Deacon Don L. Gath

Don Lee Gath, first son to Roy and Levia (Girouard) Gath, was born in Helbig, Texas on March 3, 1937. He lived his early years in Louisiana before moving with his family to Los Angeles at age 5. After graduating from Huntington Park High School, Don attended Woodbury University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Foreign Trade. Jobs were hard to find at this time, but he landed one in the mail room of Chubb Insurance Co. thus beginning his lifelong career in the insurance industry. He also served his country for eight years in the Air Force Reserves.

Don was a member of the Knights of Columbus for over 60 years. He was a 4th Degree Knight, serving as Grand Knight for the Huntington Park Council. He met his future wife, Tina Brunasso, while serving on the council with her father, Mario. They were married on May 2, 1970 and together raised two sons and two daughters. Don was always involved with his children. He coached his son’s baseball teams, was their Boy Scoutmaster and cheered his daughters on from the stands during volleyball games.

Don established Don Gath Insurance Agency in 1984 and continued going to his office daily until he was hospitalized in early May. The family owned and operated agency in Signal Hill is in the capable hands of his son, Greg, who has worked with his father for 25 years.

A member of St. Joseph Parish for 51 years, Don led by example. He taught Confirmation and Baptism Classes, acted as lector and Eucharist Minister and was ordained a Deacon for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in 2001. He loved baptizing children, visiting the sick and homebound, ministering to the homeless at Project Achieve and on the streets of Skid Row with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity. He served women in need through Precious Life Shelter. Even in his later years, Don continued to serve. He helped form a new Board of Directors in 2017 to restructure, remodel and reopen the St. Francis Center of Long Beach, fulfilling his dream to reach out to the wider Long Beach Community, serving his brothers and sisters in need.

Don was known for his sweet tooth, especially for ice cream. He perfected making homemade ice cream which was always a hit at his annual 4 ^th of July parties on Signal Hill. Saying he enjoyed baseball and rooting for the Angels and Dodgers is an understatement. Don lived baseball and would meticulously score each professional game he attended. A baseball theme would underlie many of the homilies he gave as a Deacon. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s games, plays, and dance and piano recitals. He also loved to travel and went on many pilgrimages, tours and cruises all over the world. In his last months he enjoyed spending time with Tina in Palm Springs.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Tina, and their four children, spouses and eleven grandchildren: David and wife, Jackie, (Gabriella & Matthew); Gregory and wife, Beth (Anthony, Clare, Catherine, Jane, Rose & Michael), Christina Witter and husband, Steve (Everett and Ian); and Michelle Gath (Natalie). He’s also survived by his only sibling, Ken Gath.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401