Patrick L. Gualtieri

Patrick ("Pat") Gualtieri on July 21, 2015 Beloved life partner 0f Marleen "Molly" Levi for 15+ years. Loving father of Tara Mendelson and Gayla Gualtieri. Dear Grandfather of Jacob (13) and Sacha (8).Fond brother of Joseph Gualtieri. Memorial Visitation Saturday 2-5 & 7-10, Memorial Service Sunday 11am- 2pm (repast lunch to follow at the Fort Hamilton Army Base Brooklyn, NY all are welcomed to honor Pat ) at Cusimano & Russo Funeral Home 2005 West 6th Street Brooklyn, NY 11223. Patrick L. Gualtieri, age 70, was a U.S Army veteran of Vietnam who helped propel the NYC veterans day parade on November 11, into America's parade as the largest celebration of service in America, died July 21 after succumbing to cancer. His life partner, Molly was at his bedside. Born and raised in Brooklyn, Pat served in the U.S Army from 1966-68 including a one-year tour in Vietnam during the Tet Offense. He once described lying in the jungle watching as "Puff" an American gunship, rained fire on North Vietnamese regulars during Tet. "I had mixed feelings, happy to be alive, yet saddened that so many would die". After service, Patrick moved to California where he lived/worked for 20+ years. He returned to NYC in 2000 where he successfully applied his event production talents to elevate the VETERANS DAY PARADE. As Executive Director of the United War Veterans Council, producers of the annual parade; Pat built the event into America's Parade the largest celebration of service in the nation. His dedicated efforts, creative vision, hard work and commitment to service earned him much recognition and respect within the veterans community and beyond. The parade now includes more then 25,000 participants, active duty military units, veterans organizations, high school marching bands from around the nation, dignitaries and top elected officials from NYC and NYS and the highest ranking U.S military commanders. The veterans community mourns the loss of a giant,who devoted his life to honoring those who served, said Vincent McGown, founding president of the United War Veterans Council "Pat's boundless energy and unflagging good will helped drive our efforts to shape a world class effort to honor service on November 11th and every day of the year". In addition to the parade, Pat produced other year round events that honor service such as the Goodwill Valentine's Caravan; Vietnam Veterans recognition day and resource fair; and partnered with other organizations to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies in the Tri-state area. "Paddy had a larger-then-life presence and will forever be remembered in the hearts and minds of those he touched in his unique ways", remarks Molly. "We lived together and worked together- sharing a very special bond and boundless love in playful ways that kept us young at heart....I am devastated by his passing and cannot imagine life without him" adds a saddened Molly. Patrick was very much a people person, always wanting to help someone in need- and he did!. He shared his life stories and brought smiles and laughter to many a meeting. A gifted speaker with a natural style, Pat was so comfortable in front of the camera, microphones, stage and life at large. Molly always told him he wasn't just a ham-but a ham and cheese and very much "media magnet"-they always found him!. Pat enjoyed writing, creating, music, movies, reading, public speaking, event production and beyond. He had a great voice- a natural talent for singing- and was once told he had a perfect pitch.