Community Corner

Joseph Gatto Remembered at Packed Funeral Service in Los Feliz

More than 1,000 people attended funeral services for Joseph Gatto, including state and local politicians.

By City News Service

An overflow crowd of friends, relatives and former students packed a Los Feliz church today for the funeral of Joseph Gatto, the 78-year-old father of Assemblyman Mike Gatto.

Joseph Gatto, a former teacher, was shot to death Nov. 13 in his home in the 2800 block of Bright Lane in Silver Lake. The killer remains at large.

More than 1,000 people attended the service at Our Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church, including hundreds of students taught by Gatto during his nearly half-century in the classroom.

City Councilman Joe Buscaino was among the mourners attending the service. He told reporters he was there to "celebrate Mr. Gatto's life -- a life that was filled with so much love and his ability to teach and touch so many art students, and also reflect on how much of a loving husband, father, grandfather he was."

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Police are continuing to investigate Gatto's killing. Investigators recently circulated fliers in the Silver Lake community with a drawing of a possible suspect.

The suspect was spotted the night before the killing and threatened witnesses with death when he was caught breaking into a vehicle in the 2300 block of Moreno Drive, according to Officer Sara Faden of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Section.

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When the first of two witnesses confronted the suspect, he pointed a gun and threatened to kill her. When another witness confronted the suspect, he repeated the threat. He then fled on foot down public stairs on Tesla Avenue.

The suspect was described as white, 5 feet 9 inches, 180 pounds, and in his early 20s. He was wearing a multi-colored hooded sweatshirt and tan pants, a tan backpack and displayed a handgun.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call Los Angeles police detectives Barry Telis or Chris Gable at (213) 486-6890 or the LAPD's hotline at (877) 527-3247.

Gatto's family asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to one of three charities:

  • The Historic Italian Hall Foundation, 125 Paseo De La Plaza, suite 400, Los Angeles, 90012.
  • The Los Angeles Community Garden Council, 4470 W. Sunset Blvd. #381, Los Angeles, 90027.
  • The Tuition Magician, Attn: Joe Gatto Arts Scholarship, 4470 W. Sunset Blvd #378, Los Angeles, 90027.



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