Obituary of Peter DiCataldo

Peter DiCataldo, 79, a longtime resident of Manalapan, NJ, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at home.

Peter was born in 1945 in Newark, NJ. He attended 14^th Ave elementary school and graduated in 1962 from Irvington Vocational and Technical High School in the field of heating and cooling. Peter was employed in 1963 with Esso Humble Oil and Refining Company, later known as ExxonMobil. Peter worked as a Burner Service Mechanic in the heating oil department in Linden, NJ. He was a Navy veteran who served for four years from 1964-1968. During his time in the Navy, he spent eight months aboard the USS Arneb (AKA 56) an attack cargo ship home ported out of Norfolk, Virginia. Peter then went to the Naval training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois, attending Machinist Mate School. After graduating he was assigned to the Destroyer USS Dyess (DD880) home ported out of Newport, RI where he served three years aboard the Destroyer.

While in service he attained the rank E5 Machinist Mate 2^nd class, was awarded the Vietnam Medal with two bronze stars, National Defense medal, and ship commendations, before being honorably discharged. After his enlistment he returned to his former job with Esso (ExxonMobil). Peter held many various jobs within the company including burner service repairman, warehousemen and tractor trailer driver (box and tankers). While working in the wage group, Peter was incredibly involved in Union affairs holding positions as Union representative Metropolitan Distribution Center (MDC) in Bayonne, NJ and Union Vice President (NJEEA). In the 1980’s Peter accepted a position in management becoming a Fleet Supervisor, and then a Fleet Superintendent working in New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before retiring 42 years later in 2005.

Peter took immense pleasure and pride in maintaining his lawn and shrubs. He enjoyed tinkering around in his garage workshop repairing and making things for his friends and family.

Peter was predeceased by his mother and father, Mildred and Charles DiCataldo; daughter Theresa Phillips; two grandchildren Michael Phillips and Tori Cordero; and his two brothers Nicholas and Frank DiCataldo. He is survived by his loving spouse Patricia DiCataldo; his children Tina Cordero (Eusebio), Tammi Kahn (Scott) and Peter DiCataldo (Drew); grandchildren Kevin and Brittany Phillips, John and Vincent Cordero and Caitlin, Christopher and Lia Kahn and great grandson Michael Phillips.

Friends and family are invited to visit on Friday, April 5th from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Freeman Manalapan-Marlboro Funeral Home, 344 Route 9 North.  A Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church, Manalapan, NJ, on Saturday, April 6^th at 10:00AM. Entombment will follow at St. Rose of Lima Cemetery, Freehold. To leave a condolence or find directions, visit www.freemanfuneralhomes.com