Joseph A. Gattoni

MILFORD — Attorney Joseph A. Gattoni, 81, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 20, 2008, in the Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Harriett A. (Consoletti) Gattoni. Mr. and Mrs. Gattoni observed their 55th wedding anniversary on May 16, 2008.

Mr. Gattoni founded his own law practice on Main Street in Milford and had been an attorney for more than 50 years.

Mr. Gattoni was born Oct. 23, 1926, in Milford and was the son of the late Alessandro and Angelina (Calderara) Gattoni. He had been a lifelong resident of Milford. He was a graduate of Milford High School, Class of 1944. Attorney Gattoni received his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and his law degree from Northeastern University Law School in 1952. He became a member of the Massachusetts Bar in 1952.

Mr. Gattoni was a machinist's mate, third class, in the Navy Seabees during World War II. He received the Victory Medal, the American Area Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the Philippine Liberation Medal.

He was on the Milford Town Council and was chairman of the Republican Town Committee of Milford for many years. He was the police prosecutor for Milford and served as counsel to the Mendon Housing Authority. Attorney Gattoni was a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and the Worcester County Bar Association. He was also a member of the Universalist Church and served for 25 years as chairman of the board of trustees of the church and the church's counsel.

Attorney Gattoni played Legion baseball in his younger years. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling and playing bocce. Attorney Gattoni was a member of the Italian-American Veterans Post in Milford. He enjoyed playing cards with his card group. The most important thing in his life was his family.

In addition to his wife, attorney Gattoni is survived by three sons, Paul J. Gattoni of Milford, Joseph M. and his wife, Lucy Gattoni of Milford and attorney Todd A. and his wife, Kathleen Gattoni of East Sandwich; seven grandchildren, Moira Katherine, Brendan Joseph, Meredith Cadence (wife of Peter Wood), Bianca Allix, Trevor Maynard, Deirdre Ann and Ryan Todd; two great-grandchildren, Aaron Matthew Wood and Eli Joseph Wood; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, John Gattoni, Charles Gattoni and Alfred Gattoni, and one sister, Adele J. Molinari.

Private funeral services with full military honors will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Milford. Visiting hours for attorney Gattoni will be Thursday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford 01757.

Close friends and family are invited to share in the celebration of Joseph A. Gattoni's life at Restaurant 45, 45 Milford Road, Medway 02053 at noon on Friday, Oct. 24, 2008.

Memorial donations in Mr. Gattoni's memory may be made to the Milford Regional Medical Center, 14 Prospect St., Milford, MA 01757 or the Visiting Nurse Association of Greater Milford-Northbridge Area, 25 Birch St. Bldg. B, Suite B1, Milford, MA 01757.

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