Achille "Corky" Pastorella

Mr. Achille "Corky" Pastorella, age 90, of Utica, passed into the hands of the Lord on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his loving family by his side. Born in Utica on March 16, 1919, Achille was the son of the late Nicholas and Beatrice (Coviello) Pastorella. He was raised and educated locally. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was also a proud member of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). On April 29, 1944 he married his love, the former Rose M. Marino, with whom he shared 65 years committed to one another; whether they faced hardships or exciting moments, they faced them together, creating lifelong memories they never forgot. As a couple, they instilled in their children to believe that home and family is where the heart is. A loyal and conscientious employee, Corky retired from the U. S. Postal Service after many dedicated years of service. Among his interests, he loved following the stock market, a pastime he has pursued since the Great Depression. He also enjoyed antiquing, and vegetable gardening, an activity from which he produced award-winning garlic. Corky especially enjoyed sharing stories of his childhood with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Faxton Oriental Masonic Lodge #224 where he was a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, the Ziyara Shriners, the Disabled American Veterans (D.A.V.) Stars & Stripes Chapter #82, and at one time, a member of the International Association of Machinists. He was a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Corky is survived by his wife, Rose; his daughters and sons-in-law, Beatrice “Bea” A. and Dale Allison of Holland Patent, NY, Cheryl A. and Richard “Dick” Dowe of Whitesboro, and Rosemarie Pastorella of Deerfield; and his son and daughter-in-law, Vincent “Vinny” and Cecelia “Cissy” Pastorella of N. Utica. He cherished the memory of his infant son, Nicholas Vincent, who preceded him in death. He also leaves his grandchildren, Renee R. Nolan, Christopher D. Allison, Jennifer L. and Mark Zalatan, Richard M., Jr. and Kory Dowe of RI, Dana L. Dowe of Astoria, NY, Louis R. DeMichele, Jr., Nicholas V. DeMichele, Vincent A. Pastorella, and twins, Marianne Pastorella and Amy Lynn Pastorella. He was saddened by the passing of his great-grandson, Noah Thomas Nolan. Surviving are his great-grandchildren, Rylee Elizabeth Nolan, Marcus Achilles Zalatan, and Nathan Richard Zalatan. In addition, he leaves his sisters and brother-in-law, Antoinette Smith, Mary and Pat Polera, Anna Stores, and Beatrice LaPlante, all of Utica; his nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and sister-in-law, Vita R. Marino of N. Utica. He was predeceased by his brothers, Gerald, Alfred, Anthony, Ralph, and Nicholas, Jr. Pastorella; and his sisters and brothers-in-law, Josephine and Joseph Cannerelli, and Jennie and John Gerstner, Jr. The family is grateful to Corky’s primary physician, Dr. Francis Constantine and staff for their care, Dr. Emile Wassel, the St. Elizabeth Medical Center Special Care Unit, especially acknowledging Dawn, Amy, Ann, Teresa, Ethel, Susan, and Charlene; the staff of the ER for their care and compassion; and the Rev. Anthony P. LaFache for his spiritual guidance. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00-7:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc. 932 South St. corner of Hammond Ave. By family request, please omit floral offerings. Corky's funeral service will commence on Saturday morning at 8:30 from the funeral home and at 9:30 at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Military Honors. Interment will take place in Calvary Cemetery at the convenience of the family. “From their teenage years when Corky and Rose first met, fate would not let the two of them get away from what was meant to be. As the years and anniversaries went by, they never lost their commitment to their life together, a commitment that even now transcends the bounds of earth.”

Achille "Corky" Pastorella

March 16, 1919 - October 7, 2009