Feb. 4, 1959 – July 17, 2018

It is with a heavy heart to announce the passing of this talented young man, Thomas Jason Cataldi. Thomas passed away suddenly at his home in Montrose at the young age of 59.

Born in Los Angeles (Echo Park area), Tom spent his early years growing up with his brother and many cousins. Raised by his father, Rudy, and grandmother, Nona, Tom enjoyed going on camping trips, exploring the neighborhood and raising a little hell here and there.

In 1970, the family moved to La Cañada Flintridge. It was there Tom was blessed with a sister, Christina, with whom he became very close. Tom began to blossom as a smart, funny and intelligent teen. Just before moving to La Cañada, Tom bought an electric guitar at the Sav-On drug store in Silver Lake Heights for $15. It was then he knew he wanted to play rock and roll.

Tom was able to teach himself to play. He had an extraordinary ear for music and a wonderful talent for writing lyrics. In the mid ’70s he started his first band, TEA, and had played many gigs throughout the foothills from Tujunga to Pasadena. Eventually the band was renamed Bad Angle. In the ’80s, Tom’s band played to packed venues like the Hollywood Palladium and Gazzarri’s on the Sunset Strip.

Among other things, Tom was a handy man. He was great at electronics and also worked as an animation timing director in the ’90s for several studios such as Hanna-Barbera and Saban.

Tom never married and is survived by his father Rudy and mother Consuelo and also an older brother, John, and younger sister, Christina.

The memorial service will be held Aug. 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church at 215 Foothill Blvd. in La Cañada.

Funeral directors: www.CrippenMortuary.com