Erasimo "Ras" Cattolico

Erasimo “Ras” Cattolico, beloved husband, father, Nanu, teacher, carpenter, fisherman, and friend, passed away on August 18, 2026, at the age of 75. He was born on September 19, 1950 to Victor & Carmen (Papetti) Cattolico he was their youngest child and only boy.

Ras grew up in Pittsburg, California, where he attended St. Peter Martyr School before graduating from Pittsburg High School in 1968. A gifted and standout football player, Ras continued his passion for the game at the collegiate level. He attended Idaho State University on a football scholarship before transferring to Utah State University, where he continued to play football and ultimately earned his college degree.

Ras lived a life filled with hard work, adventure, family, and dedication to others. He loved to hunt and fish. He worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska for Trident Seafoods, where he fished for sockeye salmon aka “Reds” from a young boy with his father. Later, he was the Captain of his own boat the ‘Miss Danee’ and then the ‘Miss Morgan’. He worked as a carpenter for Rainbow Homes & A.D. Seeno, using his skills and hands to build, repair, and create. He was a hardworking man who took pride in whatever he put his mind to.

One of Ras’s greatest passions was teaching. He joined the Pittsburg Unified School District in 1998, beginning his teaching career at Central Junior High School, which later became Rancho Medanos Junior High School. He remained there until his retirement in 2020, dedicating more than 20 years to his students and school community. As a teacher, Ras made a lasting impact on countless young people and colleagues who will remember him for years to come.

To his family, however, Ras was so much more than a teacher, fisherman, or carpenter. He was Dad, and to his grandchildren, he was lovingly known as Nanu. He was a strong presence in their lives and a source of love, wisdom, stories, and memories that they will carry with them forever.

Ras was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kay Susan Cattolico, who passed away on April 26, 2026. Their love and life together were at the heart of their family. After sharing many years together, Ras and Kay are now reunited, just months after her passing.

Ras will be deeply missed by his family, including his children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, former students, and colleagues. His memory will live on through the lessons he taught, the things he built, the stories he shared, and the love he gave so freely to those around him.

For those who knew him as Ras, Dad, or Nanu, he was one of a kind—and he will never be forgotten. He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor & Carmen Cattolico, sisters Jeannie Phillips, Roseanne Lazio, & wife Kay (Belleci). He is survived by his sister Vicki (Edmund/Herk) Linscheid, his daughter Danee’ and son-in-law Eddie Zamora, sons Victor (Dylan), John Cattolico, his Shih Tzu, Bella his granddaughters Morgan and Cameron Zamora, and sister and brother in law Francesca “Cesca” (Belleci) and Ronny Aliotti

Rest peacefully, Rasmo. Give Mom a hug for all of us. Until we meet again.