Brownlie Maxwell

Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home P.A.
1010 E. Palmetto Ave., Melbourne, FL 32901
[email protected]
(321) 723-2345
Brownlie & Maxwell Funeral Home | Melbourne Florida

Michael Vincent Gatto

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on October 14, 1925
Departed in Melbourne, Florida on February 11, 2019

Michael Vincent Gatto, a very special man, left this world holding the hand of his Savior on February 11, 2019, with his loving family by his side. He was 93 years old.
Mike was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, the son of Nuncy and Mamie Gatto on October 14, 1925. After graduating from high school during World War II, he joined the Marine Corps and spent three years serving in the Pacific, including the battle of Okinawa. After the war, he enrolled in Louisiana State University where he completed his education and then went to work for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company where he spent twenty-two years rising to the position of Sales and Marketing Manager for the Kelly Springfield Tire Company. In 1970, Mike left Goodyear and purchased a tire dealership in Melbourne, and today Gatto’s Tires and Auto Service has stores throughout Brevard County. Mike’s daughter, Pam Gatto, is President of the company, and Mike’s grandsons Mike and Scott McHenry and grandson in law, Mike Nevin, make Gatto’s Tires and Auto Service a three-generation family company.
Mike has participated in and led many civic and not for profit organizations in the county, serving as President of the Eau Gallie Rotary Club, Vice Mayor of the city of Melbourne, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Melbourne Airport Authority, Chairman of Health First, Commodore of the Eau Gallie Yacht Club and Founding Member and President of the Spacecoast Tiger Bay Club. In 2000, he was honored by the Junior Achievement of East Central Florida and inducted into the Business Hall of Fame.
Mike is survived by his wife, Carole, his son Ed Gatto (Kellie), daughters Pam Gatto (John Gallo) and Mimi Hammond (Greg) and step son Brett Dowden (Summer). He is also survived by his grandchildren Mike McHenry (Beverly), Scott McHenry, Alli Nevin (Mike) Eddie Gatto, Katti Gatto, and Kristina Herndon (Marc). Mike has eight great grandchildren: Abby, Olivia, Trip, Mason, and Piper McHenry, Julia and Justin Nevin, and Sofie Herndon.
Calling hours will be Friday February 15th from 4pm to 7pm at the Brownlie – Maxwell Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday February 16th at 10am in the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will take place in the Eau Gallie Cemetery following the Mass.

Guestbook Entry

 
 
 
 
 
 
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4 entries.
Jack Winterton from Peachtree City wrote on February 19, 2019:
Mike was one of the classiest guys in the tire industry and I was and will always be grateful for how he treated me as a younger entry in tire industry management. Pam, the apple does not fall far from the tree either. God bless you and your family at this time. Our prayers are with you, Jack and Andrea Winterton
Ginny Kopp from Melbourne wrote on February 13, 2019:
Mr. Gatto ,you will be greatly missed. I always loved seeing you come in to Pro Health Gym and have that big beautiful smile on your face. God bless the Gatto Family as they all go through this difficult time. My condolence to the family.
ginny kopp from melbourne wrote on February 13, 2019:
You will be greatly missed. I will miss that beautiful smile as you always came into Pro Health gym. God bless the Gatto family as you all go though this difficult time.
ginny kopp from melbourne wrote on February 13, 2019:
I will miss you deeply. That beautiful smile ,you always had as you came into the gym. God bless the Gatto family as you all go though this difficult time.