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Donald Wencil Gatto, a.k.a."Super G", passed away Thursday, May 10, 2001, after complications from surgery on Monday, May 7, 2001 at Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque. Don was born on May 12, 1931 in Cedar Rapids, IA and would have celebrated his 70th birthday this Saturday. He was the oldest of five from a traditional Italian immigrant family. Don has always been a strong leader and very personable man. He made a point of making friends wherever he went and always remembered faces and specifics about people's lives and will be missed by a great many friends. He is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Gatto of Albuquerque; sons, Steven Gatto and wife, Tami of Henderson, TX, and Thomas Gatto and wife, Jane of Monmouth, ME; stepson, Brady Womack and wife, Claire Goldstein of Albuquerque; stepdaughter, Brenda and her children, Jayson, Jacque, and Shawna Grover, and Jonathan Beck, all of Las Cruces; mother-in-law, Nadine Myers of Albuquerque; brother, August Gatto of Chicago, IL; sisters, Pat Crawford and Jean Lubbock of Cedar Rapids, IA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his younger Brother, Bernard Wencil Gatto. Don was athletic in his youth, having played on numerous teams in school and grew to be a very active community member. He was voted the Jaycee of the Year before leaving Cedar Rapids in 1971. In the past, he has served as President of the parish council at Sangre de Cristo Catholic Community, and was currently Eucharistic and Bereavement Minister at John XXIII Catholic Community in Albuquerque. He had made many close friendships and brightened the lives of many of the elderly and confined through his ministry to those with Alzheimer's and in assisted living. He was a regular of the"Flying Star" formerly"Double Rainbow" coffee club, as well as past president of the Coronado Wolf Pack (Lobo Booster Club). Retired from property management at Sandia National Laboratories in 1996, where he received the President's Quality Award, he spent much of his time serving in the community and traveling to watch the Lobos and his grandchildren in their various sports activities, the fan section will suffer his loss. Don will be remembered for his outreach to others, his support of those less fortunate than himself and the guidance he so freely and willingly gave. We will miss him greatly here, but recognize that he is now serving his Heavenly Father elsewhere. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, May 14, 2001, 10:00 a.m., at John XXIII Catholic Community. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Adopt A Mission, c/o John XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge NE, 87111 in Don's name and memory.
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