January 31, 2014

Although, a few years have now passed since your death, I can still hear your voice. I will always remember that crooked nose and that little pot belly of yours( too much pasta too late at night-haha). You made me laugh with your funny dance moves. I still to this day do not know if you really could not dance or if you were just trying to make us laugh every time you did danced. Either way, it always put a smile on our faces.
So much has changed in so little time… Anna gave birth Sofia shortly after you left, I got married and also had two amazing children Antonio Simone and Simona Noelle. They will never touch your face nor be given the chance to be held in your arms, but I can promise you that these beautiful additions to our family will know your funny corks and we will try to retell your stories and give them the passion they deserve. Sammy, your little boy, is just about 25 years old now. He is no longer a baby. He is trying to keep Pizza City in people’s hearts by carrying out your traditions along with adding a new flare. We know that you disliked change, but hopefully you are looking down on us and proud of what Sammy has continued on. Mamma misses you so much, as we all do. She still feels that she lost her best friend. She tries to keep busy by watching the grandbabies while I work, but I can tell that this time away from you has been very difficult on her. She said it best on your memorial plaque, translated to , ” it was easy to love but impossible to forget you.”
Daddy, I had so many things that I wanted to still do with you or talk to you about. I wanted you to walk me down the aisle, I wanted to  dance with you to “Unforgettable” at my wedding, I wanted you to hear me say, ” I am pregnant, ” I wanted you to walk in front of me down the stairs while I was pregnant so that I would not fall…just like you did for Anna. I wanted so much, but basically I wanted you.
The years seem as if they have flown by, and I can clearly still hear the back door slam as if you were going to work . I find myself stopping sometimes in the middle of whatever task I am doing because I think that I hear your voice. I know that you are there somewhere reaching out trying to touch or talk to us. I truly believe that there is life after death, because I can still see you when I close my eyes and you are not in pain anymore. You are happy in my dreams and, in my heart, I know that I will see you again and you will make me the best pizza ever in Heaven. God worthy.
I love you and will always know that you were the best father I could have ever had. I was truly blessed to be yours and I continue to be blessed thru your memories and legacy.
Thank you my love!!!
Rosaria
 
 

Dear Family Catado;
I am the nice of Ernie Ferretti and my husband and I met Simone a year ago.  Although he was busy with customers he took the time to talk to us and tell us about some of his exeriences in Italy.  Since we now live in No. Italy it was fun to talk to him and hear about his experiences.  We were sad to learn of his death and wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
With sympathy
Deb and Steve Kelly

To the Cataldo family,
 It is with a heavy heart and great sorrow that we mourn the loss of Sammy. Not only was he a good husband and father, he was a good friend to everyone. I remember when he first came to Strasburg and opened the pizza shop. He made everyone feel welcome and at home. Even after we moved out of Strasburg, he remembered myself and my family every time we came back to the shop. I knew the children from birth into adulthood. I saw the pride in Rosa and Sammy as they grew. Sam will be greatly missed but always loved and remembered. May God be with you, Rosa, and your children.
Sincerely,
Beth Clement and family

I moved with my family from Philadelphia to Strasburg in 1987.  One of the first places we frequented was Pizza City…..I guess it reminded of us home.  Immediately, Sam was so very kind and courteous, even to us "outsiders".  Time went on, my buddies and I would skateboard up to the shop to play video games and have a slice.  Years later, I remember taking dates there on Friday nights, and I would play some "cool" music on the jukebox.  Regardless of when it was, I would enter the shop and I would hear…."Davey Junior, how are ya"?  Even though my name is Greg, Sam assumed I was a JR. of my father Dave.  I loved it, and I never said otherwise.

Sam’s hospitality transmitted through to his family.  Both daughters were always so nice. My sister had graduated with his youngest daughter, and she was always so friendly when ever I would see her in the shop or in the street.  I remember his son as a young boy in the shop, helping his dad and even helping me throw my trash away after eating. Having moved away 7 years ago, I always missed not seeing Sam and having his awesome cheesesteaks.

To the Cataldo family, I feel very honored to have known your Husband/Father, just a little bit.  Pizza City was, and still remains a staple in that community thanks to Sam, his family, and his hard work and dedication.  Thank you for a lot of great memories and great food.  You will be missed!

Greg Fossler & Family

god blessed us with sam the pizza man.He will always be remembered in our hearts.my kids said he will make pizza for god, his food is so great.we will pray for the family and keep you all in our thoughts.

Just want you to know we are thinking of all of you and praying for you.  We have alot of fond memories of Sam.  Since we moved we don’t get to see all of you.   We miss all of you.  Sorry I cannot attend the funeral for Sam as I am fighting cancer.  Sam was a great father and husband.  Please accept our sincere sympathy.  He will be missed.
Love
Raymond & Rita Good
5 Camden Court
Lancaster, Pa. 17602

Please accept my deepest sympathy in the passing of your husband and father, ‘Sam’. He always had a smile and cheery hello as I came in the door to the pizza shop which was greatly appreciated. May God bring you peace during this time. Linda Younger

We are sorry for your loss.
Sam was such a good man.  He was kind, generous and made the best pizza in PA!!  He will be missed by many people, including his loyal customers who loved him.
With our Sympathy~  Jonathan & Jennifer Heisse

To The Cataldo Family, Our Hearts are deeply saddened by your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this very difficult time. I relocated to Strasburg in 1994 and spent a great deal of time in Pizza City where I found many interesting personalities but none quite as interesting as this man that everyone knew. One by one I watched as they entered this busy little pizza shop. Hey! Buddy How Are You!, How’s The Family? He took the time to listen to each person and make that connection that seems harder and harder to find. Thank You!, Take Care Buddy!, God Bless! Those words rang out over and over for the next 16 years each and every time I would visit Pizza City. My family and I will miss him very much. To Sam…Thank You!, Take Care Buddy! and Go Bless!
The Klingbeil Family – Jeremy, Toni Ann, Tyler, and Julia

My deepest and heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you on the passing of your beloved husband and father. When we first moved to Strasburg, we did not know where to go for a delicious pizza. Neighbors told us about Pizza City and true to their word, Sam’s pizza was the best. He always knew that Freddy liked the crust crispy and we never had to remind him. He will be surely missed by the community and for those of us who knew his family.
He may not be here in person, but he will forever be in your hearts where he will live forever.

Sincerely,
Mary, Freddy & Greg DaLauro

When I moved my family from Lancaster to Strasburg over 20 years ago, I didn’t know a soul in town. My very first greeting from my neighbor was a complaint that the moving van was blocking the driveway. Not a good start for my first day in a new town. As the day came to a close I had to feed my friends and family that came to help, so we decided to try the pizza shop on the square, Pizza City.

I phoned in the order and went to pick it up. A gentleman with an Italian accent handed me the steaming aromatic pizza boxes over the counter and told me the amount due. To my dismay I discovered I was short on cash. I told the gentleman that I would have to leave and come back after finding an ATM. Without any hesitation and with all sincerity, with a dismissive wave of his arm he said “Don’t you worry about it. You’ll get it next time”. There I was, a complete stranger in ragged clothing, dirty and disheveled from the move, and this man treated me like an old friend or even family. This was my first encounter with Simone “Sam” Cataldo and I will always remember that day, his open, warm and friendly demeanor, his trust in his fellow man. He made me feel welcome in a new place and renewed my sense of worth.

Over the years our family patronized Pizza City and would always receive a warm welcome from Sam, but then he greeted everyone that way. In my eyes he was a definitive part of the Strasburg community. A successful businessman, loving family man, a good neighbor and all around good soul, he will be long remembered and he will be missed. My heart goes out to his family and many, many friends.

Sincerely,
Dawn and Fred Lauzus and Family
Strasburg PA

I’m really sorry to hear of Sam’s passing.  He was a wonderful man that will be missed by a whole community.  Strasburg will not be the same without him.  His pain is ended but he will live on in a lot of hearts.
Audrey 

Our sincerest sympathies to the Cataldo family.  We will so miss Sam’s friendly greetings and cheerful attitude at Pizza City.  He has been a part of our families life for so many years.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers. 
The Rawleigh family, Floyd, Janet, Seth and Joshua.

Please know that our hearts and prayers go out to you all. Sam was such a great person and our family has been so blessed to have known and dealt with him.  Sam saw our children grow up, as well as we saw his’. Our thoughts are with you. The Phipps’ family.

Sentite godoglianza da Vita e Andrea Ferrarelli ,il SIgnore benedica Simone e la sua famiglia in questo momento di dolore.