Joseph Frank Gatt
May 30, 1941 ~ May 22, 2024
Born in:
Ismailia, Egypt
Resided in:
Great Falls, Virginia
Joseph Frank Gatt passed away peacefully on May 22nd with his loving wife, Krista, by his side. He was born on May 30, 1941, in Ismailia, Egypt to Francis Gatt (of Maltese origin) and Lucia Sciarra (of Italian heritage). He was a longtime resident of Great Falls, VA.
Joe’s career began in the 1960’s when he became an executive at Pan American Airways after receiving a B.A. from Hunter College. Through Pan Am, he was stationed in Vietnam as a civilian, coordinating military furloughs during the war and later in Kinshasa, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo). While based in Kinshasa, he increased and expanded Pan Am’s reach on the African continent. That experience also included hotel operations and new hotel development for Intercontinental Hotels (a subsidiary of Pan Am at the time) where he ultimately headed its entire African development department. He was also President and CEO of Air Zaire as part of Pan Am’s Technical Assistance Program.
Joe is widely known as a cell phone pioneer, being the first to bring cellular telecommunications to the African continent and eventually launching cell phone service to 13 African nations through his cellular companies, including Telecel International, which he founded in the 1980’s.
In his later years, Joe relied on his many contacts and business acumen to build thousands of affordable homes in Africa. With his long experience and infectious optimism, he had so much to offer and never considered retirement, feeling there was so much more he could still do.
A true adventurer at heart, Joe’s favorite hobby was piloting his own plane. He felt a sense of peace and freedom in the cockpit high above the clouds. He is a record-holding pilot who flew all over the world in his Pilatus PC-12 and later in his Cessna Bravo. His flying repertoire included more than 7,000 flight hours and a wealth of entertaining aviation stories.
Joe leaves behind his wife, Krista Gatt (née Eazarsky), and son, Joseph Edward Gatt, to whom he has passed his love of flying, as well as daughters Sharon Elizabeth Gatt of Walla Walla, WA and Karen Josephine Gatt of Boulder, CO and four grandchildren.
Family, friends, and colleagues are invited to the Money and King Funeral Home in Vienna, VA on Wednesday, May 29th where visiting hours will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM, followed by a memorial service in Joe’s honor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund. https://www.kidneyfund.org/
Services
Visitation: May 29, 2024 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Money and King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-7440
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JosephFrankGattVisitation
Visitation
171 W. Maple Ave. ,Vienna, VA 22180
Service: May 29, 2024 12:00 pm
Money and King Funeral Home
171 W. Maple Ave.
Vienna, VA 22180
703-938-7440
Add to My Calendar
America/New_York
2024-05-29 12:00:00
2024-05-29 12:00:00
JosephFrankGattService
Service
171 W. Maple Ave. ,Vienna, VA 22180
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Bob Gallagher
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Joe we will miss you. You were optimistic, good natured, kind, interesting and smart. You (and Krista ) were a joy to be around. We feel lucky to have known you and for your son to have spent part of his youth with our daughter. You encouraged me to stay strong throughout my back issues and I will never forget that! We know you have found peace and good health.
I will miss my friend. Joseph was so kind, very good hearted, always with a smile and a cute joke. I will remember our times at GF Starbucks talking business and laughing about life. I’m so glad I met him and Krista as well. I came to love them both. My son Michael remarked when he heard of his passing, that he was so happy he got to finally meet Mr. Gatt, the man mom spoke about often. The Gatts started as my clients and became my friends. I will miss you Joseph rest in peace , our deepest sympathy to the Gatt family, praying God’s Love, Comfort and Peace be with you all.
When Nikki & I met Joe, I found a friend, a brother and an advisor. Nikki found a second father and a confidant.
Our love and friendship with Joe & Krista will remain with us forever.
We’ll miss you Joe.
Colin & Nikki
May God bless his soul!
It’s been many years since we last saw each other. I did want to wish you all the very best during this tough time. Joe was a special person who was fun-loving, intelligent and warm. He will be missed.
Thinking of you …….
Michael and Karin Alper
Knowing Joe for the past 30years, we have lost not just a friend but a confident . We have learned a lot from his experiences around the world. We admire his sense of humor even when situation was difficult , he will joke by saying “never give up, as long as you are breathing, anything is possible”.
We are so grateful for what you brought into our lives . Rest in peace Joe.
Joe was a dear friend. I will miss him. Andreea described him best, always eager to learn and do more. And, he had many wonderful accomplishments to his name. I am reminded of what Sir Isaac Newton once said about himself, “…I am like a child playing on the seashore, picking up a beautiful pebble or a curious shell here and there, while the boundless ocean lies before me with so much more to explore…” Joe always reminded me of this child from Newton’s memoirs.
Rest in peace, my friend. Joey and Krista, you are in our prayers. Please accept our deepest condolences.
G.B.Bose & Andreea Lazar.
In my live I don’t believe that I’ve met a more truly positive, warmer human being—who ALWAYS had a smile on his face, a twinkle in his eye and of course that memorable laugh.
From our days when he purchased Pilatus PC12 (#7) and he encouraged me to purchase (#14), we’ve shared so many laughs, fun times together and wonderful memories. Joe was Sui Generis…and will always be remembered.
Next week I look forward to joining you as we bid farewell to his life well lived.
RIP JFG
Dick Foreman
Let me take this moment to bid farewell to Joseph Frank Gatt, a true friend and beacon of light to many, who was ever joyful and an encourager even at that time when one felt like he has lost it. Joe walked through life with a gentle strength, touching the lives of everyone he encountered. Joe dedicated his time and resources to make the world a better and brighter place. A lover of innovations and found beauty in life’s simple moments and encouraged us all to do the same. Joe practiced efforts of a forty year old and many times he hard razor sharp ideas that we applied to make our life easier.
I will personally miss him dearly and may his Saul Rest In eternal peace.
Godfrey.
Dear Krista, Joe and family, yes Joe because you will always remain in my life even if now as a memory….and I can’t believe that you will not reach out with a joke, a thought or a new venture sometime in my future. Joe was an extraordinary man as a boss, a partner, a friend and as a mentor. He changed my life and he changed the lives of all who knew him. We laughed until the end yet now a beacon has gone out in my world. Krista, family and friends do not despair but be grateful for what God has given us on this earth. Godspeed dear Joe.
Nous avions d’excellentes relations depuis notre première rencontre en 2000. Avec les années nous sommes devenus amis.
Toujours optimiste malgré les contraintes médicales.
Toutes mes condoléances à Krista, Joe et toute la famille.
Repose en paix Joe.
Il m’a engagé au service juridique de sa holding aux USA au début des années 2000 en qualite de consultante, en m’accordant sa confiance. Bien qu’ayant quitté les USA en 2003, nous avons maintenu des relations professionnelles courtoise. Ainsi, à chaque fois qu’il avait besoin de mes services, il n’hésitait pas à me contacter.
Merci pour tous, que ton âme repose en paix.
Joe,
Après notre Rendez-vous manqué du 12 décembre 2023 au Mayflower Washington, je me demandais pourquoi tu n’étais pas venu, alors que 4 jours plutôt tu m’avais rassuré que “sûrement” nous allions nous voir.
Le 24 décembre 2023 tu me feras l’honneur, comme à tes habitudes, d’être le premier à envoyer les vœux de « Christmas », Je m’en étais réjouis et je gardais espoir de te revoir à nouveau à mon prochain voyage aux USA, mais voilà que cette nouvelle de ton départ me parvient.
Joe,
de là où tu es, tu sais voir combien mon cœur est meurtri. J’aurai tant aimé être présent pour te rendre hommage, mais hélas…
Vas en paix cher ami et fier de tes accomplissements sur cette terre ingrate des hommes.
Je garderai de toi tes orientations stratégiques, ta détermination et surtout ton respect à l’amitié.
You are gone, but not forgotten, your memory is a treasure I keep withim my heart
A jamais dans mon cœur
Nzuka Mapengo ( Big Master)
Joe,
What a guy !!!
Dear Krista & Joey,
Always remember that Joe loved you both and all the great times and beautiful vacations you shared together. He will never be forgotten by anyone who had the sincere pleasure of meeting him. May he R.I.P.
While I can’t come to Virginia to honor Joe, I will be with you all spiritually and emotionally!
Always, Sister D (aka FranD)
Grieving is like flying an airplane through the clouds. You know the sun is still there, but it’s impossible to see it.
They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.
It took us just a few moments to meet Joe and say hello, but it’ll take forever to say goodbye!
R.I.P Joe..
Maria and Luis
RIP
Manager Africain Sabena Airlines
On l’y Good souvenirs of Joe !!
Joe was my first boss in the Industry back in 1997. Telecel was a great company and the pioneer of mobile telecommunications iin Africa, launching their first mobile network in Kinshasa in 1989. Joe was a fun guy, larger than life, with an incredible business drive. Krista and family, all my condoleances! Frederic
Joe was truly a larger than life person. He was one of those unforgettable people that if you are lucky enough to meet him, you are in for a true adventure. Time knowing and working for him in Telecel was something I will never forget. Thanks for everything Joe, may you rest in peace.
Joe was was great man and mentor to me over all the years we traveled across Africa together. I learned so much from Joe. Joe was always joyful and eternally optimistic, it was infectious. I truly enjoyed working and traveling with Joe, he will be sorely missed! Rest in Peace pal!
Many thoughts were unsaid during our friendship, which began more than fifty years ago
In the Pan AM offices in Kinshasa Zaire.
From that day, you gave me your trust, as you did to many others, and you showed your
unselfish concern which characterizes you. It was the start of countless adventures we
shared, and it was the stepping stone to the career I have advising on African-related projects.
Your prolific mind has no boundaries. But your strength is your decisive business intuition, as demonstrated by the creation of Telecel in Zaire, the first cellular network in Africa and one of
the first in the world, which then expanded to more than 11 African countries.
Your business instinct is complemented by your incredible determination. Do you recall when
upon my landing in Kinshasa around 10 PM for an Intercontinental Hotels board meeting
you briskly escorted me to Miko’s private plane.
The third cellular license in Ivory Coast was being awarded, and the deadline for applications
was 10 a.m. the next morning. One requirement was to have a local partner. We landed in
Abidjan around 2 AM, and you promptly negotiated a
JV agreement with a local partner. You submitted the application in time and were awarded
the Loteny license.
Joe, there are still many thoughts I would like to express. Above all, I wish to thank you for
your endless good humor and for sharing with me those who were and remain close to
your heart. You always considered me to be a member of your family, and I pray that I will
continue to be close to Krista and Joey. I am grateful to you for the loyalty you have given me
. You will always be part of my life.