Kenneth Catello, age 63 of Lakeland FL, was born on January 24, 1954 and passed away peacefully after a short illness at Tampa General Hospital on August 28, 2017.
Ken moved to Florida from New York City in 1976 and worked at Piper Aircraft in Lakeland. He received a Bachelors Degree from Florida Southern College in history in 1982, and a Masters degree in education in 1994 from California Polytechnic State University .
He served in the United States Army from 1982-1993. In that time he served as a tank platoon leader, ordinance company commander, and finished out his career as an ROTC instructor at California Polytechnic State University.
Through 1993 – 2014 he taught seventh grade social studies at Lake Gibson Middle School. Then through 2014-2017 he taught A and P aviation maintenance for Travis technical college at Central FL Aviation Academy in Lakeland.
Ken loved photography, woodworking and aviation. He was an incredible husband, father, brother, and friend.
He is survived by his wife Paula, his son Christopher (Sarah), daughter Maria, sister Madeline, and sister JoAnn.
Ken was a kind and generous soul. He was giving to all that he met. And those he met and were fortunate to call him friend were all the better for knowing him. He was a loving husband and father. When he talked about his kids his face lit up with joy and love. He adored you Chris and Maria. So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Donna and Steve Shattuck
The world has lost another greater man. I cherish the memories we have. Rest in peace my dear, sweet friend. I know we will meet again some day in heaven. Until then Kenny, we miss you.
I remember Ken at Capt. Catello. He was always encouraging, teaching, and mentoring the Cadets in Civil Air Patrol. He and Chris were a great father and son team. Thanks for the opportunity to know and learn from you Ken. Your memory will live on.
Thank you very much for his time with us at the CFAA…
I knew Ken from Civil Air Patrol, he used to teach the youth at our local squadron Aerospace Education. As a cadet in the program it was a requirement to promote and advance. Of the three testing requirements to advance in the program aerospace was my least favorite Capt and later Major Catello always found a way to make the subject interesting and enjoyable to follow. I will remember him as my aerospace teacher and I will remember him as a mentor. He has touched many lives not just directly but indirectly by inspiring many of us cadets to teach, lead, and pass on what we have learned. You will be missed Ken. Until we all meet again.
Mr. Catello was the best teacher I’ve ever had. He will always be remembered at CFAA. We plan to name the Airframe Classroom after him. He started the A&P program at Traviss and he’s changed so many lives with his stories and kind heart.
Thank you Mr. Catello.
-Joe
I am so sorry for your lose. He was an amazing teacher and will be greatly missed
I remember Mr catello he was one of my all time favorite teachers at lake gibson. I remember how he used to get so involved in history class one of my fondest memories of him and one I’ll never forget was when he brought his Jeep military tent and gasmask to lg to do a hands on lesson I’m Soo sad to hear he’s passed he was a great teacher
Mr. Catello was my favorite teacher. Such a beautiful, kind soul. You will be missed greatly. Rest in Paradise
Me.Catello was by far my favorite teacher. He’s the reason I got so interested in history. He made learning fun, but also got the point through to us. He was such a sweet man, with many life lessons. I had so much respect for him and everything he’s done. He never turned a child away despite how bad they may have been. You’ll be dearly missed and.Catello. My condolences are with the Catello family.
my favorite teacher can’t believe he’s gone and pass away all hopes with his family wow time flies when I remember him since middle school
I so sorry for your loss. He was my social studies teacher 12 years ago:/ he was a great teacher as well.
He was an amazing teacher he really cared about his students. He was one of the best teachers I had in middle school
Mr.Catello was such a kind man. He taught me in seventh grade, but remained a family friend. He took our family photos and would always check in on us. He always had a smile on his face and loved every minute of teaching. He is the reason I love history so much, he was always telling us stories and helping us better ourselves even at such an early age. He will be dearly missed.
Inhad him for 7th grade and he was my favorite teacher he fought so many life lessons. I was saddened to see he passed I know he had an impact on the lives of everyone he met, and will be deeply missed by all. Rest easy Mr.Capello.
Mr. Catello was such a great teacher when I was in 7th grade. His Social Studies class was always my favorite class I looked forward to going to each day. I’ll never forget those memories and I’ll never forget what a wonderful teacher he was. He was very kind and caring to his students, he loved to teach.
R.I.P Mr. Catello ❤
To say it was a pleasure having Mr. Catello as a teacher is an understatement, he was absolutely amazing. He was one of the few teachers who would make a difference in your education but also open up the idea that there was more to see in the world than the little bubble we call Lakeland. It’s quite funny that I can still remember exactly where I sat in his class and visualize the layout of the room. I will never forget his wonderful photo presentations of the places he’s been to. It really gave me a sense of how much larger the world is. I am deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing and send my condolences to the family.
-Danny Sue C/O 2011 LGHS
Mr. Catello was my homeroom teacher and my history teacher in 7th grade. He was also my favorite. He encouraged my love of history. I send my love and condolences.
This is so sad to hear. Mr.Catello was my favorite history teacher. He made history fun and was the reason why history was my favorite subject. I remember how he would always show slide shows of all the pictures he took throughout the years. This breaks my heart so much. R.I.P sweet man. You will surely be missed. ❤
Mr Catello was an amazing man. As a sad lonely 7th grader new to Florida he was very much my saving grace. His class was the only good thing about my move for a long time. His ability to make history come to life and his compassion shaped my life and is what lead me to the desire to a history teacher. The world was brighter and better with him in it. To the family who stood behind him I’m so deadly sorry for your loss and thank you for helping him be the great man he was.
Mr. Catello was my favorite teacher in 7th grade, and always nurtured my love for history. He was a great, caring man and I will miss him dearly.
Heaven just received a wonderful man who was kind and generous. He was such a good teacher. May he rest in peace and for his kids Chris and Maria I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers will be sent to you and your family.
I’ll never forget the memories our class had back in 7th grade. All the stories about him in the army, and how interesting they were. I’ve never met someone so kind in my entire life, someone treat me so well and always cared about his students. Fly high Mr. Catello, you’re one of the best teachers and mentors I’ve ever had in my entire life. 🤞🏾
Me. Catello was a great man. I had him as my 7th grade social studies teacher and I remember my friend autumn and I were always at his desk talking to him once we finished our work. He will forever be remembered. Rest In Peace Mr.Catello❤️
So sorry to hear this loss he was a great teacher…Paula prayers for you and your loved ones at this time I know we only worked a short period of time at Tractor God bless your family.
I feel immense sorrow at knowing Ken has passed. We were friends in high school and he was an amazing person then I knew was destined for great things. My belated condolences to his family and to all those he touched.