brazos County Go Texan Committee, where he also served as president. He was instrumental in starting the Brazos Valley Go Texan Endowed Scholarship, which has since funded 287 local students.
Pete co-founded and choreographed the Catalena Cowgirls to enhance his brother Sammy's rodeo company. The Cowgirls opened the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 10 years and provided support for events involving the Lions Club and the special needs community.
He lived by the mantra "Work hard, play hard," and he shared that passion with his family and friends. If you weren't related by blood, you certainly were by love. He excelled at bringing his visualizations to life, and he was a master woodworker and constructor. When someone came to him with a project he exceeded expectations. Many of his creations are treasured by his friends and family and stand as part of his lasting legacy. He was the mastermind behind the interior woodwork and design of Catalena Hatters and Texas Rose Boutique.
There wasn't a piece of heavy machinery he couldn't operate or break trying.
No matter what he was into, at the end of the day, there wasn't anything he enjoyed more than spending time with family and friends with a good cigar and a smooth glass of scotch.
The visitation is Tuesday, September 15, at Hillier of BRYAN, from 5–8 p.m., with a rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life begins at 11 a.m., on September 16, at the funeral home, with a graveside service to follow.
Pete is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Cody (Lorin) and Brent Catalena (Mandi Autrey); daughter, Brooke Amador (Aaron); grandchildren, Cole, Kate, Caleb, and Charli Catalena, and Lucas, Woods, and West Amador; nephews/nieces, Clay (Sami Jo), Travis, and Scott (Michaela) Catalena; great nephews/nieces, Kember, Hays, and Clara Catalena; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Catalena and Michaele Jackson.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Betty Catalena; and brothers, Sammy and Michael Catalena of Bryan, Texas.
Special thanks to Joyce Martin and the staff of Brazos Valley Hospice for their service to the family.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bryan and Hospice Brazos Valley.
Please visit Pete's tribute page at www.HillierFuneralHome.com to share memories and stories and to get instructions for live streaming.
VISITATION
Tuesday
September 15, 2020
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN
2301 East 29th Street
Bryan, TX 77802
ROSARY & MEMORY SHARE
Tuesday
September 15, 2020
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN
2301 East 29th Street
Bryan, TX 77802
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Wednesday
September 16, 2020
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN
2301 East 29th Street
Bryan, TX 77802
GRAVESIDE
Wednesday
September 16, 2020
12:00 PM
Mount Calvary Cemetery
2811 Old Kurten Road
Bryan, TX 77803
Donations
Hospice Brazos Valley
502 W 26th St., Bryan TX 77803
Tel: 8008242326
Web: https://www.hospicebrazosvalley.org/donate
St. Anthony Catholic Church
401 South Parker, Bryan TX 77803
Tel: 9798238145
Web: https://www.saintanthonys.org/
© 2020 Hillier Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
November 12, 1944 - September 9, 2020
Pete William Catalena, 75, passed away in his home on September 9, 2020, in College Station, Texas.
Born on November 12, 1944, in Bryan, Texas, Pete graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1963, and then from Texas A&M University in 1968, with a degree in Business Administration.
After graduation, he served in the National Guard. He lived in Dallas, Florida, and Louisiana, married his wife Linda in 1971, and then moved to Houston. His early professional life included sales, construction, and being a restaurateur.
Eventually Pete and Linda moved back to Bryan, where Pete started Catalena Construction Co. specializing in residential and commercial construction. He was an entrepreneur who rolled with the punches and wasn't afraid to take risks.
Pete's introduction into the payphone business began in 1985. He started Texas Coinphone with eight payphones, and eventually had 1,400 spread across multiple states. The business was sold at the height of the industry in 1997. He and his partner, Dennis Goehring, started the Texas Payphone Association, which grew into a formidable force for the industry. In 1997, he was a founding member of NetNearU and was a pioneer in the internet and Wi-Fi industry. The company was sold to ViaSat in 2014.
Pete was generously involved in his community. He was a founding member of the Brazos County Go Texan Committee, where he also served as president. He was instrumental in starting the Brazos Valley Go Texan Endowed Scholarship, which has since funded 287 local students.
Pete co-founded and choreographed the Catalena Cowgirls to enhance his brother Sammy's rodeo company. The Cowgirls opened the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for 10 years and provided support for events involving the Lions Club and the special needs community.
He lived by the mantra "Work hard, play hard," and he shared that passion with his family and friends. If you weren't related by blood, you certainly were by love. He excelled at bringing his visualizations to life, and he was a master woodworker and constructor. When someone came to him with a project he exceeded expectations. Many of his creations are treasured by his friends and family and stand as part of his lasting legacy. He was the mastermind behind the interior woodwork and design of Catalena Hatters and Texas Rose Boutique.
There wasn't a piece of heavy machinery he couldn't operate or break trying.
No matter what he was into, at the end of the day, there wasn't anything he enjoyed more than spending time with family and friends with a good cigar and a smooth glass of scotch.
The visitation is Tuesday, September 15, at Hillier of BRYAN, from 5–8 p.m., with a rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. A Celebration of Life begins at 11 a.m., on September 16, at the funeral home, with a graveside service to follow.
Pete is survived by his wife, Linda; sons, Cody (Lorin) and Brent Catalena (Mandi Autrey); daughter, Brooke Amador (Aaron); grandchildren, Cole, Kate, Caleb, and Charli Catalena, and Lucas, Woods, and West Amador; nephews/nieces, Clay (Sami Jo), Travis, and Scott (Michaela) Catalena; great nephews/nieces, Kember, Hays, and Clara Catalena; and sisters-in-law, Carolyn Catalena and Michaele Jackson.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Betty Catalena; and brothers, Sammy and Michael Catalena of Bryan, Texas.
Special thanks to Joyce Martin and the staff of Brazos Valley Hospice for their service to the family.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Bryan and Hospice Brazos Valley.
Please visit Pete's tribute page at www.HillierFuneralHome.com to share memories and stories and to get instructions for live streaming.
VISITATION
Tuesday
September 15, 2020
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN
2301 East 29th Street
Bryan, TX 77802
ROSARY & MEMORY SHARE
Tuesday
September 15, 2020
6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN
2301 East 29th Street
Bryan, TX 77802
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Wednesday
September 16, 2020
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hillier Funeral Home of BRYAN
2301 East 29th Street
Bryan, TX 77802
GRAVESIDE
Wednesday
September 16, 2020
12:00 PM
Mount Calvary Cemetery
2811 Old Kurten Road
Bryan, TX 77803
Donations
Hospice Brazos Valley
502 W 26th St., Bryan TX 77803
Tel: 8008242326
Web: https://www.hospicebrazosvalley.org/donate
St. Anthony Catholic Church
401 South Parker, Bryan TX 77803
Tel: 9798238145
Web: https://www.saintanthonys.org/
© 2020 Hillier Funeral Home. All Rights Reserved.
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