Anthony Gratto
August 4, 1906 ~ June 15, 2007
ROCHESTER: June 15, 2007 peacefully departed at age 101. Predeceased by his wife, Jeannette(Hays) and son, Anthony H. Survived by devoted daughter, Maria Christine Gratto Cohen of Cambridge, MA and loving family; sisters, Anne(Walter)Martin and Grace Richey; brother, Frank(Onylee)Gratzer; sister-in-law, Connie, widow of brother Charles; daughter-in-law, Margaret Gratto; grandchildren, Anthony L. Gratto, Sandra G. May, Lisa C. and Sarah L. Cohen; 7 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.
Born in Pisticci, a small Italian hill town village south of Naples. Tony immigrated to this country with his family in 1913 at age 7. Known for his zest for life and irreverent sense of humor, Tony was retired from the Democrat and Chronicle Advertising Art Department and had been Art Director of Hutchins Advertising Agency in Rochester as well as ad agencies in Buffalo and Cleveland, Ohio. Tony began his art career drawing cartoons for newspapers in NYC, Rochester and Buffalo.
Family and friends are invited to Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Rd., Friday, June 22 at 11AM with a Celebration of Life Service at Noon. Burial, Riverside Cemetery, 2650 Lake Ave. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to
EISEP(Expanded In Home Services for the Elderly Program) or Meals on Wheels. Assistance from both these programs enabled Mr. Gratto to live with dignity and independently in his home until he was over 100 years old.
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Christine and Family,
I send my deepesr sympathy to all of your family. Tony was a wonderful man and always had a smile. I usually never get the paper but, I did yesterday and I was sad to read about Tony. He lived a happy an fulfilling life. He was a person who had great advice and I would not be where I am today. He also Inspired my son to be creative and and since Tony gave my son his first scetch book,well my son keeps drawing. Tony helped my son with drawing lessons several times and because the time Tony spent with Anthony ; My son has 3 pieces of artwork being shown in a local gallery.
Tony will be missed by many and never forgotten. I do apologize for not being able to attend the funeral, but My daughter is very sick. May god watch over all of your family and wishing all good health
Ms.Jessica Gibson and Anthony Alexander JR.
It was a pleasure to meet him. He was a great man. I just met him once but he was so full of joy. 100 is a great age, he is going to met my Grandfather in Heaven.
To Christine:
Sue and I send our love and sympathy to you. We will miss the service and funeral on Friday but will be arriving Saturday and will see you over the weekend.
We both thought so much of Uncle Tony (or as we nicknamed him, the Italian ‘Don Rickles’). The ironic thing is that I remember him most for his humor at all the family events…but most especially at the funerals.
All my co-workers know all about him. He was an Icon. I still can see and hear him, like it was yesterday, at the family events. Surrounded by all the cousins telling his stories, jokes and family history. We were all bound to him through those stories.
Also, he really knew how to push Frank’s buttons (Sue and I still laugh and laugh about those pointed quips and the interchanges back and forth between both of them).
Your Dad was a unique blend of so many things. Truly his own man.
Love,
Mark & Sue
What an accomplished life. I will miss my Grandpa. He was a large part of my life and inspiration. I loved the Sundays when he brought donuts to our house when I was a child. And the sure bet when we came to visit Grandpa and Nana was a yummy ice cream cone and lots of love. He had large appreciation and encouragement of art including painting, pottery and cartooning within the family. I would love to look and laugh at his cartoons, that was a treat. I hope we all remember to follow our passions and dreams and embrace life and its gifts like he did.
Thank you Christine for everything you have done for Grandpa including the meals on wheels, inhome elderly care, and of course neverending love, and support.