Mr. Patsy "Pat" Polera

UTICA - Mr. Patsy “Pat” Polera, age 93, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center with his family at his side. Born in Utica on April 20, 1924, Patsy was the son of the late Tommaso and Francesca (Pellegrino) Polera. He attended T.R. Proctor High School. A United States Army veteran and a member of the Greatest Generation, Pat proudly enlisted in the US Army Air Corps at the age of 18 and honorably served his country from 1943-1946 during World War II. On February 18, 1950 he married his lifelong sweetheart, the former Mary J. Pastorella with whom he shared 67 years in a union of reciprocal love and respect. They were ahead of their time and adapted to the modern developments over the decades. They enjoyed life and were active and always on the go. His beloved Mary passed away on August 27, 2017. Pat began his working career at Chicago Pneumatic and then UNIVAC, but the majority of his employment was with Kelsey Hayes where he worked for 30 years, retiring as a “Tool Controller” in the Tool Dye Department. His last 11 years in the workforce were devoted to his job at Utica City Hall as a Recreation Coordinator for Senior Citizens for Utica. Pat was a natural “Do-It-Yourself” advocate, and he was meticulous in the many duties and repairs in maintaining his home. His interests included gardening, especially a plentiful tomato harvest, art projects, and traveling with his “Mary” to the annual Bouckville Antique Show where they sold, bought, and traded their collectibles. He practiced his Catholic faith as a parishioner of St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church. Patsy is survived by his many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and in-laws, Rose Pastorella, Diane Pastorella, Josie Pastorella, and Anna Stores. He was predeceased by his brothers and sister-in-law, Frank and Beverly Polera, John S. “Derby Dan” and Frances Polera, and Dominick “Dick” Polera; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Angela “Angie” and Victor Gerace, and Mary and Stephen Potenza; in-laws, Beatrice and Gerald J. “Jerry” LaPlante, James J. Stores, Jennie and John W. Gerstner Jr., Josephine T. and Joseph Cannerelli, Achille “Corky” Pastorella, Anthony J. Pastorelli, Gerald Pastorella, Antoinette Smith, Ralph Pastorella, Nicholas Pastorella, and Alfred “Freddy” Pastorella; nieces, Francine J. Noti, and Sara Gina Kelly; and nephews, Jason LaPlante, and William John Smith. A gracious thank you is offered to the nurses and staff of the PCU at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center who went above and beyond, with much affection for Pat and it is so much appreciated. He was blessed to have the loyalty of his nephew and niece, Chad LaPlante and Michelle LaPlante who have had a watchful eye over their uncle, and they were all blessed to have each other. The family commemorated Pat’s life at a private time. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Friday morning (April 6, 2018) at 11:00 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. Mark Kaminski with Military Honors conferred by the US Army. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of the Mass. Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Rescue Mission of Utica; envelopes will be available at the service. Pat will be laid to rest at Our Lady Queen of Hope Chapel, beside his beloved, at Calvary Cemetery Mausoleum.

Mr. Patsy "Pat" Polera

April 20, 1924 - March 27, 2018