“By air, land and sea, pursuing happiness.”

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William “Willie” Edward Gatti, 60, died unexpectedly July 30, 2021 in Salt Lake City, UT. He was born March 29, 1961 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the first son of Horacio and Nelida Gatti.

Willie graduated from St. Brendan’s College in Buenos Aires, Class of 1978. He met Emilia when he was 27 and they married shortly after. In 1989, they welcomed their first child, Fred. Later they moved to the US, where Willie worked for an automotive research and development company in Southern California and made several lifelong friends and worked on award-winning projects. In 1994, they were blessed with a daughter, Victoria. In the following years, Willie acquired his private pilot’s license and enjoyed flying his family to Catalina Island. A career opportunity with 3Form led Willie and his family to plant new roots in Utah. This new chapter allowed him to travel the world near and far and experience a wide spectrum of cultures and cuisines. Willie later worked with Texaa based in France, which provided him the opportunity to fine tune his palate and grow his love of wine and les belles choses de la vie. In his free time, Willie loved riding his motorcycle with his beloved Emilia cruising through the Cottonwood Canyons and later with the Piratas del Asfalto (his riding buddies), taking his sailboat, the Dragonfly, out on the Great Salt Lake and donating his time to Volunteers in Police Services with the Sandy City Police Department. Willie also loved spending time in nature and camping with his family and friends in their motor home.

He was predeceased by his father, Horacio, and his dogs, Floppy, Lala, and Delilah. He is survived by his mother Nelida P. De Gatti, wife Emilia, his children Fred and Victoria, and their partners, Katie and Peyton; siblings Marcela, Laura and Franco, Fernando and Carmen; nieces, nephews and great nephew. He is also survived by his beloved beagle, Winston, 16, and his handsome grand-dog, Oatti, 4.

Even if you only knew Willie for a short time, he made an impact on your life. He was often described as generous, selfless (always looking for a way to help his friends and family), witty, valiant, inspiring, hard-working, and inquisitive. Most say they were lucky to know him. He had a contagious smile, bigger than life personality, and always entertained new and old friends with his gifted storytelling. He was admired for his kindness, tenderness, creativity, and positive outlook on life.

Emilia and her family would like to sincerely thank all of Willie’s amazing medical teams at Huntsman Cancer Institute, Intermountain Medical Center, and Utah Cancer Specialists, especially Dr. Jonathan Whisenant, his oncologist and friend of 10 years. The family is very grateful for the rest of Willie’s healing team: Dr. George Cannon, Dr. Don Cannon, Dr. Sarah Menacho, Ron Young, and Willie’s Truth Seekers group. Emilia would also like to thank her CHG Healthcare Legal Family for their love, support, and generosity.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 6, at 11 a.m., where a gathering will begin at 10 a.m. at Larkin Sunset Gardens, Le Jardin, 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, UT 84092. Masks are encouraged. Those wishing to watch the services which took place may do so via the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/nULOFUy5RE2t5SOOfemsAIKUPKNtH0jVihF4w5-f7zR30Zp1ARgT7N7xaMDxd5uQ.8ub294GTbb6TeDlR?startTime=1628268264000. A free Zoom account is required to be able to log into that link.

In lieu of flowers, the family has designated a donation page in Willie’s name to Huntsman Cancer Foundation at: https://hope.huntsmancancer.org/diy/in-honor-of-willie-gatti


“Por aire, tierra y mar, buscando la felicidad.”

Guillermo “Willie” Eduardo Gatti de 60 años falleció en la ciudad de Salt Lake City, Utah, el 30 de Julio del 2021. Fue el primer hijo de Nélida y Horacio Gatti, habiendo nacido el 29 de Marzo de 1961 en Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Willie se graduó del colegio Saint Brenan en Bueno Aires en 1978. Conoció a su esposa Emilia a los 27 años y poco tiempo después contrajeron matrimonio. En 1989 nació Federico, el primer hijo de la pareja. Tiempo mas tarde se mudaron a Estados Unidos donde Willie trabajo en una empresa de diseño y desarrollo de automotores en el sur de California lugar en el cual entabló entrañables amistades y trabajó en exitosos y premiados proyectos. En 1994 el matrimonio fue bendecido con el nacimiento de su hija Victoria. Años siguientes Willie adquirió su licencia de piloto privado y disfrutaba llevar a la familia de paseo por la Isla Catalina en la costa del Pacifico. El amor que Willie tenía por la naturaleza y la vida al aire libre creció a lo largo de los años y disfrutaba salir con su familia y amigos en viajes de camping y más recientemente en su casa rodante. Una oportunidad laboral con la compañía 3Form llevo a que Willie y su familia plantaran nuevas raíces en Utah. Este nuevo capitulo en su vida lo llevó a viajar por el mundo, tanto lugares cercanos como remotos, a conocer gran diversidad de culturas y disfrutar cocinas y delicadeces variadas. Durante estos últimos años Willie trabajo para la compañía francesa Texaa lo cual brindó otra oportunidad para que Willie refinara su paladar, su conocimiento y apreciación por los vinos y les belles choses de la vie. Durante su tiempo libre disfrutaba inmensamente los paseos en moto con su amada compañera Emilia por los cañadones de las montañas Wasatch y luego con su grupo Los Piratas del Asfalto. Disfrutaba salir con su velero Dragonfly por el Gran Lago Salado y también donar su tiempo con los Voluntarios de la Policía de Sandy.

Willie fue precedido por el fallecimiento de su padre Horacio y sus perritos Lala, Floppy y Delilah. Lo sobreviven su madre, Nélida P. de Gatti, su esposa Emilia, sus hijos Federico y Victoria y sus parejas Katie y Peyton, hermana/os Marcela, Laura, Franco, Fernando y Carmen, sobrinas, sobrinos y su sobrino nieto. También los sobrevive su amado Beagle, Winston de 16 años y su precioso perro-nieto Oatti de 4 años.

Quienes conocieron a Willie, así fuera por un tiempo corto, sabrán el impacto que causaba. Willie era una persona sumamente cálida, generosa, siempre dispuesta ayudar y resolver cuando fuera necesario y oportuno, gozaba de una inteligencia brillante, era valiente, inspirador, trabajador y un as de la conversación. Quienes lo conocieron dirían que tuvieron suerte de haberlo hecho, de disfrutar su sonrisa contagiosa, su personalidad mas grande que la vida misma, fue muy admirado por su generosidad, su dulzura, su hospitalidad, creatividad y optimismo.

Su esposa Emilia y familia quieren agradecer profundamente al fabuloso equipo médico del instituto de investigación del cáncer Huntsman, el hospital Inter Mountain y muy especialmente a los especialistas doctor Jonathan Whisenant, su oncólogo y amigo durante los últimos 10 años. La familia quiere agradecer al Dr. George Cannon, Dr. Don Cannon, Dr. Sarah Menacho, Ron Young, y al grupo de Seguidores de la Verdad. Emilia también quisiera agradecer a su compañeros de trabajo, CHG Healthcare Legal Family por su amor, apoyo y generosidad.

La Ceremonia de Celebración de Vida de Willie se llevará a cabo el viernes 6 de Agosto a las 11:00 horas. La reunión comenzara a las 10:00 en Larkin Sunset Gardens, Le Jardin, ubicado en 1950 E. Dimple Dell Road (10600 S.), Sandy, UT 84092. Quienes quieran observar la ceremonia pueden hacerlo remotamente vía Zoom en el siguiente enlace comenzando a las 11:00 a.m. Una cuenta de zoom gratis es necesaria para poder acceder el enlace https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81658429442

En lugar de flores, la familia agradece las donaciones en nombre de Willie al Huntsman Cancer Foundation en: https://hope.huntsmancancer.org/diy/in-honor-of-willie-gatti

Services

Visitation

Friday, Aug. 06, 2021 10:00 AM - 10:55 AM
Larkin Sunset Gardens - LeJardin
1950 E. Dimple Dell Road
Sandy, UT 84092

Celebration of Life

Friday, Aug. 06, 2021 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Larkin Sunset Gardens - LeJardin
1950 E. Dimple Dell Road
Sandy, UT 84092

Services Handled By

Larkin Sunset Gardens
1950 E 10600 S
Sandy, UT

Life Story Info

Post Date

Aug 03, 2021

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Age

60
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Guestbook

Dear Emilia, family and friends,

Willie's sudden and unfair passing has caused a great sadness on this side of the pond. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed getting to know him at a personal level. I will never forget the days we spent together, with both Willie & Emily (such a gracious couple!), in Bordeaux, sipping wine while laughing at all the silly anecdotes of our respective trips throughout the years. Willie had so much wisdom and compassion, showing composure at all times; he was intelligent at life and a true example of a family man, I was looking up to him.

Every time I pop a bottle of Pouilly-Fuissé, I will cheer to Willie and to these memories. Gone but not forgotten.

Always,

Chris.

Christophe Louis Foulonneau Aug 12, 2021

Dear Willie’s family and friends

I met Willie when we were both working for Texaa. I immediatly admired his joy of Life, his stories, his smile. We liked to chat over a good glass of wine about hiking, camping, life in France and Utah. He supported my pizzeria project and gave me a lot of energy to pursue my dreams.

I am so sad that he left and so grateful to have crossed his path.

Cheers Willie, You were so awesome !

Anne-Lise (Lizzie) Gibbons

Gibbons Aug 09, 2021

Willie & Emily have been our neighbors for about 8years. We had a dog that was near the end of her life & she was happiest laying in their front yard. Thank goodness, Willie told us it's Story's yard, they just lived in the house.

I will miss talking about everything under the sun with Willie, I will miss that a lot. He was a smart guy, a kind person, a great story teller & a wonderful neighbor.

My dog, Aspen, will miss him too. Every time Willie came in or went out, he made sure to run in the house & return with a treat & a kind word for Aspen (Emily does this too).

My life is better for having known Willie & emptier, now that he is gone.

Fred Schubert , Sandy, UT, US Aug 08, 2021

Willie, mon collègue , mon ami ,

Tu es parti , c'est incroyable et impossible !

Il restait tellement de belles choses à faire pour Texaa , pour nous ...

Je t'avais promis de vous présenter mes chats , à Emilie et à toi , de faire un barbecue à la maison , tous ensemble dans cette belle région de France que tu appréciais .

Mon mari , Olivier , aurait été si content de te montrer sa nouvelle moto ... pas une Harley mais une BMW .. le cancer a gagné .. mais ton souvenir est bien vivant !

Emilie , Fred, Victoria , Willie I send you all my "french" condolences .

Christelle

Albertelli Christelle Aug 07, 2021

I am so sorry for your loss.🙏❤️

Estella Gaffoglio , Aliso Viejo, CA, US Aug 06, 2021

We have had the chance to work and spend some wonderful moments with Willie during the past few years.

We’ll always remember his optimism, his smile in every circumstances, and his love of life.

We’ll definitely be missing him.

We send his family and friends all our thoughts.

Tu resteras dans nos souvenirs.

Angelique et Cédric Legrand

Angélique and Cédric Legrand Aug 06, 2021

When I first met Willie, we were happy to find a colleague who seemed smart, humble, and with a good sense of humour. Being based in France, we would only met once in a while but for extended period of time, and with this specificity of traveling with someone, favourable to intimacy : being together 24/7 for several days in a row.

It didn't take long before I discover a remarkable friend, always honest and loyal, willing to do whatever it takes to help, always a wonderful story to tell, always ready for a ride or to go sailing.

And then, as time goes by, I realised his impact, his influence. He would finally appear as an example. He inspired everyone around him. Not just I realised but also my wife Audrey, and my colleagues, and we would discuss it... Sharing how lucky we were to have someone like him around us.

Most impressively, maybe, his indestructable courage and positivism through the battles with cancer along the years. But more important, though less impressive, the permanence and omnipresence of these qualities : positivism and generosity were always the rule, nomatter what.

May this example guide us all.

matthieu Aug 06, 2021

It was my good fortune to meet Willie when he was transitioning from California to Utah.

We spent quite a bit of time together looking at homes. I always looked forward to going to lunch or dinner after we finished looking at houses. The time spent "hanging out" with Willie was a gift. He was a great storyteller and had a wide range of knowledge on a lot of subjects. I laughed harder with "SENIOR" Gatti when we were together than anyone I can think of. You were always welcome and comfortable at the Gatti home. Willie and Emily always made you feel glad you came.

My heart is very heavy thinking about the loss of my friend. It was always lighter after spending any time with Willie. I feel blessed that our paths crossed on Willie's much too brief time on earth. I will always smile when I think of my friend.....

Love to all of the Gatti family and friends.

Kevin Strong , Cottonwood Heights, UT, US Aug 04, 2021

I was not Willie's best friend, but he sure made me feel that way. A talented man who's greatest talent was his friendship. May his memory be eternal.

Dave Harris , Salt Lake City, UT, US Aug 04, 2021

I am sadden by and wish to express my condolences to the Gatti Family. Willie and I have been friends for 10 years after he managed the construction of unique Street Car Shelters in New Orleans.

I remember best his sense of control and his smile. He often took my calls during the games and he shared a good laugh at almost every occasion. His Engineering Skills and understanding of materials are matched by no one. he was good, very good and he had a way of making you as good as he was.

His protection now is over all of us. May God Bless and Keep his Family.

Robert Thornton , New Orleans, LA, US Aug 03, 2021

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