Joseph “Joe” Samuel Gatto, 96, born August 7, 1924 in Brocton, New York, passed September 29, 2020, in Brooksville, Florida. The son of the late Anthony (Tony) and Mary L. (Dolce) Gatto. A life long resident of Brocton, New York and the Town of Portland, New York, he was a graduate of Brocton Central High School, Class of 1942, The Traffic Managers Institute of New York City and the Dale Carnegie Course of Public Speaking. He was inducted into the United States Navy on September 18, 1943, and served aboard the U.S.S. Missouri. He was present at the signing of The Surrender of Japan to the allied forces in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on March 26, 1946. Upon returning to civilian life, he married his fiance’ Estelle Elizabeth Sinare, on November 27, 1947. They had 5 Children. He was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad as an Assistant Station Freight Agent. He was a Transportation Supervisor for The Welch Grape Juice Company for several years and a Supervisor of General Transportation for Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation where he retired after 25 years of service. He was an accomplished farmer and specialized in growing concord grapes. His 40 acre farm prospered for over 18 years. Joe served as past President of the Traffic and Transportation Association of Dunkirk, New York and Traffic Management Instructor at Jamestown Community College, and served on the Board of Directors of the Dunkirk Y.M.C.A. He was elected to the Chautauqua County Legislature District 23 and served from November 1984, to November 1987. He was a member of the American Legion Post 434 of Brocton, New York and the Senior Citizens Organization of the Town of Portland. He was a life-time member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church of Brocton, now known as St. Dominic’s Catholic Church. Joe’s passions for gardening, hunting and fishing were well known to all that knew him. He married Peggy Franze on June 30, 1985, and together they have 10 Children, and over 46 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family members who predeceased him along with his parents are is first wife, Estelle “Bunny” (Sinare), son, Martin “Marty” Gatto, grandson Jesse Willebrandt, great granddaughter, Toni Marie Gatto, his sister Mary Valvo, his brother, Charles Gatto, his brother-in-law, Carl Valvo and nephew Jerry Valvo, extended family, daughter-in-law Laraine Franze, and grandson Erik Franze. He is survived by is children, Timothy (Connie) Gatto of Homosassa, FL; Steven Gatto of Munroe Falls, OH; Cynthia Willebrandt (Tim) of Hudson, FL; Lori Artz (Stephen) of Brooksville, FL; and his extended children, David Franze of Macclenny, FL; Jeff Franze (Dona) of Bemus Point, NY; Jodie Penfold (Lynn) of Derby, NY; Cindy Orr (Robin) of Brocton, NY; Sue Miller (Pete) of Brocton, NY; Heidi Hill (Jeff) of Longwood, FL and many beloved nieces nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. There will be no calling hours. At the Family’s convenience, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church, Brocton, NY followed by Military Honors and a Celebration of Life at the American Legion Post 434, Brocton, NY. (Date and Time TBA) In lieu of flowers, donations to honor a life well lived may be sent to either the Jesse “Stubb” Willebrandt Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of, Community Bank, 70 E. Main St., Westfield, NY 14787 or to the American Legion Post 434 in Brocton, NY 14716. Inurnment will be at the Mausoleum in the Holy Trinity Cemetery, Dunkirk, NY.