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Niagara Cerebral Palsy golf tournament honors James Catanese

by jmaloni

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Thu, May 15th 2014 03:55 pm

Niagara Cerebral Palsy is holding its 22nd annual "Matthew J. Murphy Jr. On the Tee fore NCP" golf tournament, June 13 at Seneca Hickory Stick Golf Course, 4560 Creek Road, Lewiston. Registration and lunch are at noon, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit NCP's adult vocational program.

The event will celebrate the agency's 60th anniversary, in addition to unveiling a new award, "The Chairman's Award." This will be given annually to an individual who has generously and continuously supported NCP and the individuals and families it serves. This year's recipient is James Catanese.

NCP Executive Director/CEO John Reardon said, "Jim has been a great supporter of our agency for many years. He's devoted time from his busy schedule to help guide our foundation. Jim is most deserving of this honor, and we are proud to bestow this first-time award to such a worthy person and long-time friend of NCP."

Catanese was awarded NCP's "Humanitarian of the Year" award in 2009, and has been member of the board of Niagara Cerebral Palsy Children's Foundation since its establishment in 2002.

A local businessman, Catanese spent 40 years in business as owner and operator of Mom's Family Restaurant in Niagara Falls, and has been involved in numerous community service activities over the years. He said being awarded such an honor from NCP is "especially gratifying" to him since the organization was instrumental in providing life-changing support to his oldest son, Michael, when he was in need of specialized services many years ago.

Catanese's wife, Patricia, agreed.

"Thanks to the amazing work of the teachers, therapists and staff at NCP, our son is today a confident, independent and self-sufficient man," she said. "We will always be grateful for the role NCP played in providing him the opportunity to enjoy a successful and very productive life."

Catanese is a past president of the board of trustees at Niagara Catholic High School where he served as a board member for 13 years and currently serves on its finance committee. Catanese and his wife have been married for 43 years, and are the parents of three sons, and grandparents of three granddaughters.

In addition to 60th anniversary festivities, the golf event features longest-drive, closest-to-the-pin, hole-in-one and double-or-nothing contests, along with a basket auction and 50/50s. A cocktail hour will begin at 5:30 p.m., with dinner and the auction results following. Non-golfers are welcome to attend the dinner and basket auction portion of the event.

For more information about the golf tournament, Chairman's Award, or NCP, contact Katharine Kirchmeyer at 716-297-0798, ext. 173, or [email protected], Visit the NCP website at www.niagaracp.org.

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