John “Jack” R. Gatto, Jr., 86, of Smithfield, passed away peacefully on November 11, 2025. Born in Providence, he was the son of the late John R. Gatto, Sr. and Catherine V. (Martin) Gatto.
Jack was a proud graduate of La Salle Academy, Class of 1957, where he earned All-State honors in hockey, and of Providence College, Class of 1961, where he received his bachelor’s degree. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Jack especially loved playing tennis and following the game of hockey at every level.
Jack’s life was defined by his infectious joy, magnetic personality, and a boundless love that touched everyone he met. Known universally as the life of the party, he leaves behind a legacy of laughter, adventure, and deep family devotion.
Born on April 18, 1939, in Providence, RI, Jack was an only child who considered his many cousins his siblings, cherishing those relationships throughout his life. He had a successful professional career in outside sales, where his friendly nature and easy humor made him a trusted colleague and friend to many.
Beyond his professional life, Jack was a man of diverse interests and a sharp intellect. He was an avid reader and loved artwork. His competitive spirit shone through in indoor activities; he loved playing cards, was an expert at trivia, and rarely seen without a challenging crossword puzzle nearby. He spent fifteen years of companionship with his partner, Carmen Rousseau.
While he excelled at many things, his true passion was his family, whom he affectionately referred to as “his religion.” He dedicated countless hours to the sport of hockey, first as a player, then coaching his sons (Jay and Craig), and later cheering for his grandsons. His dedication extended to all his children's and grandchildren's pursuits. He found immense pride on the sidelines and bleachers, cheering on his daughter Nicole at swim meets and celebrating her later success in real estate. He also enjoyed watching all his grandchildren compete in hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, cheerleading, and field hockey.
An avid outdoorsman, Jack embraced every opportunity to connect with nature. He was a keen sportsman who loved playing tennis and golf, but his deepest passion was fishing. He traveled to exotic destinations, including many memorable trips to Belize, to pursue challenging game fish, reflecting his generous and kind spirit toward all living things.
Jack is survived by:
* His children: Jay Gatto (Kathie Gatto), Craig Gatto (Laurie Gatto) and Nicole Garbutt (Chuck Browning)
* His eight grandchildren: Jake Gatto, Dillon Gatto, Kate Gatto, Connor Gatto, Joseph Garbutt, Isabella Garbutt, Gabriella Garbutt, and Bennett Gatto.
* His partner of 15 years, Carmen Rousseau.
* The mother of his children and wife of 33 years, Annette Cerrone.
Funeral Services
A celebration of Jack’s incredible life will be held on December 20, 2025 from 1pm-3pm at Anderson Winfield Funeral Home, 2 Church Street, Greenville, RI 02828.