Ben Gatto, 78, of Stratford and Fairfield CT, passed away peacefully, Monday, April 12 2016. Born in New York City and one of three boys to Dominick and Anna Gatto. He was raised in Brooklyn and attended Bushwick High School where he gained his love of music and photography. Ben married Maria Mazzola in 1960. They raised two children; Dominick and Elise in New York before settling the family in Monroe, CT and retiring in Stratford CT where they celebrated their 55th anniversary. Ben began his career in the toy industry at Marx Toys as an entry clerk and left there as head of International sales. Along the way, he successfully defended the company's trade regulations before the US Customs Agency and expanded the company into a growing global market, bringing the Marx brand to children all around the world. He then joined Remco Toys as the head of international sales and later went on to become the President of COMBI Corporation a leader in juvenile products and toys, where he closed out his nearly 40-year career within the toy industry. Ben is survived by his wife Maria, his son Dominick Gatto of Branford; daughter Elise Grubb and her husband John of Fairfield; his two granddaughters Alyssa and Ashley Gatto of Branford; a brother Dominick Gatto and his wife Susan of Levittown, NY; a loving sister-in-law Elvira Howard of Stratford; and many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. He was predeceased by his other brother Lawrence. His family will receive friends Saturday, April 16, 2016, from 1pm- 4pm at the Adzima Funeral Home, 50 Paradise Green Place, Stratford, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org http://www.alz.org/).