It breaks my heart to inform everyone that we lost my Dad, Ernie Caterino, last night. Last Thursday, he went to the hospital because of an enlarged spleen, and we were waiting to hear if he would need surgery. After the hospital ran tests, they came back with results we never could’ve expected. They told us my Dad also had stomach cancer, and his liver and kidneys were failing at a rapid rate. Because of how fast his organs were failing, they couldn’t perform surgery or start chemotherapy because his body wouldn’t have been able to fight it. Words can’t describe how hard it was to watch my Dad decline the way he did in such a short period of time, and our family is absolutely devastated.

If you knew my Dad, he loved to sing and make people laugh. If you didn’t know him, he was the guy with the sunglasses walking down Salmon Street, smiling and singing at least once a week, putting everyone around him in a better mood. Because this was completely unexpected, we didn’t have any time to emotionally or financially prepare. The funds raised will help us cover funeral expenses and give my Dad the farewell he deserves.

We are so appreciative and grateful to anyone who can help or keep our family in your thoughts through this difficult time. Your support means the world to us.