Gatto, Anthony N. (Tony) Age 71, passed away unexpectedly Christmas Day.  Tony was born May 4, 1940 inBrooklyn,NYto Rose and Frank Gatto. He grew up inSouth Brooklynin a cold-water flat with his parents and sister Dolores Failla. He graduated from Manual Training High School in Brooklyn and worked for many years in HVAC sales.  In recent years he loved working with his colleagues at Home Depot. Tony leaves behind his loving wife of 25 years, Bette Jean. He was the father of Lisa Varvar, her husband, Tony, and Paul Gatto; cherished grandfather of Kristen, Anthony and Justin Varvar, Deanna and Paul Gatto, and Ezra and Nathaniel Korn-Meyer and favorite step-father of Alan and Stan Meyer, and his wife, Shoshanna. Tony is also survived by his first wife, Lucy Soltis. Tony was fiercely loyal to his family, a gentle and caring man with a wicked sense of humor and an abiding love for his blackberry phone. His warmth and compassion will be dearly missed.

A Funeral Mass will be offered on Wednesday December 28, 2011 at 12:30pm at St. Mary Of The Pines Church, Manahawkin, NJ., followed by Entombment at Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River, NJ.

Visitation hours will be on Wednesday from 11am-12pm at Maxwell Funeral Home 573 Mill Creek Rd., Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

The family is accepting flowers or donations to The American Heart Association .For driving directions to the funeral home or to send condolences please go to www.maxwellfuneralhome.com.