FARMINGTON — Area residents and political leaders are mourning the loss of former state Sen. Sam Cataldo, who died in a Saturday morning car crash while driving to Farmington's annual deliberative session.
Cataldo, 80, a Farmington Republican, served in the state Senate and House for a combined 12 years before retiring from the Senate in 2016 to run for Executive Council. He was a current member of the Farmington Budget Committee.
Derek “Mac” Kittredge, a member of the Strafford County Republican Committee and a close friend of Cataldo, was among the many locals who said they were heartbroken Monday morning by the loss. He described Cataldo as “extremely kind and generous” and as a “cheerful, upbeat” people person who approached politics “like an engaged neighbor.”
“A lot of people think of politicians in terms of being egomaniacs,” said the Rochester resident. “That wasn’t Sam. Sam was your good neighborhood politician who got right into it and wanted to know the details.”
Former state Rep. Phyllis Woods, R-Dover, another close friend and colleague of Cataldo, said the news is "devastating" because Cataldo "lived for" serving the community.
"When they say people die doing what they love, he died doing what he loved," said Woods. "He was going to a political meeting. He loved that because he was a people person and loved being involved in politics. It’s just such a shock. A tragic loss for us. He was the stalwart. He was always there."
Farmington Town Administrator Arthur Capello, speaking on behalf of the town and the Farmington Police Department, said the two-car crash that killed Cataldo occurred around 7:45 a.m. Saturday on Route 11.
He said the crash is still under investigation, but preliminary findings indicate Cataldo was turning left in front of Cameron's Home & Garden Center when his 2016 Ford Escape collided with a 2006 Toyota Tundra driven by Wayne Coplette, 46, of Rochester.
Cataldo was air lifted to an undisclosed hospital due to his injuries, according to Capello. He said Cataldo was pronounced dead at that hospital.
Witnesses reported sun glare may have played a factor, according to Capello. Police don’t believe drugs or alcohol contributed to the collision. Coplette wasn’t injured and he hadn’t been charged or cited in connection with the collision as of Monday morning, according to police.
The collision shut down Route 11 for a couple of hours Saturday morning. Capello said no one at the deliberative session knew of Cataldo’s passing. He said a moment of silence would be held at both Monday night’s regularly scheduled Farmington Board of Selectmen meeting as well as at the town’s annual town meeting in March in honor of Cataldo.
“As an elected official on our Budget Committee, he brought a great wealth of knowledge to the town and he was always looking out for the great interest of the townspeople,” said Capello.
Farmington Police Chief Jay Drury said Cataldo's death is “definitely a shame.”
Several Republican leaders from across the state have issued statements mourning Cataldo's passing, including Gov. Chris Sununu.
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Senator Sam Cataldo, a good friend and true patriot who loved New Hampshire,” said Sununu. “A real gentleman, Sam always put people first in serving his town, state, and country. He will be greatly missed by so many. Thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Cheryl, his family, and friends.”
Former New Hampshire GOP Chair Jack Kimball wrote on his Facebook page that the crash that killed Cataldo was a head-on collision.
"This is heartbreaking news for so many of us," wrote Kimball. "He was a great man, a true gentleman who we all admired ... I am so so sad!"
New Hampshire GOP Chair Jeanie Forrester released the following statement about Cataldo:
"It is with sadness that we learned of the passing of former State Senator Sam Cataldo of Farmington. Having seen him last week at our annual meeting, all present saw Sam full of life. Through his service in the House and Senate, he was a dedicated member of his community and served his constituents with passionate dedication and will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones at this time."
N.H. Senate President Chuck Morse released a statement as well:
"I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my friend and former colleague Senator Sam Cataldo. He was a truly genuine, caring man as well as a thoughtful and committed public servant. His love and concern for this state and his community was evident through his ongoing participation in public life and his service will surely be missed by many throughout our state. Susan and I share our thoughts and prayers with his wife Cheryl, his children, family and friends."
First elected to the Senate in 2012, Cataldo was a retired nuclear engineer and Air Force veteran and represented the District 6 towns of Alton, Barnstead, Farmington, Gilmanton and New Durham and the city of Rochester. Before joining the state Senate, Cataldo served four terms in the N.H. House, where he was a member of the Science, Technology and Energy Committee.
Cataldo served as the vice-chair of the Senate's Judiciary Committee and sat on both the Executive Departments & Administration and Commerce committees. He was a graduate of Lowell Tech and Northeastern University.
Cataldo's memorial services weren't yet scheduled as of Monday morning.