Bernard Frank Cataldi

Bernard (Ben) Frank Cataldi January 30th, 1943 - December 26th, 2025 Ben Cataldi, age 82 years, died December 26th, 2025, after a long battle with life. A favorite saying of Ben's when he was ready to leave a place was "let's blow this pop stand". His family imagines that's exactly what he must have said to himself before passing peacefully in his home surrounded by his family who loved him so very much. Ben was predeceased by his partner of 20 years, Lauren Coddington. He has missed her terribly since she left, and it brings his family great comfort knowing they are reunited. Ben was also preceded in death by his older brother, Joe Cataldi by 10 weeks (which seems like a big brother sort of thing to do). Joe (survived by his wife Rose and daughter Candice) and Ben were only siblings of Joe and Dorothy Cataldi and stayed in touch throughout life connected by their various mutual interests. Ben was a man who valued integrity and had such a great sense of responsibility. He never made a promise he could not keep. He lived a life of service to his family and fellow humans. From 1965 until his honorable discharge as Sergeant in 1967, Ben served his country as an Armor Crew Member in the United States Army stationed in Korea. He was incredibly proud and fond of this time in his life. Ben would continue his service with the Macomb County Sheriff's Department, hiring in as a TurnKey in 1974. He went on to become a deputy and ultimately retired a Sergeant in 1998. Ben shared a unique bond with his fellow first responders, and kept in touch with his dear friend Eddie Colorida. We are grateful Ben's stories and memories live on in Eddie's heart. One of Ben's greatest pleasures in life was cooking with his "partner in crime", Lauren. He called himself her sous chef, happily chopping as the kitchen was filled with tantalizing aromas. Ben's kids will attest that they would prefer dad's house for dinner versus the finest of restaurants. The food was just better. Ben's talents were not limited to cooking. There are countless stories of Ben helping friends and family with house projects, fixing cars, you name it. Ingenuity is not the only gift he passes on to live in his children. Ben was the master of owning up to his mistakes and doing his best to rectify them. He liked to tell it like he saw it on any given topic, holding fast to what he believed yet without depriving another of their own beliefs. Ben shared a close bond with his only grandchild, Megan Strube. From the time Megan was a baby, Papa would babysit often. Megan will never forget Papa driving her to the bus stop in the "spaceship" and waiting for the bus by their pet rock. Ben is survived by the mother of his children, Nancy Cataldi, son Michael Birkholz (Heather Birkholz), daughter Michelle Strube (Curt Strube), and granddaughter Megan Strube. We love you endlessly and are taking all the best of you with us to live on through us. "Let's be careful out there"

Bernard Frank Cataldi

January 30, 1943 - December 26, 2025