Charles J. Gatti, 85

April 16, 2015

While bowling in the stars lacks the great sound of ten pins exploding in a strike, Charlie J. Gatti Jr. bowls in the stars now. He was an avid bowler who took over thirty years to get his first of several perfect 300 games. But Charlie was more proud of getting inducted into the National Senior (Olympics) Games Association Hall of Fame and for the years of volunteer work he did with the Special Olympics. He showed off his gold medal proudly.

Charles J. Gatti was born September 22, 1929, and he died March 16, 2015 after a short illness. He was raised in McKee’s Rocks, PA. He served in the Army in World War II. He earned an engineering degree from Temple University. Then he worked in the aeronautics industry for over 35 years traveling to Baltimore, Cape Canaveral, Okinawa, Little Rock, Denver, Philadelphia, and St. Louis. He and his wife moved to Lancaster 10 years ago to be closer to family. He was very active in the Senior Olympics and the Lancaster Senior Center. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Ruth N. Gatti (Stopfel), his sons and their wives Jimmy (Sandy), Charlie, and Keith (Julie), his grandchildren Phyllis, Cheryl, Jimmy, Jacob and Andrew, his five great-grandchildren, and many friends – some of whom bowl.
Services will be held at a later date.