Obituary of Michael Catuogno
Michael Catuogno, 69, of Manalapan, passed away on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold Township. He was born in Bethpage, Long Island, and raised in south Brooklyn in the Red Hook and Carroll Gardens. He later lived in Mill Basin before settling in Manalapan 38 years ago.
Michael dedicated over 40 years to working for Con Edison on 59th Street in Manhattan prior to retiring in November 2018. In retirement, he was a familiar face to many in the Electrical Department at Home Depot in Marlboro. There was nothing he couldn’t fix, he was everyone’s go-to guy when they needed help. Michael truly lived by the motto that it was better to give than to receive.
A man of many interests, Michael relished his time at slot car races, especially at his favorite spot in Mount Holly. His love for slot cars and the automobile led him to create Big Mike’s Wicked Wax, not only his business but his passion. Michael enjoyed fishing, spending time at Raceway Park, and music. He was a true foodie who loved not only to eat, but more importantly, to share meals with those he cared about and always making sure no one was left hungry.
These experiences were precious to him for one simple reason: they were shared. At the end of the day, Michael defined life by the people he shared it with. Being surrounded by friends and family was his entire world.
He was predeceased by his parents, Gaetano and Trofimena Rizzutto; and his brother-in-law, George Scivoletti. Michael is survived by his loving wife of forty-five years, Catherine Catuogno; daughter, Nicole Apuzzo and her husband, William, III of Brick; son, George Catuogno and his fiancée, Alex Hurwitz of Freehold; granddaughter, Brenna Rose; three brothers, Anthony Catuogno and his wife, Ellen, John Catuogno and his wife, Daniela and Thomas Catuogno and his wife, Natalie; sisters-in-law, Maryanne Scivoletti and Geralyn Drury and her husband, Christopher; five nephews; four nieces; and one great nephew.
Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at Saint Thomas More Church, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, NJ 07726. Interment will be private. For those who desire, memorial contributions in Michael’s name may be made to Weill Cornell Medicine, Office of External Affairs, (For the Burn Center), P.O. Box 22497, New York, NY 10087-2497 or HERE. For information, directions or to leave condolences messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com
