Obituary: John Edward Katasse

On April 25, 2026, John Edward Katasse — Tléináx — passed away peacefully in his sleep, with his wife and dogs at his side, in his favorite chair at his home in Douglas, Alaska. For the last decade, John’s lungs slowly failed as he battled pulmonary fibrosis and the effects of decades of heart disease.

Even with his lungs slowly shutting down, and multiple heart attacks, John’s stubborn spirit wouldn’t let these terminal diseases slow him down. Fiercely independent and proud, his family would have to hide the ladders from him to stop him from shoveling the roof or dusting a ceiling fan. He was a prolific fisherman and would spend any free time in the summers and fall out on the water in his boat, or out in the driveway in his boat trying to figure out the problems he caused from the last time he fixed his boat. Eager to take anyone out fishing, or hunting, or whale watching, John was generous with his time almost as much as he was generous with his catch, insisting whoever was “captain” that day got to go home with all the food.

During the winters he was in his shop working on his art projects. Proudly self-taught, John carved formline masterpieces and created beautiful jewelry, both of which he proudly gave away equally as often as he sold. All while his favorite music could be heard throughout the house. Neil Young, who he saw in concert, was never more than a couple songs away on his playlist.

Born in 1949 in Wrangell, Alaska, John was Taakw.aaneidí of the Whale House, raised by his parents Elizabeth Nelson Katasse (Kawch-La-Hat) Táakw.aaneidi from Hinyáa Kwáan / Klawock and his dad Henry George Katasse (Natsilane) Tsaagweidi from Kake / Xaay Hit (Yellow Cedar House). John grew up with nine siblings and lived all over Southeast Alaska. Having spent some of his childhood in Petersburg, Wrangell, Klawock, Craig, Sitka, and Mt. Edgcumbe.

John was a shareholder in Sealaska, enrolled in Tlingit and Haida, and a longtime member of the Douglas Indian Association, where he served two terms on the board.

John started fishing commercially with his father starting from as early as he can remember. From burning the rice in the galley at 5 years old, he held every job imaginable on a commercial boat over his 30-year career. Eventually moving on to mining, John worked as a hard rock underground miner and it was a job he was proud of knowing he was providing an easier life for his wife and kids, “Big John,” as he was lovingly known underground, wouldn’t have traded his time as a miner for the world. John had many stories of near deaths and saving lives while working underground, and would often jokingly show off the finger he once got pinched off while at work.

In 1977 John married Carmen Mastronardo Katasse, an Italian “White Woman” who he said “wouldn’t leave him alone” when they were both attending college in Kodiak, Alaska. Later on when he was “on his way to Mexico/Japan (it changes on where exactly he was going)” he met Carmen at the Seattle airport and together they went to Ellensburg, Washington to finish her schooling. They lived and he worked on a farm as a bona fide cowboy, where he wrangled cattle, although he refused to ride on a horse. He said he didn’t like the way the eyes stared at him.

Along with his children from a previous marriage, John had five children: Shelly, John-John, Jaysen, Frank, and Angelo. John was able to see his legacy grow as he was a grandfather and great-grandfather. However, his “children” expanded beyond blood relations. Serving as a father figure for countless other children who John adopted including his brother-in- law Dennis Sabadin at age 15, his nephews Joseph Cordova and Steven Sabadin who he loved like his own children, and he took many others under his roof when they had nowhere else to go.

John, or Papa as he was often lovingly called, was an easy person to talk to and given the chance would gladly talk your ear off as well. Often spending hours using “lectures” as a way to tell stories, to give his philosophies on life, and as an effective way of connecting with people. Sprinkling in moments of his famous “Tlingit dry humor,” with profound wisdom and truth. Usually able to switch from a glare to a warm smile to know his jest comes from a place of love. John was loved by most, hated by a few, but respected by all. Everyone who has met him would agree that saying he is one in a trillion would be selling him short.

John E. Katasse was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Nelson Katasse, father Henry Katasse Sr; brother Henry Katasse Jr; sisters Grace Larsen, and Henrietta Haberman. He is survived by his wife Carmen Mastronardo Katasse, sons John Katasse Jr; Jaysen M. Katasse and his wife Brooke Parker Katasse, Frank Kaash Katasse and his wife Stacy Stout Katasse, Angelo D.Katasse and his wife Amanda Katasse, and his nephews Joseph Cordova and Steven Sabadin, daughter Michelle Beltran and husband Fred. Brothers Irving Katasse, Chuck Katasse, Garfield Katasse Jeff Katasse, James Katasse, Tim Katasse and his wife Mary, Wilson Nicklie; sisters Mary Katasse-Miller, Janice Nicklie-Katasse Erfurt and husband Dave, Janice Katasse Armor and husband Brian. Grandchildren Tony Beltran, Shyann Beltran, Jada Katasse, Jessica Katasse, James Katasse, Jacob Katasse, Parker Katasse, Autumn Rose Katasse, Kaash Katasse, Hunter Katasse, Fisher Katasse, Rosalina Katasse and great-grandson Zachariah.

*There will be a celebration of John’s life at Sandy Beach Cabin on June 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. As John would say, “Don’t act bashful, come and bring your appetite.”