John Joseph Catanese

John Joseph Catanese, 67, of Idaho Falls, passed away June 30, 2025, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

John was born February 11, 1958, in Suffern, New York, to Earnest Edward Catanese and Mary Ann Lichenstein Catanese. He grew up and attended schools in Suffern and graduated from Warwick Valley Central High School. He also attended UNLV, where he earned the university’s first Civil Engineering degree. He worked for the Clark County, Nevada, Public Works Department for 32 years during which he built the majority of Las Vegas. He was acknowledged by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for excellent project management and completion of the Tropicana and Flamingo wash project from 1995-2011.

On April 2, 2010, he married Heather Renee Adler in Las Vegas. John and Heather made their home in Las Vegas, Nevada, and moved to Idaho Falls, upon their retirement. In retirement, he loved traveling with his wife, Heather. He was always a dedicated husband, father, and Papa.

He was raised in the Catholic faith and attended First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Idaho Falls. He loved everything sports, especially the UNLV Rebels. He enjoyed outdoor activities, camping, and fishing. He loved his time with his granddaughters.

John is survived by his wife, Heather Catanese of Idaho Falls, ID; son, Justin Catanese of Las Vegas, NV; daughter, Jessica Catanese of Hayden, ID; son, Sterling Catanese of Idaho Falls, ID; stepson, Austin Leger of Blackfoot, ID; sister, Andrea (Gregory) Maddox of Colorado Springs, CO; sister, Deborah Catanese of Fresno, CA; sister, Linda Paul of Wellington, New Zealand;  and three granddaughters, Arianna, Allison, and Leia.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Eric Catanese.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 455 W. Sunnyside in Idaho Falls. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the services at the church.