Kekoo Gatta

February  22nd, 1964 September  3rd, 2024
Niagara on the Lake, Ontario
Kekoo Gatta

If you're afraid of dying, it's because you aren't living

Obituary

Kekoo Gatta has touched the lives of so many people; his children, his nieces and nephews, and countless young athletes. He dedicated his life to creating space where everyone near him thrived and felt his support.

A devoted father, brother, husband, and community figure, Kekoo leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and leadership. Beloved husband of Farah. He was the devoted father of Cyrus (Steph), Syrina (Dalton), Farrantina (Colin), Freddy, and Zubin (Tess), and the cherished brother of Mahroukh (Bijan) Rafii, Rohinton (Allane) Gatta, and the late Jeannie Gatta. Kekoo was the son of Mani and Minoo Gatta, who instilled in him the values of kindness and hard work. A renowned custom home builder and wrestling coach, Kekoo was a father figure to hundreds, inspiring many with his wisdom and passion. His impact on the community and the lives of those he mentored will endure for generations.

Sadly, we are forced to say goodbye suddenly to him, and no one quite knows how to do that. His family that extends well beyond his immediate family, are heartbroken and feel the immense weight of losing him. What we know is that he would want us to reflect on the impact he made throughout his life and continue to support what he loved to do: inspire and support the future of kids.

As we celebrate Kekoo's life we ask that in lieu of flowers you consider making a contribution to the 'Gatta Get 'Em on the Mat' Fund held with the Junior Brock Badgers wrestling club. The mission is to empower aspiring athletes with a hunger for success and commitment to cultivating champions through relentless dedication, unwavering discipline and and the pursuit of excellence on and off the mat. The fund help promising young wrestlers with financial support to allow them to commit to their personal and athletic goals.

Kekoo's Life

1964
February 22nd
Birth in Lira, Uganda
Born to Mani & Minoo Gatta, Zoroastrian Persian immigrants to Uganda. Minoo was a diesel mechanic who worked in Kampala, the capital on the first public bus system; Mani ran a Montessori school. Kekoo was the middle child, with older sister Mahroukh, younger brother Rohinton & younger sister Jeannie (deceased).
1972
Left Uganda for India
After dictator Idi Amin came into power, the family left Uganda and returned to Minoo's family in Mumbai, India.
1976
Arrived in Canada
The family decides to relocate once again and joins Mani's sister Gavi in Thorold, ON. Greeted by longtime family friends Russi & Mani Doctor. 
1980
Joined the Thorold Secondary School Wrestling Team
Under the mentorship of coach Tom Sills, Kekoo began training with the TSSS wrestling team. He credits this period of his life for keeping him off the streets and giving him purpose.
1984
Silver Medalist at Canadian Nationals
In his last year of wrestling, Kekoo placed second at the Nationals tournament.
1984
Flipped the Cordoba
Taking a $2000 loan from his mother, Kekoo & longtime friend Vince Coppola flipped a Cordoba for profit, effectually starting his career that would move from cars, to flipping homes, to building homes from scratch.
1985
Completed Diesel Mechanics License
Following in his father's footsteps, Kekoo completed his mechanics degree in Toronto, ON.
1987
Flipped the Cynthia Street House
Beginning his long career in building homes, Kekoo and longtime friend Vince Coppola bought a home on Cynthia Street in Thorold, ON and flipped it. Friends from this period may remember seeing Vince sleeping in the house before all the walls were completed. 
1989
Founded Gatta Homes
With his first stand alone project on Battle Street in Thorold, ON - Kekoo founded Gatta Homes.
1995
April
Cyrus is born
Kekoo's eldest son, Cyrus, is born in April of this year.
1996
November
Syrina & Farrantina are born
The twins arrive! Syrina & Farrantina are born in November of this year.
1999
First build in Niagara-on-the-Lake on Harmony Drive
Kekoo expands his business into Niagara on the Lake with his first development project on Harmony Drive. The french country house with the crooked shutters took the town by storm,
1999
May
Freddy is born
Kekoo's middle son, Freddy is born in May of this year.
2005
November
Zubin is born
Kekoo's youngest son, Zubin, is born in November of this year.
2010
Begins Coaching Wrestling
As his eldest children enter high school, Kekoo returns to the sport of wrestling and begins coaching both with the Brock Jr. Badgers program & at Saint Paul High School in Niagara Falls, ON.
2011
Grand Opening of Mariners' Bay
Built alongside longtime business associate Donato Colangelo, Gatta Homes builds a luxury townhouse complex where homeowners can park their boats behind their homes in Grimsby, ON.
2012
Revamps the Brock Jr. Badgers Wrestling Program
Kekoo takes over the Brock Junior Badgers Wrestling program and revives it with his passion and enthusiasm for the sport.
2016
Started Royal Albion Place Development
Realizing his children's interest in joining the family business, Kekoo begins his Royal Albion Place project at the corner and King and Cottage St in Niagara on the Lake as something they can create together. 
2018
Second Generation joins Gatta Homes
As they ready to enter the workforce, Cyrus & Syrina begin learning the family business. Syrina pursues a degree in Interior Design at Sheridan College in Oakville, ON.
2018
Adds Eden High School to his Coaching repertoire
With youngest child Zubin entering high school, Kekoo begins coaching wrestling at Eden Secondary School in St. Catharines, ON.
2024
February
Establishes the Gatta Get 'em on the Mat Fund
In honour of his 60th birthday, friends & family establish the Gatta Get 'em on the Mat fund in Kekoo's name to help athletes enrolled in the Jr. Badgers wrestling program.

Gallery


Videos

Memory wall

We'd love to hear your stories & see any pictures you have of Kekoo - please post them below!


September 9, 2024
We were lucky enough to have been one of the first residents of Mariner Bay Estates and every encounter with Kekoo both during and after the build was a positive one. Kekoo was a wonderful man and a talented builder. He built a beautiful community and gave us a wonderfully memorable chapter in our lives. We are deeply saddened by his tragic death and send our heartfelt condolences to the Gatta family.
Christine & Ray Boisvert

Family tree

Meher Pithawalla
Pershotan Pithawalla
Gulamai Gutta
Kaikhshroo Gutta
Mani Pithawalla
Minocher Gatta
Mahroukh Raffi
Rohinton Gatta
Cyrus Gatta
Syrina Gatta
Farrantina Gatta
Freddy Gatta
Zubin Gatta
Jeannie Gatta
Mahroukh Raffi
Rohinton Gatta
Jeannie Gatta
Cyrus Gatta
Syrina Gatta
Farrantina Gatta
Freddy Gatta
Zubin Gatta
Kekoo Gatta

Service


All are welcome to attend a celebration of Kekoo’s life on Tuesday, September 10th, 2024, at 277 Ricardo St, Niagara-on-the-Lake,
Open house style starting at 1 pm and ending indefinitely..
Location
Kekoo's Home
277 Ricardo Street
Date/time
September 10, 2024: 1pm - late

Donate

The 'Gatta Get 'Em on the Mat' Fund was created in celebration of Kekoo's 60th birthday this past February by his family and friends to give back to the sport of wrestling that he dedicated so much of his time to. Wrestling gave Kekoo a safe place to belong and thrive as a kid himself and he worked tirelessly throughout his life to provide that for so many young kids. 

Donate Here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/remebering-kekoo-by-supporting-the-sport-he-gave-so-much-to
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