Obituary of Richard Stephen Gattoni

Richard Stephen Gattoni passed away peacefully on February 9, 2018 in the comfort of his home at the age of 94. Richard was predeceased by his beloved wife of 67 years, Ruth Meisinger. He leaves behind his five proud children and their spouses, Richard and Patricia Gattoni, Carol and Peter Lohne, William and Deborah Gattoni, Susan and Dennis Kelly, and Stephen and Jacqueline Gattoni, his 14 grandchildren, and his 15 great-grandchildren.

Richard was born in West Hoboken, New Jersey on June 4^th, 1923, and was a lifelong New Jersey resident. He lived in Weehawken from 1928-1947, Fair Lawn from 1947-1955, and Wyckoff from 1955 until present. He attended Columbia University and graduated with a degree from Philadelphia Textile Institute in 1949. Richard held US patent #3187782, which is for terry cloth velour and the method of making it. He was employed by Collins and Aikman (1940-1955), West Point Manufacturing as the Art Director and Project Manager (1955-1973), Springs Mills as the Product Manager (1973-1974), and Fieldcrest-Cannon Mills as the Product Manager (1975-1991).

Richard entered the army in 1943 after his 20^th birthday. He served in both World War II (1943-1946) and the Korean conflict (1950-1952). After reporting to Fort Dix in 1943, Richard was appointed Acting Corporal Squad leader. At the completion of a 13-week basic infantry training program, he was promoted to Acting Corporal Platoon Sergeant of the 2^nd Platoon, Company D, Heavy Weapons. His good friend, John Bailey, became Platoon Sergeant of the 1^st Platoon and they would act as a team, demonstrating weapons such as the 81mm and 4.2” Chemical mortars, 30-caliber water-cooled heavy machine guns, Garand rifles, 45-caliber pistols, bayonets, hand grenades, etc. He received numerous medals, including a Bronze Star Medal, for his heroic actions. Richard was a life member of the American Legion Post 57 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1049.

Visiting, Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home,  www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481.  A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday 11 am at Advent Lutheran Church, 777 Wyckoff Ave. Wyckoff, NJ.  Interment will follow in the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery, Wyckoff, NJ.

In Lieu of flowers donations to VFW Post 1049, PO Box 215, Waldwick, NJ 07463 OR Advent Lutheran Church, 777 Wyckoff Ave. Wyckoff, NJ 07481 would be appreciated.