Charles B. Catin

Dartmouth - Charles B. Catin was born in New Bedford, MA on October 17, 1927 to Charles and Catherine Catin. He graduated from New Bedford High School in 1947. He then was accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music. While at Juilliard, he was awarded 4 scholarships which allowed him to study under world renowned timpanist Saul Goodman. Also, during his Juilliard years, he won an audition to perform at the Tanglewood Summer program to study under Maestro Sergei Koussevitsky.

In 1952 after 5 years of study, Charles graduated from Juilliard with a Master’s degree in performance. Charles was then accepted as the timpanist for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra has the notable distinction of being the second oldest symphony in the United States. A stellar recommendation from his mentor Saul Goodman propelled the orchestra of accepting him without the mandatory audition. This was highly exceptional considering the highly competitive environment of classically trained musicians.

His tenure at the orchestra gave him the opportunity to perform with such greats as Aaron Copeland, Sergei Koussevitsky, Leonard Bernstein, Van Cliburn, Leroy Anderson, Leopold Stokowski, Arthur Rubenstein, Pablo Casals, Vladimir Horowitz and countless others. During his time with the symphony, Charles received a Masters of Education from Washington University in St. Louis.

After his career with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Charles taught music in the New Bedford School system and retired after 20 years of service. Charles was a kind and generous father and grandfather. He was fiercely independent and hardworking, a common trait of those of his generation. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.

He was predeceased by his wife, the former Helen Motta, a grandson Benjamin Hamric, and sisters Catherine Catin and Constance Perry.

He is survived by his daughters, Catherine Hobaica (Thomas) of Stonington CT, Constance Hamric of South Dartmouth, Sylvia Friedman (Peter) of West Point VA, and grandchildren Emily Hamric of Chicago IL, Alex Hamric of Nashua NH, Edward Hobaica of Austin TX, Elizabeth Hobaica of Boston MA, and Helen Friedman of West Point VA.

Funeral services were private.

Arrangements are placed in the care of Perry Funeral Home 111 Dartmouth St. New Bedford, MA 02740. Please see our website: www.perryfuneral.com for condolences.