Victor J. Pachera

PACHERA Victor J. Pachera, age 77, passed on to eternal rest at St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, on Thursday, November 6, 2008 with his loving family by his side. He was born in Tarrytown, N.Y., on June 19, 1931, to the late Guerino Pachera and Maria Formaggioni Pachera, and lived in Bridgeport for 70 years. A graduate of Central High School in 1949, Mr. Pachera was employed by the Sikorsky Division of United Technologies Corporation until his retirement. An avid reader and insatiable intellectual, he had an astute mind for such diverse fields as 20th Century American and European art, history, music, contemporary humor, and military aviation. Victor is best known as the host of "Jazz Classics", a weekly show broadcast on WPKN radio devoted to American Jazz from the 1920's to the end the swing era, which was one of the longest running WPKN programs. As the voice of "Jazz Classics", Victor had a strong fan base of admiring listeners, and was widely known for his authoritative commentary on the lives and musical styles of legendary players and singers. He is survived by the love of his life, Lois Gebeau; his loving sister, Gloria Curry of Trumbull; his cherished nieces, Mary Bauer and husband, Ricky, Kathleen deStefano and husband, John, and Stephanie Bartels and husband, Russell, all of Phoenix, Ariz. He will also be missed by his dear friends and cousins; his grand nephews, Parker and Jake; and grand nieces, Emily and Olivia. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, November 8, at 12 p.m. at Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main Street, Bridgeport (on the Trumbull Line). Burial will be at the convenience of the family. The family would like to express gratitude to the staff in CHF Clinic and MICU at St. Vincent's for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Yale University Art Gallery or The Victor Pachera Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 208271, New Haven, CT 06520-8271. Calling hours are on Saturday after 11 a.m. in the Commerce Hill Funeral Home, 4798 Main Street, Bridgeport (on the Trumbull Line). For online memorials, to light a virtual candle and sign the guest book please visit us at commercehillfh.com.