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Donald J. Catté, 90
Donald Jerome Catté, 90, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, June 6, 2018, at The Pacifica Courtyard, his final residence in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Don was born on Sept. 5, 1927, in Detroit, Mich., to Frieda and Joseph Catté, and was raised by his mother’s siblings on Nebraska farms. He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard at age 17 where he was a radar operator in Detroit; did fire training at Treasure Island, Calif.; attended gunnery school in Monterey, Calif.; and did duty on submarine patrol, sea rescue and neutralization of Japanese mines. His ship was the USS Casper, Patrol Frigate #12. On this ship, he received ribbons from the Pacific Asiatic and American theaters of war.
Upon discharge as a Seaman First Class, under the G.I. Bill, he majored in business administration and fire casualty and life insurance at Orange Coast College, in Costa Mesa, Calif. Subsequently, he enrolled in mechanics school at Emily Griffith Opportunity. He became interested in flying and took flight training at Lowry Air Force Base. He met his future wife, Elizabeth Whaley, in meteorology class. In 1950, they were married and resided in Laguna Beach, Calif., when their only child, Meredith, was born in 1952. After 20 years of marriage, he and Elizabeth divorced.
Don spent 45 years in the insurance industry, working in Laguna Beach where he learned to surf, take biking trips abroad and boat down the Colorado River with friends and family. He was then transferred to Frankfurt, West Germany, and, eventually, he was assigned to Hawaii where he became a north shore surfer at Waimea Bay. Don fully admitted that surfing in the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean was always his first love in life.
His fondness of the ocean brought him back to San Diego, Calif., where he lived until 2012 before he moved to Coeur d’Alene to live near his daughter, Meredith Catté. While residing at the Heritage Apartments where he easily made new friends, Don joined the Over 55 Singles Group, and enjoyed playing cards and other activities. He was introduced to Evalyn Adams, and they shared dancing at the Eagles and doing many things together, including cruise trips and other vacations. Don liked helping people, so he volunteered at the Coeur d’Alene Library for a couple of years, and also at the Kootenai Medical Center where he performed a variety of tasks to assist patients.
A highlight of his life occurred in 2015, when he was invited to attend the Veterans Honor Flight to Washington D.C. to visit war memorials and historic places. In February, 2018, he flew to Costa Rica with Evalyn for his last swim in the warm waters of the blue Caribbean, although he was too frail to surf. Due to his failing heart condition, Don recently moved to The Courtyard assisted living facility where many nice folks attended to his needs and friends came to visit. Before his final month, he felt better for a while and enjoyed several restaurant dinners, attended a movie theater and went boating on Lake Coeur d’Alene.
In addition to his excellent daily care at The Courtyard, Don’s family is very grateful to his nurses and aides from Hospice of North Idaho, who provided him with much kindness and professional medical care at the end of his life. Don’s family also greatly appreciated the visits from No One Should Die Alone (NOSDA) volunteers, who spent many hours at his bedside during his last week.
Don will always be remembered for his friendly smile, humor, cheerful nature, and love for surfing, dancing, and friendships.
He is survived by his nieces, Kathleen Hirschstein and Carolyn Schleif; nephew, David Nightingale; and best friend, Evalyn Adams. Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard; and daughter, Meredith Catté.
A memorial service of Don’s life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2018, in the Chapel at The Grove, 702 W. Walnut Ave., Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814. Instead of flowers, it is suggested that memorials be given to Hospice of North Idaho, 2290 W. Prairie Ave., Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815.
Please visit Don’s online memorial and sign his guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.