Joseph J. Cattelino

DULUTH, Minn. - Joseph J. Cattelino, 86, of Saxon, Wis., died peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at Essentia Health-St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, with his loving family by his side.

He was born Aug. 1, 1929, in Gile, Wis., son of the late Joseph and Mary (Gallo) Cattelino, and graduated from J. E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1948. He then was a self-employed trucker prior to moving to Saxon in 1956.

He was married to the former Patricia A. Allen on May 29, 1956, in Madison, Wis. Together with his wife Pat, they operated the Jopac Farm on U.S 2 in Saxon for many years. There, Joe milked pure-bred registered Holstein cows, produced maple syrup, and raised vegetables. At the family's roadside produce stand, the Jopac Farm Market, he enjoyed meeting customers from across the United States and Canada.

Joe always valued involvement in community, including as a member of the Michigan Milk Producers Association, AI Breeders Association, Iron County Fair Board (where he first met Pat), Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers Association, and as a 40-year member of the National Holstein Association. He served on the Midland Co-op/Cenex Board of Directors and was a former Lions Club member.

A man of deep faith, he was a current member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Saxon and the St. Ann's Service Club, served on the Diocesan Pastoral Council, and was a founding member of the Koinoia Retreat program in the Superior Diocese. When his busy farming schedule allowed it, Joe enjoyed cheering on local talent in high school sports, the arts, and 4-H. Joe was an enthusiastic conversationalist with a ready smile, and he cherished time with family and friends.

Surviving are his wife, Pat, of 59 years; two sons, Robert, Fort Atkinson, Wis., and Michael (Lynn), Appleton, Wis .; two daughters, Mary (John) Beech, Slayton, Minn., and Jessica (Noah Zatz) Cattelino, Culver City, Calif .; eight grandchildren, Katie, Daniel and Samuel Beech, Amy, Nathan and Nicole Cattelino, and Mica and Rosemary Zattelino; a brother, Peter (Ardith), Houghton, Mich .; chosen family Kurt Swendson and Sharron Waszkurak, River Falls, Wis., and Jerry and Janet Rice, Upson, Wis .; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Andrew Joseph Beech; three brothers, Bert, Domenic and John; and a sister, Katie Gotta.

Per Joe's wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 10 a.m., at St. Ann's Church in Saxon, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant. Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Lakeview Cemetery, Saxon.

Luncheon will be served at the Saxon Community Center upon return from the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be directed to the Iron County Fair Association, Kathy Brauer, secretary, 9054W County Road B, Saxon, WI 54559.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood, Mich. Condolences may be expressed online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.