Mr. Gary A. Gattuso

Mr. Gary A. Gattuso, 68, of 66 Spring St. Adams, died Tuesday afternoon, March 24, 2015, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield. He was born in North Adams on January 16, 1947, a son of the late Anthony and Marie Louise (Lefebvre) Gattuso. He attended North Adams schools, was a Patrol Leader for Boy Scout Troop # 63 at St. Francis Parish, and graduated from Drury High School. Gary went on active duty with the US Navy, serving aboard the heavy missile cruiser USS ALBANY (CG 10) as a Boatswain Mate 3rd Class and was a "plank owner" when he was on the recommissioning crew in Boston Harbor in the Fall of 1968. On July 4, 1969, while on watch on the Quarterdeck, he met and talked with Col. John Glenn, the astronaut. He was awarded the Navy Good Conduct Medal, and the National Defense, Vietnam Service, Vietnam Campaign and Cold War Medals. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he worked in the Power Transformer division of General Electric Co. in Pittsfield for 23 years, mainly as a finish spray painter, crane operator and assembler, until the plant closed. He then held several other jobs in the area until his retirement. He was a communicant of the Parish of St. John Paul II, Adams. He was a longtime member of Adams Post 160 American Legion, where he served as Post Historian since 1995 and was a member of the Firing Squad and Color Guard. He was also a member of the USS Albany Association. He enjoyed writing short stories and poetry, fishing, camping and deer hunting ("The safest place for a deer to be during deer season is where I was hunting").He was an avid reader, and was a "student" of ancient Egyptian and Roman history. He especially enjoyed time spent with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, the former Kay E. White, whom he married on October 5, 1974; a daughter, Melissa Gattuso and her fiancée, Brian Gajda, of Adams; a son, Christopher Gattuso and his fiancée, Amber Bristol, of Adams; 5 Grandchildren, Connor and Alayna Gattuso-Gajda; and Justyn, Ethan and Dylan Gattuso; a brother, Anthony Gattuso, Jr. of Pittsfield; a sister, Barbara Serre of North Adams, as well as several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins, most notably his first cousin, film actor Frank Vincent. Funeral services and burial with military honors in Southview Cemetery, North Adams, will be held at a date to be announced later in Spring. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life- Connor's Crew , 15 Bieniek Ave. Adams, MA 01220; or online at RelayForLife.org The PACIOREK FUNERAL HOME, 13 Hoosac St. Adams, is in charge of arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, please go online to www.paciorekfuneral.com

Mr. Gary A. Gattuso

January 16, 1947 - March 24, 2015