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LOU TATTI
Lou was born and raised in the Totowa section of Paterson. He attended Paterson Public Schools and after high school, he began his college studies at Paterson State College (now William Paterson University) to become a biology teacher. During his sophomore year of college, Lou joined the Newman House, a Catholic Campus Ministry Center at the college. It was there that he first met the Fr. Jack Wehrlen. Father Wehrlen was the Campus Minister of the Newman House and he became Lou’s mentor, advisor, and friend – he taught Lou to “know Jesus”. Lou met a wonderful, diverse group of students at Newman House and they participated in Fr. Wehrlen’s campus ministry activities including Sunday night Mass, Thursday night dinners, and discussion meetings centered around social justice, race relations, social action activities and changes in thinking in the Catholic Church…it was the 60’s! Lou, Father Wehrlen, and others bonded quickly, and many remain close friends today.
Father Wehrlen had also been appointed the Director of the Department of Special Education for the Diocese (now DPD) to provide religious education for children with disabilities. Through this work he realized a need for more and better services for these children. Fr Wehrlen had an idea of a summer camp, and Lou and the college kids at the Newman Center rallied around him to help build a camp. Along with help from contractor friends and former parishioners of St. Phillip’s parish in Clifton, Camp Alexander was built and became the first sleep away camp for children and adults with special needs. Lou spent his college summers volunteering at Camp Alexander and doing whatever was needed for each camper have a fun-filled vacation.
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Graduating from college in 1970 and after a few months of NJ National Guard training, Lou began teaching biology at Neumann Prep High School in Wayne. During this time, Fr. Wehrlen was busy with his next project…opening a group home for adults with special needs. Once again Lou was there to help with whatever was needed. Murray House opened in 1971 with its first eight residents, Claire, Linda, Kathy, Bernadette, Robert, Walter, Donald and Dennis who called Murray House “home”. Lou became the first volunteer Director and for the next several years helped the residents of Murray House enjoy a happy and fulfilling life. One of the activities the residents enjoyed doing was participating in many of the Neumann Prep activities, and many students enjoyed spending time with them. Several of the students even began volunteering at Murray House and stayed involved for many years. These students included Larry Michalov, Jim Mazzoni, and Tom Barrett, who became the Executive Director of DPD. Lou could not be more proud of these young men and their future life accomplishments.
After leaving Murray House, Lou began his 37-year rewarding career in the Pequannock Township Public Schools. First as a teacher, then a guidance counselor, and then Director of Guidance, retiring in 2010.
Although he left Murray House, Lou never stopped being involved with Fr. Wehrlen and DPD. He met many wonderful, lifelong friends at DPD including the love of his life, his wife, Julie (Feehan) Tatti, who volunteered and worked at DPD for 40 years. Together, Lou and Julie continue to go to Christmas parties, pig roasts, dinner dances and countless DPD events. DPD is truly a family for Lou and Julie and they are grateful to everyone who has touched their lives through these many years.
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