Albert Joseph "A.J." Gornatti

Unknown - Sep 8th, 2006
  • Birth Date: Unknown
  • Death Date: Sep 8, 2006
  • Funeral Date: Unknown
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Biography: A.J. Gornatti, of Little Rock, died Friday, September 8, 2006. He was born on December 20, 1937 in Fordyce Arkansas to the late Louis Joseph Gornatti and Minerva Harrison Gornatti. He attended Marion Military Institute after graduating from Fordyce High School. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany from 1957 until 1960 and graduated from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville with a BSBA in accounting. He was also a graduate of SMU School of Banking. Sonny started his banking career in 1962 at Worthen Bank as a correspondent banker. In 1978 he went to work for the First National Bank of Harrison where he served as President and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors. He owned and operated Hallmark Loan and Investment in North Little Rock from 1986 until 1992 when he retired. In his retirement he owned and operated The Toddy Shop which he sold in 2005. He was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Little Rock Country Club, Ducks Unlimited, Blue Rock Gun Club and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Sonny loved to play golf, hunt, garden, shoot skeet, read and Search. He was a devoted husband, father and friend; and an inspiration to many. He is survived by his wife, Ann Marie Rhodes Gornatti; three children Joe Gornatti and his wife Kathy, Maria Gornatti, Lisa Gornatti Snyder and her husband Keith Snyder; six grandchildren: Sarah Marie Gornatti, Hayden, Harrison and Rhodes Houser, and Ann Marie and Elisabeth Estes; his sister Louise Smith and her husband Hugh Edward Smith of Fordyce and their children Rebecca Mays of North Little Rock and Julie Pennell of Arizona; his sister-in-law Mary Owens of Fayetteville and her children Mary Ann Mansfield of Kansas City, David Owens of San Diego and Ellen Smith of Little Rock. A memorial service will be held Monday September 11, 2006 at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi with a reception following. Memorials may be made to Arkansas Cancer Research Center at UAMS, 4301 W. Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205 and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 1000 N. Mississippi, Little Rock, AR 72207. Cremation arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home of Little Rock, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.

Condolences(18)
Susan Mehlburger
#18
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Ann, I was saddened to read that your Sonny had died. You are an incredible lady, and I have cherished my time with you. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are wrapped all around you and your children.
RONDELL E. HARRISON
#17
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
While reading the notes to the family from friends of A.J., I was reminded how kind and friendly he was while we were all in Fordyce High School during the 1950s. I last saw him at the Redbug reunion in Fordyce. He was the same as all have recounted herein. He will be missed.
Julie Braznell Gaddy
#16
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I was so sad to hear about your loss. You all have been in my thoughts and prayers a lot this last week. Many wonderful memories have resurfaced.
May time ease your sorrow and loving memories bring you peace.
Jean&Clayton Cochran
#15
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to all the family. May you find strength in your faith,
comfort in God's love, and Peace in knowing many
friends are praying for you.
Mary Davis
#14
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Mr. Gornatti was a true southern gentleman. May his memory be eternal. My best regards to Ann, children, and grandchildren.
Karen Caldwell
#13
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My heart is saddened at the loss of Mr. Gornatti. He was a true business man and taught me a lot about banking and patience:):). I loved him and over the years at Hallmark/Bank of Little Rock he earned my respect and devotion. This is a true loss to those of us who loved him.
Lawrence and Connie Gill
#12
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Ann and family
Please know our prayers are with you and yours now and in the days ahead. We have known and loved Sonny for many many years and always thought he was such a fine person. He was loved by all who knew him and he will be missed by all his friends. We know you are heartbroken and we pray for strength and courage for your family now and remember there will be many praying for all of you.
Katie Braznell Truitt
#11
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
My thoughts prayers and love are with all of you during this difficult time. May God bless each of you with wonderful memories and a peace with your loss.
Lisa Sparrow-Moon
#10
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Lisa and Maria,

I am so sorry to hear about your father. I have such fond memories of him teaching me how to "tie" and fishing fly....it was like watching an artist working. My Prayers are with you and your family at this time.

In Friendship,

Lisa Sparrow-Moon
Ben E, Files
#9
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
It is with such great sorrow that I heard of A. J. (Sonny to me) passing away. We grew up, went to school, and played football together in Fordyce, and he was always like family to me. We will all miss him, but he is with Louis and Minerva now.
Patricia Kilgore Abrams
#8
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Words cannot express my shock over the news of Sonny's death. We grew up together. As children we played together, went through adolescence together--dances, football games, double dates, cheeseburgers at the Corner Cafe. Sonny was fun and a great friend. Although I have not seen him in almost fifty years, I will miss him. My sincere condolences to the family.
coach lavon abbott
#7
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Sonny was on my 1952 jr foodball team. He was a fine young man. I have had contact through the years. I am sorry to learn of his death. I am a cancer survivor.
Donald "Seeka" Kelley
#6
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
I am very sorry about your loss. I know what it feels like to lose a loved one, just remember that the lord has a plan for all of us.

Sincerely,

Donald Kelley
Lynn & Elizabeth Baresch Gaines
#5
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
paul f. files jr.
#4
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
To all of you. God bless you at this time of sorrow. I feel as if I lost a brother. We were raised together and played together and laughed and giggled together. Sonny loved his mother and dad and he's with them now. That's what counts.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.



Paul F. Files Jr. (Fred)
and family
Bob & Georgia Kelley
#3
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Dear Ann and Family,

Georgia and I were very sad to hear about A.J.'s death. We wish that we could be there for the memorial service.

A.J. was a great friend, and I will miss him and his e-mails.

With Deepest Sympathy,

Bob and Georgia Kelley
Mike and Paula Allen
#2
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
We are so sorry to hear about AJ. Our thoughts are with you family. He was a great man who will be missed by many.

Mike Allen - retired Seagrams America
Beth and Charles Haynie
#1
Mar 15th, 2019 11:44 am
Ann,
Charlie and I want you, the children and other family to know how much Sonny meant to us. He
was a good, caring friend to us and many others.
Our thoughts and love are with you.

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