Peter Gatti

In a word, Peter Gatti was a storyteller, a gracious Italian host, and a lifelong friend to many. Peter passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 13, 2024, and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Born Peter Joseph Gatti Jr. on September 28, 1951, to Dr. Peter J. and Edna F. Kelly Gatti, he grew up in Staten Island, NY. As a boy, Peter spent summers working at his parents' lake resort and, during high school, attended as many after-school tapings of Johnny Carson and other late 1960s TV greats as he could before taking the ferry back to Staten Island. His encyclopedic knowledge of TV trivia and Yankees baseball was nothing short of spectacular.

After earning his degrees from College of Staten Island New York (CUNY) and George Mason University Law School, Peter worked on Capitol Hill as a staff member with the US House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee. He dedicated over two decades to the National Industrial Transportation League, serving as vice president for international relations, interim president, and executive vice president before his retirement. During his distinguished career at the NITL, and time as vice president of the International Chamber of Commerce's maritime transport committee, Peter was able to travel the world, bringing back not just stories of far-off places but a deep appreciation for diverse cultures, and a collection of lifelong friendships.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents and the love of his life, Sarah Dilworth "Worth" Hager Gatti. He is survived by his family, Scott and Jane Hager of Asheboro, NC; Annie Hager-Blunk and John Blunk of Chapel Hill, NC; Jamie and Michelle Hager of Greensboro, NC; Anne and Reynolds Neely of Asheboro, NC; and close friends Julie and David Bradsher of Arlington, VA.

A memorial service will be held at a later date in Asheboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852 or kidneyfund.org.