Michael J. Gatti

Michael Gatti found a passion with woodworking and carpentry.  He studied this while at Waltham High School where he graduated in 2023.  In particular with carpentry, his real interest was in furniture making and restoration.  He recently found a hidden treasure of an old inexpensive bureau online that needed a lot of restoration work.  And over several weeks with dedication and patience he restored it to beyond its natural beauty even finding some of the old original handles that were missing.  He also made several furniture pieces in school he was proud of, some of which included intricate inlay with various wood species.   

From an early age he easily mastered piecing together Lego projects, and models.  He even built his first piece of furniture at age 12!  He also loved the beach, most especially York Beach in Maine where he would spend countless hours laying in the warm sun and taking long walks on the beach with his sister, Sarah, mother Rene and his cousin, Jack LaRose.  He also loved climbing the rocks at Nubble Lighthouse.  He was very particular about his food and loved the idea of visiting certain restaurants in York Beach. 

Michael also found a love for cooking the foods he enjoyed especially a nice tender steak or chicken wings on the grill. His father Lou taught him how to use the charcoal grill and how to cook a steak to perfection as well as how to make his grandmother’s spaghetti sauce which was a comfort food for him.  He took great pride when dishes he made came out with perfection.

Those who knew Michael will remember him as a kind, loyal, loving and sometimes goofy son, brother, grandson and friend.  He died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 15, 2024. He was 18.
 
 Michael J. Gatti was born July 19, 2005 in Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital in Brighton.  He leaves his parents, Louis ‘Chip’ Gatti of Waltham and Rene A. LaRose of Lexington; his sister and best friend, Sarah A. Gatti; his grandparents, John and Marilyn (Netto) LaRose of Watertown and the late Louis J. and Phyllis (McKay) Gatti; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. 

Family and friends will honor and remember Michael's life by gathering for calling hours on Thursday, February 22nd, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, (Rte. 20), Waltham. 

Funeral Services are private.