Jerry "The Cat" Gatto

Jaffrey “Jerry” “The Cat” Gatto passed away peacefully in the morning hours on January 23, 2022 at the age of 73. He was born January 13, 1949 in Philadelphia, PA to the late Dr. Lucio Ernest Gatto and Janice Sedorchuk Gatto.

Jerry was a graduate of Saint Martins High School and Tulane University. He worked for 17 years as a Fest Runner at Jazz Fest. He loved Jazz Fest and his Jazz Fest family immensely. Jerry worked as Craft Services on many films, including Interview with a Vampire, Miller’s Crossing, The Net, Big Easy, and many others. He also worked in sales for Home Team Productions, Pelican Pages, and Ion Alkaline Water. In his early years, he was the proprietor of Audubon Café and Pub alongside Billy Mervis.

Jerry was a brilliant writer, poet and would often throw around his expansive vocabulary in his casual conversations. He was known as “The Cat” all around New Orleans. Jerry loved his cars (Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, his 750 Norton Commando motorcycle), all music (especially “The Doors”), and his wonderful dogs that he played Frisbee within Audubon Park (Nick and Max). He went on long daily walks with his most recent dog, Mickey. Most of all, Jerry was especially fond of his daughter Jessica and never shied away from vocalizing it.

To mourn his loss, Jerry is survived by his daughter, Jessica Gatto and his nephews, David Gatto, Jr. and Greg Gatto. He is preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Lucio Ernest Gatto and Janice Sedorchuk Gatto; his brothers, David Gatto, Sr. and Lucio “Luke” Gatto, Jr.; and his nephew, Alex Gatto.

The family would like to give special thanks to Drew and Linda Kall, Billy and Sharon Mervis, Lewis and Linda Frank, Jeanne Federico, David Gatto, Jr. and Jean Gatto, John Hankins, Drew Sullivan, and Kenny Berger for caring and spending time with Jerry during his last days. Also, a special thanks to Svare Forsland and Jesse Morgan for their generosity and friendship to Jerry all these years.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Please contact Jerry’s daughter, Jessica Gatto, for more information at jessicajgatto@gmail.com.