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Angelo M. “Ange” Fatta, who left a lasting impression on the Buffalo region as an entrepreneur, philanthropist, civic leader and friend to UB, died on March 14 after a long struggle with lupus. He was 81.

A longtime university volunteer and community leader, Fatta played a vital role in helping advance UB's mission and strengthen its ties within the broader Buffalo region.

A chemist by training, Fatta was a catalyst and champion for the region's innovation economy, serving on the advisory board for UB's Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach and as a director for the former Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, now the UB Hauptman-Woodward Research Institute.

He was instrumental in the formation of the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the umbrella organization created in 2002 to facilitate collaboration among member institutions that form the Medical Campus and the surrounding neighborhoods.

In 2004, Fatta was appointed to the board of the UB Foundation, taking over as its chairman in 2008. And as a member of UB's 2010 presidential search committee, Fatta served as a valued advisor to President Satish K. Tripathi, as well as his predecessor, John B. Simpson.

“Ange was a steadfast friend to UB whose dedication, service and stewardship have positively impacted our university on so many levels,” said Tripathi, who awarded Fatta the UB President’s Medal in 2012.

“Whether he was championing UB’s role in the region’s innovation economy or our achievements in research and education, he was instrumental in advancing our university mission,” Tripathi said. “Our scholarly community has benefited immeasurably from his contributions, and he will be sorely missed by everyone who was fortunate to know him.”

Foundation Chairman Gregory M. Bauer said that on a personal level he was profoundly grateful to Fatta for recruiting him to the foundation board and serving as both a mentor and inspiration.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Ange Fatta, whose leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the University at Buffalo Foundation continues to shape our work to this day,” Bauer said. “Both the Foundation and the University are better as a result of Ange’s work." 

In 2012, Fatta was appointed to the SUNY Board of Trustees. He served the board until 2018, leading its academic, research and economic development and audit committees during his tenure.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King and the Board of Trustees released a statement that said Fatta “was dedicated to ensuring that our faculty and students had ample opportunities to succeed on our campuses.”

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends, and all of Buffalo as they mourn the loss of a great neighbor, civic leader, and public servant,” the statement said.

Fatta earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Canisius College, a PhD in inorganic chemistry from Wayne State University and was a postdoctoral fellow at Penn State University.

He was co-founder of ACTS Testing Labs, a global consumer-products testing company specializing in toy safety. He led ACTS from a small startup operation in 1973 to an organization of more than 700 employees in 10 locations and six countries in 1998, when he sold the company.

From 2001 to 2006, Fatta served as president of BuffLink Inc., a not-for-profit initiative he co-founded to promote regional development in the life sciences. In 2009, he founded ANSECO Group, another consumer-products testing laboratory specializing in toys and children’s products, where he served as its chief executive officer until 2015 when he sold the company.

In between it all, Fatta was deeply dedicated to the Buffalo community and was integral to a number of regional arts and cultural initiatives, including Canisius University, Cradle Beach Camp and the Buffalo Transportation Museum.

He was a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Trustees, serving as chair from 2004 through 2008 when the orchestra completed a $32 million endowment campaign.

Between 2015 and 2019, Fatta served as chairman of the board of the directors of the organization that oversees the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

He and his wife, Carol, were also founders of The Fatta Foundation, which supports the welfare and development of children in Western New York.

Besides his wife, Fatta is survived by a son, John D; a daughter, Suzanne E.; three brothers, Robert J., Thomas J. and Michael P.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service is planned for a later date.