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View Winners → Obituary: John Gatt, Volunteer With a Heart Of Gold
Monrovia Weekly Apr 29, 2020
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Dec. 20 1932–April 11, 2020
John Joseph Gatt passed away April 11, 2020 with his family by his side.
When compiling information for this notice, I was struck by the numberof people who said John was the catalyst in Knights of Columbus to startanything that would benefit the Monrovia community.
He was born Dec. 20, 1932 to George Gatt and Catherine Barbara inVittorriosa Malta. He had one sister and two brothers and was the second oldestchild. He served in the British Navy as a seaman for 16 years and enjoyed cliffdiving into the Mediterranean Sea. He was married to his beloved wife, Carmen,for 64 years and immigrated to the United States with his wife and two childrenwith the hope of making a better life for his family.
As a young couple, he and Carmen purchased a home in Monrovia whilesending his kids to Immaculate Conception Church School. Carmen would walk themthere daily.
After his retirement he joined the Knights of Columbus, Chapter 1242 inMonrovia on Oct. 1, 1980. He had a flare for cooking, something hehad done in the service, and worked along other brothers in variouscharitable ventures.
John soon took over the cooking duties and loved to create mealsas a way to bring others together under one roof. He cooked for church picnics,festivals, and gatherings of anywhere from 10-300 people. John never shiedaway from large crowds and always found food and drinks when more people wouldshow up, according to David Villegas, past grand knight #1242.
As a Monrovia Knight of Columbus, John spearheaded many events withhis Brothers including efforts at the Monrovia Firefighters’ Breakfastduring Monrovia Days and pulling in his fellow Knights to man the grills tomingle with those at the event.
He made 150-200 spaghetti dinners to fundraise for the CarmeliteSisters Novitiate program for tuition and other costs. He cooked breakfasts forlocal Cub Pack 66 each December before they went out and distributed KnightsChristmas Baskets to local families in need. Before the stay-at-homeorders came down due to COVID-19 John was in the midst of one the Knights’ mostattended Lenten Friday Fish Fry’s, cooking over 200 meals each Friday prior tothe quarantines.
John’s passion was assisting students at Immaculate Conception Schoolcontinuing their Catholic education into high school. Each fall andthrough the spring John would manage to serve 200 breakfasts after Sundaymasses in the church hall to raise money for scholarships (up to $500 each). Heenjoyed attending the graduation ceremonies to award the scholarships. Threeyears ago the council renamed the scholarship in his honor; the John GattKnights of Columbus Scholarship is responsible for over $50,000 in scholarshipsover the last 25-30 years. This is what he was most proud of.
He dedicated himself to others in every aspect of the word. Hisoutreach for those in need and countless acts of charity make him stand tallabove most but you’d never know it if you ever talked to this very humble man.
He worked as a machine operator at a chemical plant for 26 years andwas committed to providing his four children with a private catholic education.Once retired, he immediately became active with the Knights of Columbus atImmaculate Conception Church and volunteered his time. He became well known inthe community and with the fire and police departments, and touched the livesof many. He was a devoted catholic and attended church every Sunday whilevolunteering as an usher. John was a devoted husband and father and leavesbehind his wife Carmen, children Marie, Doreen, George, and John, eightgrandchildren, four great-grandchildren, his sister Mary, and brothers Larryand Joseph. John will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery. A mass andcelebration of life will be held at a later date.
