Morristown remembers Councilman Tony Cattano

Colleagues and friends are mourning Morristown Councilman Anthony Cattano Jr., who died Tuesday after a battle with cancer, as a congenial man whose greatest legacy will be the generations of young baseball and basketball players that he coached.

“Tony was one of the long time leaders of Morristown, serving the town for years.  He was most proud of coaching our youth, which he did for decades.  We’ve lost a piece of Morristown history,” said former Councilman Dick Tighe.

Ed France coached against Tony’s Little League team, sponsored by the Morris Township police, in the 1980s.  “He was really good with kids, with ballplayers. He knew how to treat them, he never belittled them,” Ed said.

The son of a former Morristown mayor, Tony Cattano coached Little League baseball for more than 30 years–a dugout is named for him at Burnham Park–and he won 100 straight games as a basketball coach in a league at St. Margaret’s Church, said Ed Ramirez, a longtime neighbor who regarded Tony as a brother.

They met in 1982, shortly after Ed moved to Morristown from California. Ed went to buy his daughter a gift at Cattano Jewelers — formerly at the corner of Washington Street and High Street, which was renamed Cattano Avenue to honor Tony’s dad, a former mayor.

“He always remembered a name and a face. He was one of those guys who could make friends and friendships that would last forever,” Ed said of Tony.  They were from different parties–Ed ran unsuccessfully for council as a Republican–but politics never interfered with their friendship.

Tony, who was 63, was diagnosed seven months ago with lung cancer, which spread quickly through his body, Ed said. The councilman underwent surgery on his brain stem a few weeks ago, Ed said.  Tony was unable to attend council meetings this year, but participated occasionally by telephone. He had to give up coaching a few years ago, Ed said, because of a lung condition. After the store closed, Tony worked at a marina at Lake Hopatcong, according to his friend.

The six-time council president served from 1994-’97, and from 2002 to the present, said town Clerk Matt Stechauner. Tony would have been up for re-election next year.

Past and present colleagues remembered Tony Cattano as a soft-spoken, popular figure.

Councilwoman Alison Deeb, the only Republican on the governing body, praised him for his bipartisanship and even-handed way of dealing with people as the longtime council president.

“When debates or discussions get heated, and they do, Tony as council president has a natural way of presiding over others and situations in a way not to alienate, separate or divide but to bring the matter to effective closure, to be fair and to find the common ground. His mild manner will be missed but never forgotten,” the councilwoman said.

Alison remembered a jam-packed council meeting during the Christmas season earlier in her term, when the council was debating switching healthcare providers.

“Tony purposely waited to vote, calling a special meeting just so everyone could speak. He didn’t rush the vote. He is a patient person and councilperson… My deepest sympathies to the Cattano family at this difficult time and may Tony’s contribution of volunteerism and caring for his community be a model for others wishing to pursue public service,” Alison said.

Councilwoman Rebecca Feldman said she “will miss Councilman Cattano’s warmth, humor and light hand with the council president’s gavel. Let’s pray together for comfort for Tony’s family, and for all who mourn.”

“Tony was an icon in Little League baseball and basketball. He just resonated with many, many people,” said former Mayor Jay DeLaney, who visited the dying councilman on Saturday.  “It was a difficult visit. He clearly was in the last stages of his life. I knew Tony for a long time as a very vibrant, happy person, with a love of life and love of people. He was a great, nice person.”

“Everybody liked Tony. I don’t know anyone who ever said a bad word about him, and he rarely said a bad word about anybody,” said former Mayor Donald Cresitello. “He was a loyal elected official to the people, and to me as mayor. He was always there to help me.”

Councilwoman Raline Smith-Reid said Tony’s grandchildren were the joy of his life. “I would see it in his smile when we talked about them. Heaven’s gates are now open to a wonderful man and a true champion of Morristown. It was a pleasure to serve and learn from my faithful colleague,” she said.

“Morristown lost an icon,” said Andrew Cattano, Tony’s cousin. “Tony cared very much about Morristown. He put in countless hours coaching baseball and basketball, in addition to his political life. He touched many lives.”

Tony narrowly missed a chance to follow in his father’s footsteps as mayor; he lost a close primary race to Norman Bloch in the ’90s.

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