PITTSFIELD, Mass. — World War II veteran Anthony Pastore could always be counted on to sing the "The Star-Spangled Banner" on Memorial and Veterans Day events, and anytime his services were called on for his fellow veterans.

 

Now a recording of his voice singing the national anthem will be used to memorialize his own passing on Friday at the age of 96. 

 

"He never turned us down," said VFW Post 448 Commander Arnold Perras. "Even if he didn't feel good or it was cold, it was 10-below zero, sometimes on Pearl Harbor Day."

 

Pastore is remembered by the community for his dedication, kind disposition, and musical talents, particularly in singing the national anthem at so many public events for more than four decades.

 

"Every time I saw him and right up to the last time I saw him in November, he would pull me in tight and remind me of conversations we had through the years," state Sen. Adam Hinds said. "This year, he reminded me of a conversation we had six years earlier on his porch. He was just capable of making everyone feel special and cared for. Such a loss for the community."

 

Pastore was very active in veteran organizations as a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 448, a 50-year member of American Legion Post 68, and vice commander and then commander of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15.

 

On Veterans Day in November, Pastore was honored as Veteran of the Year on behalf of the Berkshire Veterans Coalition for serving his country in the highest military tradition and continuing to serve the community long after taking off his uniform. He was presented with a plaque and his name will be engraved on a bench of honor in the Veterans Memorial Park on South Street.

 

"I attend as many veteran events as possible and as always, Mr. Pastore is singing the national anthem," former City Councilor Melissa Mazzeo said. "As he got up in age, I would call to check up on him and left my cell number with him. One day my phone rang and my daughter happened to answer, he told her that he was calling to check in on me. My daughter Mia and I drove over to his house for a visit and it was amazing. He just wanted company and we were so honored that he called us. He was such a gentleman and his service to the country and community are a true testament to his character. I will never hear our national anthem again without thinking of him."

 

Known lovingly as "Tony" by friends, family, and community members, Pastore had an honorable military career.  His awards include the European Africa Middle East Ribbon with five battle stars, the Presidential Unit Citation with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the French Fourragere American Theater Ribbon, the World War II Victory Medal with one silver battle star, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

 

Pastore was born and raised in Pittsfield, attending local schools. He enlisted in the Army on March 24, 1943, at the age of 18, following his brothers Chief Petty Officer Michele Pastore and Sgt. Joseph A. Pastore of the 16th Medical Regiment to active duty at Fort Devens.

 

From there he went to Miami Beach, Fla., for basic training and attended Aircraft Mechanic School in Boston.

 

He eventually found himself in the middle of World War II, during which he saw action in North Africa, Italy, Germany, and France. Following the Allies' victory in Europe, Pastore was preparing for action in the Pacific Theater.

 

"A short time later, I was sent to Marseille to join a bunch of soldiers from ground and air units to get ready to go to Japan as reinforcements for our boys and girls in Pacific ...," Pastore wrote in an autobiography for the acceptance of Veteran of the Year. "But President Truman authorized the use of atomic bombs to persuade the Japanese to quit and end the war ... it worked... we did not go to Japan and after a trip home on a Victory Ship, Pastore was discharged on 8 Dec. 1945. Amen."

 

But after a few years of civilian life, he joined the Air Force on Jan. 17, 1948, and trained in radio repairs and guided missile systems. He was discharged on Jul. 7, 1949.

 

Following his final discharge, he was employed in General Electric's Naval Department as a test man in the Torpedo Division and later transferred to the Transformer Department. He was employed as a truck driver for Sam Carr Hardware, as a laborer in Pittsfield's Water Department and then in 1960 started his own business, Pastore Service Center, a gas station and variety store that also specialized in TV and auto repair. 

 

The business ran for 12 years, closing in 1977 and Pastore became parts manager for the Battery Mart in Troy, N.Y., and then returned to Pittsfield in 1981 to work in the parts department at the former Arace Auto.

 

Petricca Construction was Pastore's final employer before his retirement in 1992, though retirement did not slow him down.  In addition to his memberships at the American Legion and VFW, he was a communicant of St. Mark's Church and a former member of the Sons of Italy ITAM Lodge 564.

 

He also completed a wide array of educational endeavors. In addition to his diploma from the New England Aircraft Radio and Transmitter School, Pastore completed business college courses and graduated from the Phil Saltman Music School in Boston and the New England Conservatory of Music, where he studied classical voice.

 

Pastore was a cantor and sang in the St. Mark's Choir and also cantor at the former St. Mary's Church on Tyler Street and the former St. Theresa's on South Street. Since 1980, Pastore has honored his fellow veterans by singing the national anthem at military functions.

 

In his biographical note, he told of leaving one of the jobs he held in between enlistments because of the employer's lack of appreciation for his musical stylings, telling him, "this wasn't a night club so please don't sing."

 

"I've known Tony for about four years, I wish it was longer, but they were great years," Joseph Difilippo of the VFW Post 448 said.

 

Pastore's life will be celebrated by via a livestream of his funeral service on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 11 a.m. on Flynn & Dagnoli Funeral Home's Facebook page. Perras said a recording of Pastore singing the national anthem at the 9/11 observances last year will be played and veterans attending the graveside service will march by one by one and do a final salute.