Obituary of August A. Gatto

Augie was born to August and Dorothy Gatto in SE Portland, on October 30, 1928. He attended Hosford Grade School and graduated from Commerce High School. In 1948 he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned to the destroyer 'USS John W. Weeks.' During his time in the service, he traveled all throughout the Mediterranean, and was later stationed in Falls Church, Virginia, where he worked in the US Pentagon and the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington DC. In 1951, he married the love of his life, Frances Frangipani, and they raised two wonderful children together, Gary and Tina Marie. Although he worked tirelessly in his career, he always made time for family, friends, and the people he loved. In 1989, after 22 years with Wonder Bread, Augie and Frances soon moved to Rockaway Beach, where they spent over 20 years enjoying friends and family at the coast. Augie was dedicated to the Rockaway Lions Cub, volunteering his time to his community, serving as President for the club, and loving his role as BINGO caller each weekend. During retirement, Augie and Frances took many road trips up and down the West Coast, and traveled to Arizona, Missouri, South Carolina and Canada. They loved traveling to Portland the most, so they could see and spend time with their three grandchildren, Dario, Gina & Adrienne. After moving back to Portland in 2010, Augie and Frances settled into St. Anthony’s Village, making their little apartment a home. In 2020, during the pandemic, Augie and Frances moved in with their daughter Tina Marie & son-in-law Scott, where Tina could look after them full time. Augie spent his days making espresso, balancing his checkbook, watching sports, playing Sudoku, and reminiscing about old times. Augie was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. Most people describe him as gentle, kind, loyal, accepting, and full of love. He will be forever missed by those who loved and knew him. He is survived by his loving children Gary Gatto & Tina Marie Jarvis (Scott); his three grandchildren, Dario & Gina Gatto and Adrienne Sabin (Aaron), brother Tony Gatto (Sue) and his many adoring nieces, nephews, and godchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Frances of 72 years. Augie's love and spirit will live through all of us and we are so grateful to have had him in our lives for so long.