John graduated from Central Islip High School. After graduation, he attended Evangel College in Springfield, Missouri and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology. After graduation, he moved to Houston, Texas in 1980 while working for Texas Eastern Oil Company. In 1985 he started his own hair salon business and called it Razzamatazz which was an extremely successful beauty salon. In 2012 John obtained his real estate license and went to work for Keller Williams. They moved to Memphis, Tennessee in August 2014.
John met the love of his life, Debra Jean DiGirolamo in 1990 and they were married June 23, 1996 in Houston, Texas. They shared 27 wonderful years together.
John was the youngest of four siblings. Sadly, he was the first to go, but he left a wonderful legacy. John was a loving, caring, positive person who loved others and enjoyed helping them. He appreciated a good joke while at the same time he was honored and pleased to help another person on their unique journey. You could always count on John to be understanding and supportive without ever being judgmental. Whether he was cutting your hair, showing you a house, or discussing the latest innovation, he was respectful, courteous, kind, and welcoming. He had an amazing ability to relate to others, which is why he was so successful in all his careers.
John was committed to inspiring and encouraging his nieces and nephews in the ways of the Lord, and help them pursue their aspirations.
John is survived by his wife Debbie (DiGirolamo) Gatti; his sister Jessie Ann (Gatti) Knust and her husband, Charlie, and their family; his sister Elizabeth (Gatti) Long and her husband, Ken, and their family; and Priscilla (Gatti) Boos and her family.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at Family Funeral Care website. Flowers may be sent to the Funeral home or a donation in John’s memory in support of his niece Christina DiGirolamo, Chi Alpha Missionary, may be sent to First Assembly of God, Cordova, Tennessee.
