Dr. Russell Joseph Catalano, 91, of Beaumont, passed away on July 15, 2005. He was born June 26, 1914 in Buffalo, New York to Christine and Joseph Catalano.
Dr. Catalano graduated from the University of Buffalo School of Medicine in 1938 and performed his surgical internship and residency at Meyer Memorial Hospital in Buffalo. He joined the United States Army in 1940 to complete his residency and was a field hospital surgeon in the European Theater of Operations from Normandy in France through Belgium until late 1945 in Germany when he returned home as a Major. He completed a second residency in pathology and radiology in 1948, again at Meyer Memorial.
On May 22, 1948, he married Ruth Farrell McCracken in Buffalo. They relocated to Beaumont in 1949 where he practiced Radiology and Nuclear Medicine at both St. Therese and Park Place Hospitals and established a successful private practice. In 1977 he was named Chief Medical Officer and Chief of Radiology for the new V. A. Outpatient Clinic in Beaumont and remained there until his retirement in 1984.
Dr. Catalano was a Diplomat of the American Board of Radiologists and a Fellow of the American College of Radiologists, a member of the Jefferson County Medical Society, the Radiologic Society of North America and Texas, a lifetime member of the Beaumont Rotary Club and the Beaumont Country Club (where he was an avid golfer) and many other civic, medical and social organizations.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Ruth; sons, Don McCracken and his wife Bonnie, and Joey Catalano all of Beaumont; and grandson, D. J. McCracken of Florida. He was predeceased by his daughter, Robbie Stephens, his brother, Fred and sister, Josephine Mack.
The family would like to give special thanks to Dauris Brooks, his caregiver, during his recent illness.
A gathering of his family and friends will be from 5:00 P. M. until 7:00 P. M. Monday, July 18, 2005 at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A memorial service will follow beginning at 7:00 P. M. Monday evening at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Boy’s Haven of Southeast Texas, P. O. Box 5815, Beaumont, Texas 77726; Some Other Place, P. O. Box 843, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or charity of your choice.
