Retired Dist. 2 VP Peter Catucci, 60, Succumbs After Valiant Fight

Peter G. Catucci

Retired District 2 Vice President Peter G. Catucci, who spent a lifetime fighting for working families, died April 3 after battling ALS disease for more than two years. Catucci, 60, was CWA's longest-serving district vice president, having won election to the post at CWA's 48th Convention in 1986.

About a month ago, Catucci and CWA President Larry Cohen were in attendance at the White House as President Barack Obama signed an executive order that removed restrictions on responsible scientific research and federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. Since stepping down as a CWA leader in 2008, Catucci had been a tireless fighter to restore the funds.

"Pete's service to our union is legend," said CWA President Larry Cohen. "He helped lead many of the positive changes we made in recent years, including CWA's groundbreaking 'Ready for the Future' restructuring," Cohen said, adding "Pete's  beloved District 2 was his constant focus beyond his family." District 2 Vice President Ron Collins, a long-time friend and colleague, praised Catucci's "incomparable fighting spirit during his years of service to his union and in finding a cure for those suffering from ALS."

Catucci's commitment to working men and women began in 1968 when he joined CWA Local 2336 after going to work at C & P Telephone, now Verizon. Catucci served as steward, strike captain and executive vice president before being elected local president in 1976. As president, Catucci lead the local through tough rounds of bargaining.

Elected District 2 Vice President in 1986, Catucci's leadership and dedication to organizing helped bring CWA representation to thousands of workers in sectors including airlines, health care, public service, printing, news media, broadcast, cable TV, higher education and law enforcement.

Despite his February 2007 diagnosis of ALS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Catucci continued to devote time and energy over the next two years to pressing for an end to restrictions on the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Catucci retired at the CWA Convention in June 2008. He told delegates that he would continue to keep up the fight for stem cell research and for the Employee Free Choice Act, which he called "stem cell research for the labor movement."

Catucci is survived by his wife, Terry; Children, Nick, Traci and Francesca. The family has asked that donations be made to the 4 Pete's Sake ALS Foundation, Attn: Kurt Weigert, 1020 Cromwell Bridge Road, Towson, MD 21286.