Mario Joseph Gatti

Mario J Gatti, at the age of 102, was called Home to be with his Lord and Savior on February 22, 2024. He was born in Brooklyn, NY, July 27, 1921 to the late Ettore Gatti and Giannina Gheduzzi Gatti. He grew up in Brooklyn and spent much of his time enjoying music and the arts. He played in a harmonica band with his childhood friends ,where they had the opportunity to play on the Major Bowes Radio Amateur Hour. He also played string bass in the school orchestra, and enjoyed going to vaudeville shows and operas around the city.

During WW II, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, and was assigned to the Signal Corps. Since he knew morse code from his experience as an amateur radio operator, he was assigned as a radio operator receiving encrypted enemy messages in morse code. He was part of the D-day invasion and served in France, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany. He met his Dutch wife, Irene Drummen, and they were married in the Netherlands on August 9, 1945.

Mario worked in the Federal Aviation Administration for 30 years, and the United Nations for two. He was an avid ham radio operator, spending many hours is his “ham shack” and enjoyed gardening. After retiring, he and Irene moved to Florida for 20 years, then to Durham NC. Mario was a very active resident at Croasdaile Village, helping improve the computer help center, teaching Spanish, and facilitating the monthly showing of classic operas to the Croasdaile residents. He shared his love of music, the arts, and languages with his children and friends.

Mario is survived by his sons, Raymond, Alfred, Bruce, Patrick, George and Daniel, 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 72 years, Irene, and his siblings, Roxanne Keenan, and George Gatti.

A funeral mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, in Durham, on Saturday, March 2nd, at 11:00 AM. A viewing will be at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Durham charity of your choice in his memory.