Born July 20th, 1943 in Mineola, NY, he was the son of Nicholas and Nora (Romuno) Gatti. Roger served our country during the Vietnam War as part of the U. S. Air Force. In civilian life he earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Florida and a Master of Science degree from Bloomsburg University. He served as a professor of communications at Nassau Community College, Queensboro Community College and Hofstra University.
He was married to the former Judy (Lewis) Penman and they made their home in McNett Township, Roaring Branch. Roger enjoyed the tranquility of country life. He enjoyed vegetable farming as well as doing cumbersome tasks with his 1951 Case tractor. Roger was an avid reader, but not merely for entertainment. He read to gain knowledge and to study up on the latest gardening techniques, advances in science and to be well informed on world events. One advancement in agriculture that fascinated him was hydroponic gardening, and at one point he even taught classes on the subject.
Roger also liked to take to the air now and then flying non-motorized gliders, feeling free as a bird as he looked down at the beautiful countryside.