Dale W. Catlin

CASTORLAND, NY ~ It is with weeping and rejoicing that we announce the passing of our father and grandfather, Dale W. Catlin, 86, of Addison Ave., Castorland, who died unexpectedly in Oswego Hospital in Oswego where he was living with his son. “Dad” is back together with Mom after a six month separation, and we thank God for his goodness to our family.

Born in the front room of his family’s home in the Town of Pitcairn, NY on October 28, 1937, a son of Willard G. and Annitah Shipman Catlin, he was a 1954 graduate of Harrisville High School and later attended Wanakena Ranger School in Wanakena, NY.

He married (eloped with) Birdella Mae Bassette on May 29, 1959 in Edwards, NY. Birdella died earlier this year on April 30th.

After Forestry School, he entered the US Forestry Service and was stationed in Hayfork, CA where he worked scaling for a year. He eventually returned to the North Country and went into the logging business with his brother, Paul, who he worked with from 1956 until 1959. He then began work for St. Lawrence County as a foreman for a short stint and then went to work for the St. Regis Paper Company in Deferiet.  In 1961 he began work for the New York State Pest Control Service out of Canton until 1972, when he was transferred to the Lowville Operations Center of the NYS Department of Conservation handling the counties of Lewis, Jefferson and Oswego until 1995, when he retired after 34 years of service.

A man of several part time jobs, he enjoyed umpiring softball and little league baseball, as well as planting thousands of trees in his lifetime.

Dale and Birdella enjoyed a wonderful retirement traveling all over the United States, and often, would travel with Birdella’s sister, Beth Schultz and her husband Ralph, creating memories.

“Dad” participated in and won many horseshoe tournaments, including NY State and world competitions. He won State in 2015 and World in 2012. Lisa was there for the World Championships and it was very tense! He was an avid hunter his whole life and loved being a member of Brown-n-Dawn Hunting Camp with fellow members Paul Toohey, Lee Pennock, Dave Harvey and John Krammer. He got his last buck at 85 years old. The best buck of his life - an 8 pointer who weighed in at 196 pounds!

Surviving are four children, Bryan (Kay) Catlin, Lisa (Pat) FitzPatrick, Stuart (Yvonne) Catlin and Lori (Darwin) Roes; grandchildren, ShyLeigh (Eric) Gushlaw, Kylie (Brandon) Miller, Aubrey (Dustin) Neal, Erica (Brandon) Boll, Tamara (Keyan) Deom, Alexis Catlin, Derek Roes, Sarah Fitzpatrick, Megan Catlin and Kerrigan Catlin; 18 great grandchildren, and his brother-in-law, Jack (Denise) Bassette, and a sister-in-law, Arletha Moore.

In addition to his beloved wife, Birdella, of 65 years, he was predeceased by brothers Howard, Harold and Paul Moore, and sisters, Helen Bill and Ruth LaPlatney.

Dale’s funeral will be on Friday, October 25, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. at Salem Christian Fellowship Church in Beaver Falls where a Celebration of Life Service will be held.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, October 24th, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the church, and again on Friday, from 12 Noon until the time of the service.

Donations may be made to his beloved Ranger School in Wanakena at SUNY ESF Ranger School, 257 Ranger School Rd., Wanakena, NY 13695.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by visiting his memorial page at www.scanlonfuneral.com.

Arrangements are under the care of the Scanlon Funeral Home in Croghan.

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