Joseph Anthony Gatto

December 22, 1934 - November 13, 2013
Joseph "Joe" Anthony Gatto was born December 22, 1934 in Pueblo, Colorado and died on November 13, 2013 in Los Angeles. After World War II, Joe moved to Los Angeles with his family, where he attended Fairfax High School and lettered in four sports. Joe served in the US Army, stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington. Joe graduated with a Bachelor's from California State University Los Angeles. He later earned a Master's in Education from Pepperdine University, and a Master's in Design from Cal. State LA. Joe was the first in his family to graduate from college and to earn advanced degrees.

As a young teenager, Joe demonstrated a dedication to hard work and to education-starting out by bagging groceries in order to help support his family and pay his way through college. In the 1960s, Joe began to travel the world, visiting Western Europe, Russia, Egypt, and Japan. In 1968 he married and subsequently had three children. In 1978, Joe moved his family to the Silver Lake neighborhood.

In 1985, he helped to found the LA County High School for the Arts, and served as Dean of the Visual Arts Department until he retired at age 67. Joe also taught at Otis Parsons and Art Center College of Design. During his 50 years in the classroom, Joe inspired thousands of students with a unique philosophy on teaching.

Joe was awarded the Bravo Award as California Arts Teacher of the Year in 1986 and was honored at the White House in 1988 and 1989. Joe received the California and Pacific Region Art Educator of the Year in 1990.

Joe enjoyed classical to bluegrass music; cooking dinner for his family; restoring antique furniture; photography; painting; speaking the Italian language; making his own preserves, sausage, and liquers; and was an avid reader. He made unique hand-crafted jewelry, and traveled to exhibit it in museums and at shows. On a given Saturday morning, you could find Joe at a garage sale - he had an eye for "found" objects. Joe loved a good political debate and could talk on just about any subject. Joe also loved to write. He authored many textbooks, on subjects like photography, drawing, design, and the art of cities and his books were used in classrooms from Canada to Texas. One of his books, "Exploring Visual Design" is currently on its 4th Edition. Joe was an environmentalist well before it was popular. He grew fruits and vegetables in his backyard organic garden. Joe was active in his Catholic parish, Our Mother of Good Counsel.

Joe is survived by brothers Don and Frank, daughter Nicole and husband Mark, son Mike and wife Danielle, daughter Mariann and fiancé Eric, grandchildren Damian, Elliana and Evangelina, former wife Isolde, plus countless cousins, admiring students, and loving friends.

The family of Joseph Gatto will hold a funeral service for their father on Monday, November 25, 2013, at 10:00 am, at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church (2060 North Vermont Avenue; 323-664-2111) in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles. A prompt arrival is suggested. Shuttled parking will be available.

A reception in the parish hall will follow the funeral mass. Private burial will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale and will be strictly limited to family and close friends of the deceased.

In lieu of flowers, the Gatto family requests donations be sent to one of their father's three favorite charities:
(1) The Historic Italian Hall Foundation (125 Paseo De la Plaza, Suite 400, Los Angeles, CA 90012; 213-485-8432)
(2) The Los Angeles Community Garden Council (4470 W. Sunset Blvd. #381, Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323-942-WORM)
(3) or, The Tuition Magician, Attn: Joe Gatto Arts Scholarship (4470 West Sunset Blvd. #378, Los Angeles, CA 90027)

Please check www.callanancares.com for full obit and sign online guest book. Callanan & Woods Scovern (818) 242-0258

The Los Angeles Police Department's investigation into Gatto's death is ongoing. There is no new information.