Obituary of Hartley Frank Catania

HARTLEY (DUFFY)

FRANK CATANIA

Hartley passed away peacefully in Toronto, on January 18, 2022, in his 91st year.  He will be dearly missed by his wife of 31 years, Trudy (Sjerps); his children, Mark, Courtney (Ross Hudson) and Paget (Tim Casey); his five grandchildren, Hannah, Ethan, Samantha, Maggie and Nate, and his brothers Michael and Gordon. Predeceased by his parents, Michael and Anna (Lobraico), his siblings, Paul, Leonard and Marie, and the mother of his children, Rosemarie Brenwald.

Hartley attended Forest Hill Collegiate in the 40s and continued his education at the University of Toronto, graduating in 1955. Hartley spent many happy years living and raising his children in North Toronto, Bayview Village where he spent time coaching his boys’ hockey, teaching his daughter to swim in the backyard and being an engaging host at many epic dinner parties.

After a successful decade as a stockbroker with Bache and Company in the 60s, Hartley took his leadership skills to Manufacturers Life, initially as Vice President of Marketing, before he started and managed MANUVEST. After fulfilling his corporate ambitions, Hartley pursued several entrepreneurial initiatives including Child Safety Passport and Mr. Kindling. Later in life, he had great fun as an extra in various music videos, movies and commercials.

Despite the loss of hearing in one ear at age seven due to measles, Hartley became an accomplished pianist, playing by ear and able to master songs in minutes. Many joyful hours were spent entertaining family and friends on his grand piano and, when needed, keeping the beat on his homemade gut bucket bass.  Hartley spent many summers on Penn Lake in Huntsville, Ontario where he passed on his love of cottage life to his children and many guests.  In the 80s Hartley was lucky enough to meet and marry Trudy, whom he was devoted to, and she to him, for the rest of his life.  Hartley's zest for life, curious nature, sense of humor and innate kindness and warmth made him a favorite of so many throughout his life. He will be greatly missed.

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