Louis Michael Gaietto, 89, of Tiffin, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Ohio Veterans Home, Sandusky, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born January 21, 1927, in Tiffin, to Louis M. and Irma (Roos) Gaietto. Louis was a 1945 graduate of Calvert High School.

Louis served in the United States Army during WWII stationed at Camp Dushane, Casablanca, North Africa and Stallion POW Camp. He finished his duty in Germany after the war.

Louis married the love of his life, Thelma "Terry" Jackson on February 11, 1950. They raised six children. He said, "My wife was my life."

Louis began racing Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 1948. He continued to race after he married at flat track, TT, and Daytona Beach. In 1953, he won Ohio National State Championship TT.
Louis operated, along with his brother, Vincent, Gaietto's Sunoco Station. In 1972, he opened Gaietto's Auto Electric with his sons, Louis and Donald. He retired in 1989. He enjoyed gardening, NASCAR, travelling, motorcycles, Cleveland Browns and his cats, especially Bubba.

He is survived by sons, Louis M. (Linda) Gaietto of Delaware and Donald P. (Sue) Gaietto of Tiffin; daughters, Ruth A. (Richard) Zoeller of Tiffin, Suzanne M. (Ralph) McTaggart and Julie A. (Doug) Iannantuono, both of Toledo; eight grandchildren, Ashlee (Dan) Bouic, Nathan (Ashley) Gaietto, Randall A. (Kelly) Zoeller, Rachel A. (Adrian) Palomo, Dawn Gaietto, Andrew Gaietto, Micaiah McTaggart and Claire McTaggart; and eight great grandchildren, Ellee, Jack and Malynn Bouic, Maximus and Cordelia Palomo, Bretton Gaietto, Tanner Gaietto and Fiona McTaggart; siblings, Lawrence (Butch) Gaietto, Margaret Schleter, Thomas (Mary) Gaietto and Sr. Angela "Irene" Gaietto; brother-in-law, Ivan Hill; sister-in-law, Darlene Gaietto; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Terri; daughter, Rose A. Lewis; and siblings, Sr. M. Merici "Angeline", Vincent J., Joseph R. "Joey", Eugene P. Gaietto and Irma Rose Hill.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, June 6, 2016 at St. Mary Catholic Church with Rev. Kishore Kottana officiating. A Rosary will be prayed 20 minutes prior to Mass. Burial will follow in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the United Veterans Council.

Friends may visit with the family from 2-5:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 5, 2016 at Hoffmann-Gottfried-Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, 236 S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio 44883, (419) 447-2424

Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Seneca County or to Stein Hospice.

Condolences may be sent and the guestbook signed at www.hgmackfuneralhome.com.