101 years since Carlo passed away

It's 101 years ago, today, that Carlo passed away, Saturday, July 20, 1918. The Age and The Argus both reported on this sad event on Monday, July 22, which was also the day his funeral was held.

From The Age - The news of the death of Mr. Carlo Catani; formerly Chief Inspector of Public Works, which occurred at his residence, 'Wyndham,' Blessington-street, St. Kilda, on Saturday, will be received with general regret. Mr. Catani retired from the public service a little over twelve months ago, and until recently had been enjoying good health. Ten days ago while standing on a scaffolding superintending the erection of additions to his home in St. Kilda, he was seized with sudden illness, from which he never recovered.   The article then lists his major works and achievements.  Mr. Catani had a long and distinguished career in the Public Works department as an engineer of  high attainments.  As a public officer he earned a high reputation, and was greatly esteemed in private life for his unfailing courtesy and kindly nature. (The Age, July 22, 1918, read the full report, here.)

From The Argus -  The intimation of the death of Mr. Carlo Catani, formerly chief engineer of the Public Works department of Victoria, which occurred on Saturday at his home at St. Kilda, will be received with regret by his many friends.  There is then a short account of his life and achievements.  His most important undertaking, however, was the improvement of the Yarra and the Alexander avenue development, whereby he transformed the unsightly swamp on the south bank of the Yarra into the beauty spot it is to-day. The whole of this work was carried out under his supervision. Mr.
Catani had recently been closely associated with the improvement work at St. Kilda and Brighton. (The Argus, July 22, 1918, read the full report, here)

Carlo's funeral left from his home, Wyndham, in Blessington Street, St. Kilda, for the Brighton Cemetery, at 3 o'clock on Monday, July 22.

As The Herald was an afternoon paper, they reported on the funeral -  Though it was the desire of the family of the late Mr Carlo Catani that his funeral should be a quiet one, such was the general esteem in which he was held that a very large number of people and a lengthy cortege followed the hearse to the grave. Public departments, both State and Federal, were represented, and the councillors of St. Kilda attended together. Mr Catani was one of the most widely known and best-respected men in the departmental public life of Victoria.....Mr Catani had been under medical care for some time, but his death was some-what sudden. His physicians bad been in consultation after leaving his bedside, and had just left the house between six and seven o'clock when the patient sank and expired......The service at the grave was read by the Rev. F. G. Masters, of Holy Trinity Church, St. Kilda, where Mr Catani and his family were regular attendants and church workers. Mr W. G. Apps conducted the funeral. (The Herald, July 22, 1918, read the full report, here)

The Catani grave was without a headstone until last year, you can read about the unveiling, here.

Unveiling of the Catani family grave headstone

On Tuesday, December 11 2018 a head stone was unveiled on the grave of Carlo and Catherine Catani at the Brighton cemetery. Surprisingly for a man who had given so much to Victoria  the grave did not have a head stone, so a small working party was formed to remedy this and the result is this wonderful tribute to Carlo and his family. Around twenty five people attended the ceremony, including Greg, Nima and  their daughter Katherine Catani, who had come all the way from the United States. Greg is the great, grand nephew of Carlo Catani.

The unveiling was presided over by the Reverend Kathryn Watt, vicar of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Balaclava and Elwood. There were a number of guest speakers - Cr Dick Gross, Mayor of the City of Port Phillip; Jen Stone, President of the St Kilda Historical Society; Cr David Brand of the City of Port Phillip who is also an architect; Daniela (nee Volpe) Riachi who is the author of From Tuscany to Victoria: the life and work of Pietro Baracchi, Carlo Catani and Ettore Checchi (Italian Australian Institute, 2005) and Greg Catani who gave  a talk on behalf of the family.  I also did  a little talk. 

This is the elegant headstone designed by Isaac Hermann and created by North Eastern Memorials. The head stone was sponsored by donations from the City of Port Phillip, the St Kilda Historcal Society, the Koo Wee Rup Swamp Historical Society and private donations. The bridge is Catani archway built in 1916 on the St Kilda foreshore and the palm trees are also a feature of the foreshore.

Reverend Kathryn Watt, of Holy Trinity Anglican Church Balaclava and Elwood, presided over the unveiling.  She did a lovely job and looked just like an angel, it was so special having her at the unveiling. Carlo and Catherine used to worship at the Anglican Church so it was a wonderful connection.  The headstone was covered by a black cloth and had a blue ribbon tied around it, which is draped over Kathryn's arm in this photo - the blue ribbon was in honour of Carlo's signature look - his 'sac suit of navy serge', you can read about this here. 

Left to right - Nima, Katherine and Greg Catani, Daniela Riachi, Isaac Hermann and Reverend  Kathryn Watt. 

Greg did the unveiling, but my photos of that were really ordinary, so I can't show you that. Isaac was the driving force behind this whole project and he should be commended and admired for all the work he put into honouring the Catani family by erecting a headstone on the grave. Isaac was helped and encouraged in this project, by many people, but especially Lois Comeadow, of the Brighton Cemetorians.  It was a lovely occasion and, as Carlo and Catherine have no living descendants, it was just wonderful that Greg, Nima and Katherine could be there. 

Carlo passes away

Carlo passed away on July 20, 1918. Here is an obituary from the Prahran Chronicle July 27, 1918. I have transcribed it, but you can read the full article here.


General regret has been expressed at the death of Mr Carlo Catani, formerly Chief Inspector of Public Works, which took place at his residence, Wyndam, Blessington Street, St. Kilda, on Saturday. A few days previously he was standing on a scaffolding superintending the erection of additions to his home, when he was suddenly seized with illness, from which he never recovered. The late Mr Catani retired from the public service twelve months ago. He was 66 years of age. 
He was born in Florence, Italy, and came to Australia as a youth in company with Mr Baracchi, formerly Government astronomer of Victoria. Mr Catani had a long and successful career in the Public Works Department as an engineer of high attainments. To his energy and enthusiasm the development of many of the popular mountain tourist resorts are due, especially Mount Buffalo. He also took a keen interest in the scheme for the beautification of the Yarra, and planned many improvements that have been carried out in the metropolis. 
Mr Catani was a member of the St. Kilda Foreshore Committee, and the magnificent decorative work that has been effected along the frontage must be ascribed to his exceptional skill as an engineer, and one well versed in the art of beautification and landscape gardening. Always courteous and unassuming, the deceased gentleman was extremely popular in public and private life, and by his kindly disposition he had formed very many life long friendships.
Mr Catani leaves a widow and son and daughter. A son, Captain Catani, was killed in action a few months back. The funeral took place at the Brighton cemetery on Monday afternoon, when there was a representative attendance, including the Mayor, Town Clerk, and Councillors of St. Kilda.

The Death notice and funeral notice for Carlo from The Argus July 22 1918