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Rosa Anna Catalano

October 1st, 1932 - July 29th, 2024

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Johnny’s life pretty much changed when Rosa Tarantino, a beautiful teenager from Mondello, Sicily, caught his eye.  She couldn’t speak a word of English. Johnny boldly told a friend, “I am going to marry that girl”, even though he had not yet met her.  He tried to be cool in approaching her for the first time, but she completely ignored him, which I am sure temporarily crushed his male ego. However, Johnny vowed to marry her and pursued her with charm until she finally acknowledged his existence.  Thus begins the lives of Johnny and Rosa.

 

Johnny and Rosa were married on January 5, 1949.  I remember the early years of their marriage and the struggles they went through financially.  After all, they were very young, with little or no assets and little outside help.  With much love and a lot of great pasta, they overcame adversity and prevailed.  During the day, John worked for Mission Linen Supply.  He eventually worked his way up as manager of the Monterey District.  At night, he would don his hat as a musician working at the Blue Ox, Biff’s, or the Lodge at Pebble, any one of the many venues on the Peninsula.  On the other hand, Rosa was doing her share, working hard and building a network in the food service industry.  Their story is classic - people who rise from meager beginnings, work, love, and pray to achieve their dreams. Their restaurant called “Cibo” is a testament to their business success.

 

We have so many memories from our early life before kids - Cesca and Frank together with Rosa and Johnny at the beach or when our wives came with us to many of our gigs out of town. we would have such wonderful, memorable times.

 

Rosa and Johnny both treated the Nuovo family as their family. So much love, affection and support. I remember the sincere warmth Rosa always shared and the appreciation for our family and the history of John and Frank as dear lifetime friends. The Monterey community benefited so much from their contributions, both individually and together. Rosa and Johnny are part of the soul of the city of Monterey. The original Monterey on which so much of this community is based.

 

During Johnny’s long and painful illness, I watched my dearest and best friend suffer so much.  But I also had the opportunity to witness true love and devotion.  I saw a husband struggling to tell his wife how much he loved her and a wife constantly caressing and telling her husband how much she loved him.  Rosa was at his side 24 – 7.  She fed and cared for him at home until the moment of his death.  I admire Rosa so much for taking such good, loving care of my lifetime friend Johnny.  It proves to me how strong love and the power of the Holy Spirit can drive a person during trying times.  Although Johnny could not speak to me during my later visits, he always greeted me with a great ear-to-ear smile, which made me very happy.

 

Rosa loved her husband, family, friends, God, church, and serving others.

Rosa was a dedicated daughter; she took care of her widowed mother for 30 years until her death.

 

Rosa was a powerful positive force in their relationship. Much of her survival lessons in life from her childhood made her strong and determined.

 

Rosa was ambitious and determined to rise from the poverty she experienced as a youngster in Sicily during World War II.

 

She was a fine cook and fulfilled one of her dreams by opening her prominent restaurant, Cibo.

 

She and her husband, Johnny, were hard-working parents who built a fine legacy for their family. She is survived by her sons Bill and Mario, and grandchildren John, Chiara, Ariana, and Siena.

 

She will be missed

 

*There will be a mass at San Carlos Cathedral on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14th, at 9:30 am, followed by the burial at San Carlos Cemetery

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