Obituary of Richard V. Gatto

RICHARD V. GATTO Slingerlands - Richard V. Gatto, 88 of Slingerlands, beloved husband of Marian (Carlson) Gatto entered peacefully into eternal life on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at St. Peter's Hospital, in Albany. Born in Amsterdam, NY on June 17, 1932, he was the son of the late James and Nancy (Fabozzi) Gatto. In addition to his wife Marian, Richard is survived by his loving siblings Angela Massey and Robert (Beth) Gatto. Richard also leaves his longtime Colorado friends Dan and Robyn Alsop. Richard graduated from LaSalle Institute where he met his lifelong friends Bill Diehl and Hyck DerGurahian. At LaSalle, as co-captain, he loved playing varsity basketball. He was known for being a "slick play maker and high scorer" earning him the nick name "Rapid Richard". Richard served in the Air Force during the Korean War from 1952 to 1956, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was stationed in Seoul South Korea, and then Cheyenne, Wyoming. While stationed in Cheyenne, he met and married Marian, his wife of 64 years. Richard also attended Regis College and Arapaho Community College in Denver, Colorado, where Richard and Marian resided for over 60 years. He worked in Finance for Triax Communication, U.S. West Financial Services and Bank Western. Given many corporate mergers and acquisition, he worked for a number of corporations before his retirement. Those who know Richard can count on him for a joke or kind words. He was a sensitive soul who liked to make others smile. He appreciated the important things in life like holding his wife's hand or eating mint chip ice cream. Richard and Marian recently moved back to the Albany area to be close to family. Interment with full military honors will be in Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville. On Tuesday, December 22, at 1:30 pm. For directions, information, or to light a memory candle for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.