Ronald Joseph Gatto, 80, of Dayton, Tennessee, died on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at his home, with his family at his side.
He was born in Winstead, CT, on April 30, 1936 to the late Mary Graniello, Long Island, NY and Joseph Gatto, Connecticut; and was also preceded in death by his grandson, Richard Martin Brooks Jr.; and step-son, Keith Edward Pfenniger.
He is survived by his children, Dawn Marie Gatto Brooks, Denise Gail Gatto Trissel (Paul), Ronald Joseph Gatto Jr and Grace Lynn Gatto Zophres (Theo); his beloved wife, Phyllis Rutan Pfenniger Gatto; step-children, Richard C. Pfenniger Jr (Gemma Rosella), Laura Lee Lamson and Brigitte Lynn Ziegler; eight grandchildren, Robert E Swarthout III, Bradley Alan Swarthout, Riley Pfenniger, Griffin Pfenniger, Zoe Angeline Ziegler, Rachel Trissel, Jake Zophres and Carson Zophres; and one great-grandchild, Fernando Trissel.
Ron grew up surrounded by caring parents and extended family members---grandparents, uncles and aunts---living in the Patchoque, Long Island, New York and Connecticut areas. As a teen, he and his family relocated to Florida. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1956, where is served in Ramstein Air Base in Germany. Following his military service he returned to Hollywood, FL, where he learned skills in the sand casting foundry process. He soon opened his own Broward Casting Foundry, a business still in operation under his children’s management more than 60 years later. Ron earned the respect of fellow businessmen by providing quality products and services to his growing list of customers. He retired early by most standards with an interest in trying something “new”. After exploring where he wanted to be, he and Phyllis moved from Florida to find their version of Paradise in Dayton, TN. They purchased 100 acres and proceeded to learn how to make his next dream happen. Ron built a home, accumulated an inventory of necessary farm tools; tractor, backhoe, bulldozer, etc, and opened his pastures to cattle, pigs, goats, emu and llama while he learned as he went along about the aspects of farming. Since this was not a challenge that was easy to make happen, Ron was humbled and finally admitted that farmers really needed to be appreciated. He generously shared this adventure with many friends. He and Phyllis also loved to travel, touching almost every corner of the world. Ron tried to leave no stone unturned. He lived life to the fullest and was not afraid to try anything that interested him. He will be greatly missed by his family and the many friends and employees that his life touched.
Per Ron's request, there will be no formal services at this time.
Companion Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.