Jerry T. Gatta, 78, of Niles died at 6:15PM Monday, January 9, 2012 at his residence.

He was born December 9, 1933 in Niles, the son of Pasquale and Antoinette Toriello Gatta.

He was a 1951 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and was employed for 39 years at National Gypsum in Niles as a shipping and machine operator before retiring in 1991.

Jerry, who always witty, was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Niles, Niles Lions Club, Wednesday Italian Club, Bagnoli Iripino Club, and Treasurer of Local 1405. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, attending their soccer games, and was an avid Niles McKinley Red Dragon fan.

He was a United States Army Veteran of The Korean War having served in a post office in Germany from June 1956 to May 1958.

Jerry, who always said " Anyone can be bad, it's hard to be good. Be good!" will be deeply missed by his wife Constance Toto Gatta whom he married February 20, 1965, a son Christopher Gatta of Niles, a daughter Dori Gatta MacMillan and her husband Scott of Niles; four brothers, Lawrence Gatta and his wife Bertha, Norman Gatta and his wife Santa, Dominick Gatta and his wife Marilyn, all of Niles, and Anthony Gatta and his wife Rozilyn of Howland; six grandchildren, Alycia Gatta, Christian Gatta, Josh MacMillan and his wife Amber, Alexandria Amburgey and her husband Johnny, Shea MacMillan, and Keir MacMillan; and four great-grandchildren, Isabella Montgomery, Auriella Amburgey, Mia MacMillan, and Colin MacMillan, all of Niles.

He is preceded in death by his parents, a sister Rose Gatta Aurilio and her husband, Geno Aurilio.

Calling hours are private.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30AM Thursday at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Niles with Fr. Nicholas Shori officiating.

Burial will be in Niles City Cemetery.

Family and friends can view this obituary, sign the guestbook, and send e-mail condolences at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.