Catherine H. Bacigalupi: Wife, Mother, Sister, Grandmother and Best Friend
September 20, 1946 – January 16, 2022
Catherine “Cathy” Bacigalupi, 75, joined the love of her life, Paul, parents, many friends and loved ones, and beloved animals in heaven on January 16, 2022. Until she went to sleep for the last time in the early hours of Sunday, January 16, Paul always was on her mind and in her heart.
A lifelong Love Story
Cathy first met Paul at age 16 at the gas station where he worked as a teenager. This sparked a lifelong love story. That love and devotion never faltered for nearly 60 years. They continued to find joy together and discover new adventures, whether through car cruises, travel or just enjoying the company of their friends and family.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia on September 20, 1946, Cathy was the third child and only daughter of the late John and Barbara Gates, and little sister to the late John Gates, Jr. (Jack) and Albert Gates. A graduate of Mills High School in San Mateo, California, Class of 1964, she built a life and family with Paul in the San Francisco Bay Area until they relocated to Apopka Florida in 2000. She attended Cosmetology school at the College of San Mateo.
Cathy later became a business innovator in the cruise and travel industry. She attended the University of Miami to gain mastery in the travel business to establish her successful, niche, cruise-only travel agency, Galaxsea Cruises. Dedicated to sending her clients to their dream destinations, her vision and grasp of innovation transformed a plain office suite into the next best destination to a dream cruise. She designed her office, with the help of Paul, and her mother and father-in-law, Florence and Louis Bacigalupi, into the reproduction of a cruise ship — but on land.
In 2011, Cathy met the next love of her life, with the birth of her first and only grandchild, Alexandria. Her “mini me.” She was so proud of her granddaughter and enjoyed weekly after-school dates and plenty of Disney Cruises, where they could exist together as princesses.
Cathy always was known as everyone’s best friend and confidante, and an involved mother and grandmother to her children and granddaughter. She also is remembered as a supportive “second mom” to many who had lost their mothers or families over time and needed a “mom in residence.”
When her children were small, Cathy would stay up through all hours to create original, custom Halloween costumes that won award after award.
She also was the “cool mom” who drove a Trans-Am to pick up the kids from school in their elementary school days.
Holidays were not simply days, but events and experiences. Every Christmas Eve, since the passing of her mother-in-law, Florence, she picked up the baton and created a magical celebration that would be remembered forever. She always went above and beyond to bring joy into her family and children’s lives, and in later years, her granddaughter.
She kept this tradition alive through the weddings of her children, as well as years of caregiving for her cherished mother and father-in-law.
She was a dedicated animal rescuer who supported many causes, foundations and rescues. Her animals always came from rescues and that dedication began in the 1970s when Paul found a tiny, abandoned, black kitten behind her mother’s house, whom she named Blackie. Blackie was with her for 20 years. Then, she continued her rescue tradition with the rescues of “Moo Moo” and “Boo Boo,” the latter of whom was by her side during her final moments — and refused to leave.
She also was active in her community as a longtime member of the Apopka Florida Citizens Police Academy, alongside Paul.
Cathy was a talented and avid bowler, who actively played on teams up until very recently. She was a lifelong San Francisco 49ers fan, San Francisco Giants fan (Will Clark) and a Florida State Seminoles football fan. She also loved Sponge Bob Square Pants and anything that had to do with black cats and German shepherds.
Cathy was predeceased by beloved husband, Paul; her parents, John and Barbara Gates; her father and mother-in-law, Louis and Florence Bacigalupi; uncle Robert Gates; brother, Jack Gates; and her best friend Alfreda Norflin. She is survived by brother Albert Gates and his wife Karen; brother-in-law Robert Bacigalupi and his wife Susan; daughter Wendy Bacigalupi (Bednarz); son William Bacigalupi and his partner Christina Bryant, and son Jeff Bacigalupi; granddaughter Alexandria (Alex) Bacigalupi; and former daughter-in-law Tanja Lengemann Bacigalupi.
She also is survived by friends and extended family who include the Norflin family: Hampton, Jayzelle, Pamela, Mia and Gabbey; Dewey and Donna Hendricks; Sharon Erwin; Cindy Simmons Hardeman; Maria Bryant; Geri Garnet Unrue; Carla Philmon; Bret Winingar (Charlie Bravo Motorcycle Dog); cousin-in-law Richard Knight; nieces Robin Gates West, Allete Fouts, Kimberly Morris, Lisa Gates Taylor; former sister-in-law Charlotte Cooper; nephews John Gates, John Bacigalupi and Joseph Bacigalupi; former son-in-law Timothy Bednarz; and “adopted daughter” Susey Dalton. She always will be adored by her pups, Lil’ Thor and Petey, and her cat, Boo Boo, who will live with Cathy’s children.
Cathy will be honored and remembered by friends, family, and the community of Apopka at a Celebration of Life on Monday January 31, 2022 at 11 a.m. It will take place — rain or shine — at the Northwest Recreation Complex, 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway, Apopka, FL. All friends are invited to attend. Please enter the park through Gate 3. Proceed to the pond where Cathy’s husband Paul’s memorial bench resides. A reception will take place at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Backroom on Rock Springs Blvd. immediately following the ceremony.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in the memory of Cathy Bacigalupi to Healy Pack German Shepherd Dog Sanctuary, a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization online at healypack.org , or by mail:
3721 Dartmouth Ave N
St. Petersburg. Fl
33713
Or to
Lucky’s Cat House (Also a 501(C)3 rescue), online at https://www.luckyscathouse.org , or by mail:
Lucky’s Cat House
PO Box 2278
Lewisburg, TN
37091