Background
Cattarello was born in Cobalt, Ontario in 1913 and grew up in Canada, Italy, England and the United States.
Cattarello was born in Cobalt, Ontario in 1913 and grew up in Canada, Italy, England and the United States.
In 2001 he was honoured with membership in the, the highest civilian award in Canada, for his determination to bring sport to youths in remote communities. He was from Timmins, Ontario. Cattarello enlisted in the army in 1942 and saw combat in the Second World War with the 48th Highlanders as a corporal, serving for three years.
He played on a gold-winning hockey team in Europe, with his fellow soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Petawawa including Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Walter "Turk" Broda.
In the 1930s, Cattarello started coaching minor hockey including future National Hockey League players as Allan Stanley, Bill Barilko and Pete Babando. Cattarello is the namesake of the Most Valuable Player Trophy for the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League and an arena in Kapuskasing where he served as recreation director during the 1970s until he retired in 1980.
Cattarello played minor league hockey for the Sudbury Wolves, playing in the Memorial Cup in 1932. Cattarello was given the from Governor General Adrienne Clarkson for the time he spent coaching, fundraising and collecting equipment for youth sports Clarkson said, "His name resonates throughout communities in Northern Ontario and symbolizes volunteerism, fair play and sportsmanship".
