Gregory Joseph Pastore, Youngstown, Ohio

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – With heavy hearts we are saddened to announce the unexpected passing of our beloved husband and father, Gregory Joseph Pastore, 75, who passed away Thursday afternoon, October 3, 2024, at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Gregory was born July 15, 1949, in Salem, a son of the late Michael Angelo and Edith Burnip Pastore.

He was raised in Lisbon, where he attended Lisbon City Schools and was a proud member of St. George Parish. Greg graduated from David Anderson High School in 1967, where he played football and served as senior class president.

He continued his education at Youngstown State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in history in 1971 and was a member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

After college, Greg embarked on a successful career, first working for Procter & Gamble. He later joined Serex Vending Services Inc., serving as vice president of sales and marketing, until the company was sold. Greg concluded his career as vice president at Advantage Food and Beverage, retiring in 2017.

Service to the Church, Knights of Columbus and community were utmost in his life. Greg was an active member of the Knights of Columbus (K of C) Girard Council #2935, where he served in various capacities, including Grand Knight and at the time of his passing, as treasurer. Over the years, Greg earned many honors, including being inducted into the Greater Youngstown Area Chapter Hall of Fame. He was a recipient of the President’s Award and was class honoree for the Knighthood Degree in 1997. He was exemplified to the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus and joined Bishop Franzetta Assembly #846 in Girard, where he served as navigator and at the time of passing, comptroller. He was privileged to have the Fourth Degree Exemplification Class of 2012 named in his honor. He served as K of C Charities Campaign chairman and on the Measure Up campaign committee, both of whose revenues served the needy and those with developmental disabilities in the community, helping to provide others with the resources to live a happier life.

A devout Catholic, Greg was an active member of St. Rose Church in Girard, where he served on the finance committee and the festival committee. Greg sang with the St. Rose choir for nearly 40 years, as a cantor and soloist. His tenor voice was a gift from God, since he was not a trained vocalist. His voice was heard at numerous celebrations, weddings and funerals.

Beyond the many accolades of Greg’s professional career and volunteer service, his love and support for his family and friends is what will be missed the most. He met and fell in love with his wife of 50 years, Charlene, when she was a “Little Sister” to his fraternity. They married on Sept. 14, 1974, and raised two children, Cristina and Phillip. Greg could be found over the years coaching baseball, being a “Ballet Dad” at countless performances, and cheering his kids on through art shows and basketball halftime shows. His support and unconditional love for them never waivered through years of adulthood. He was the ultimate griller and loved to throw parties with Charlene for friends and family. Greg loved playing golf, was an avid (and often frustrated) fan of the three major Cleveland sports teams. He also enjoyed quality time with his furry buds Skippy, Rocco and Luna, who he would be seen with taking walks around the neighborhood.

Greg is survived by the love of his life, Charlene Carasi Pastore; his daughter, Cristina Constance Pastore of Atlanta; his son, Phillip Carasi (Maria) Pastore of Los Angeles; five siblings, Charles “Chick” (Bonnie) Pastore of Durham, North Carolina., Renee Pastore of Gahanna, Beverly (Joseph) Nagle of Medina, Lisa (James) Porter of Crystal River, Florida., and Dean Pastore of Columbus; nieces and nephews, Daniel (Molly) Pastore, Diana (Michael) Hosterman, Godson Christopher (Kristen) Nagle, and Kelly (Drew) Ullman; great-nieces and -nephews, Joy, Josie and June Hosterman, Claire and Jack Nagle, and Owen Ullman; many extended family members and countless friends.

Greg’s generosity and unwavering love for his family and community will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Greg was preceded in death by his parents; his infant brother, John Pastore; his great-niece, infant, Hope Hosterman; and his in-laws, Phillip and Connie Carasi.

Family and friends may call from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 11, 2024, at Kinnick Funeral Home , 222 S. State St., Girard.

Funeral services will begin at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home and continue with a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at St. Rose Church, 48 E. Main St., Girard.

Entombment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown.

In lieu of flowers, Greg’s family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Knights of Columbus Girard Council #2935 charitable fund, 122 S. State St., Girard, OH 44420; or to the Oblate Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Villa Maria Teresa, 50 Warner Rd., Hubbard, OH 44425.

Greg’s family has set up a special website for sharing photos and stories and encourages everyone who has a special story to tell or favorite picture of Greg, to please visit forgregory.com, to share the many wonderful memories that can live on with his family.

A television tribute will air Thursday, October 10 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.