Rogers Dey "R.D." Cathey, Jr., 53, passed away December 16, 2014 at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital with his family by his side. He was born in Norfolk, the son of the late Rogers D. Cathey, Sr. and Constance Pontifex Cathey. He is survived by his son Rogers Dey Cathey, III and his fiancée Lauren Gabor, daughter Taylor Fox Cathey, and sister Constance Cathey Malamos and her husband George.

R.D. is a graduate of Norfolk Collegiate High School and attended Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Va. A 20-year veteran of the sampling business, he founded and became president of Hampton Roads Sampling, Inc. in 1994. He was an avid lover of coffee, food and all things culinary which was sparked by his early career in the restaurant industry. Whether it was long ago summers of lifeguarding, waterskiing down the intercoastal waterways or skiing down the slopes out west, R.D. always seized life with youthful abandon. He was never one to know a stranger and you could be guaranteed to be met with that friendly smile showing just a sparkle of mischief in his eyes.

A celebration of life will be held at Il Giardino Ristorante, a place where R.D. made life-long friends and created everlasting memories. The memorial service will begin at 12pm Monday December 22nd at Il Giardino Ristorante, 910 Atlantic Avenue, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. We would like to take the opportunity to extend our gratitude to the physicians, nurses and staff at Virginia Beach General Hospital for their compassion and exceptional care. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choosing.