John Anthony Pastore

John Anthony Pastore, 98, of Gainesville, FL passed away peacefully on April 2, 2025 surrounded by family.
John was born to Irene Monahan and Anthony Pastore and grew up in Philadelphia, PA alongside his brother Joe and sister Patricia (Tish).
As a young man, John worked on building the Panama Canal. He then joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and served until 1955, spending a year serving in the Korean War as a Teletype Operator, where he earned the Korean Service Medal. He spent his professional career as a dispatcher for Central Trucking in Miami, Florida.
In 1946, John married the love of his life, Yolanda Soltura Pastore, who was from Cuba. They raised their two children, John and Maria Elena, in Miami, Florida. In 1983, they retired and moved to Gainesville, Florida to spend time with family. They loved to travel, visiting Cuba, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska, Australia, and New Zealand. John was an avid golfer, who spent a lot of time out on the course with his son until he was 94. John also loved ballroom dancing, particularly when on a cruise with family.
John is preceded in death by his wife, Yolanda Soltura Pastore, parents Irene Monahan and Anthony Pastore, sister Patricia (Tish) Pastore, brother Joseph Pastore, and daughter Maria Elena Anderson. He is survived by his son John A. Pastore, Jr. (Wife Randi Elrad), granddaughters Jorgia Wooten (Husband Alan), Jessica McKinney (Husband Patrick), and Cory Anderson (husband Matt Lowman), son-in-love Bobby McAfee, and great-grandchildren Maxwell McAfee, Brice McKinney, Griffin McKinney, Ava McKinney, Elijah Lowman, Gracie Lowman, Susan Lowman and Lilly Lowman.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Faith Catholic Church on Monday, April 14, 2025 with Father Jose officiating. As a proud veteran of the United States Air Force, he was laid to rest with military honors in recognition of his faithful service to our country at a Graveside Service, held at Forest Meadows Memorial Park Central Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tyler's Hope.