Palmer lost a Representative to the State House with the passing of Carl Gatto yesterday.

After a lengthy battle with Prostate cancer, Gatto passed away at a Seattle hospital, where he was taken last week to undergo treatment. His wife Cathy, and their four children were at his side when he succumbed to his illness.

Gatto was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2002, and currently served as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Yesterday, after hearing of Gatto’s passing, Governor Parnell ordered flags to be lowered to half-mast today in his honor and memory.

“Sandy and I were deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Representative Gatto,” Governor Parnell said. “Alaska has lost a great public servant who will be remembered for his wit and wisdom, his commitment to education and veterans’ issues, and his unwavering support for the people of the Mat-Su. We will keep his wife, family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers.”

House members of the Alaska Legislature’s Mat-Su Valley Caucus – Reps. Bill Stoltze, Mark Neuman, Wes Keller, and Eric Feige – released the following statement yester upon learning of the death of colleague Carl Gatto earlier in the afternoon.

“There is no good in this goodbye. Carl served the greater Palmer area with class and distinction for the past 10 years. He was a friend and confidant to many in the House and worked diligently for the good of his district and the state.

“Carl and his wife, Cathy, were welcoming and approachable, always willing to make time and take the effort to listen and talk. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, from his days as an engineer, teacher, firefighter, school board member, and legislator. He was a true Alaskan.

“We’ll miss his buoyant laugh, quick wit and common sense approach to legislating. Carl worked tirelessly for the Valley and never once let his condition affect his work or efforts on behalf of the state and community he so loved.

“We grieve with his family and ask that everyone keep them in their thoughts and prayers.”

House Democratic Leader Beth Kerttula, released a statement on behalf of the House Democratic Caucus as well. She said, “We are truly saddened by the loss of Representative Carl Gatto. Carl’s friendship went beyond politics. He was an intelligent man who loved doing the people’s work in the Legislature. He never let passions over an issue interfere with his genuine respect for and kindness to his colleagues, constituents and anyone he came in contact with. We will miss his smile, kindness and humor, and our thoughts and prayers are with Cathy, his family and all who are mourning his loss today.”

Representative Gatto was born in New York, New York in 1937, on December 29th, he was 74.