Pat G. "Pasquale" Latorra

Pat G. "Pasquale" Latorra, age 94,  Huntington Mills, passed away at his home early Sunday, February 26, 2017 after an illness.

Born in Montclair, New Jersey on September 7, 1922, he was a son of the late Leonard and Elizabeth (Salzarulo) Latorra. He was a 1940 graduate of Bound Brook High School, Bound Brook, N.J.

Pat lived in the Somerset County area of New Jersey for more than 60 years. He retired from Colgate-Palmolive Company in 1983, after working there for many years as a chemical laboratory technician.  He and his wife, Anna, moved to Huntington Mills in 1986.

He was a communicant of St. Martha's Catholic Church in Huntington Township and a member of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association.

Pat was fond of all sports, but baseball was his true favorite. At age 18, while playing American Legion baseball, he had tryouts with three major league teams. He was a long time loyal fan of the "Big Band Era" and the New York Yankees.

After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U. S. Coast Guard, and for the next four years was a gunner's mate aboard two vessels. The vessels served as escorts for troop and cargo ships and tankers carrying troops and war supplies from the United States to Europe via the turbulent North Atlantic where German subs savaged the convoys. His exploits during that period became part of a book which he wrote following his discharge. Some of those events became part of the hard-cover book, "Hometown Heroes" published by the Times Leader several years ago. He was awarded the American Theatre, Good Conduct, European African Middle Eastern and Victory medals. His name is registered in the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Pat returned to one of his true interests, flying. In August 1947, after flight training, where former Air Force pilots served as instructors, he was awarded his FAA certificate as a private pilot of single engine land planes.

Also in 1947, he met Anna Timko, a registered nurse, who in 1948 was to become his wife, and later "mom" of their four children. Pat and Anna celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary on October 24, 2016.

Surviving in addition to his wife are four children: Bob Latorra, and his wife Nancy, Benton; Patrick Latorra, Lebanon, New Jersey; David Latorra, and his wife Lois, Boulder, Colo.; Elizabeth, wife of Tim Johnson, Augusta, Maine; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Interment will be made in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Hillsborough, New Jersey.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton. Condolence messages and photographs may be posted at: www.krinerfuneralhomes.com