Obituaries

Charles A. Pecora

Charles A. Pecora of Riverhead died at his home on April 5. He was 84 years old.

He was born Aug. 19, 1928, in Orange, N.J., to Louis and Evelyn (Hart) Pecora.

He served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force between 1951 and 1955. He returned to a long career as an X-ray technician at North Fork Radiology in Riverhead, where he was the first employee to retire 18 years ago. He was a member of the Riverhead Masonic Lodge for more than 50 years.

Mr. Pecora had a wedding photography business and a race-timing business, and he taught both cabinetmaking and advanced skiing. He enjoyed fishing, boating and, above all else, running.

He volunteered at many local organizations, including the East End Arts Council, where he was a valet at its summer concert series. He also organized countless footraces in Riverhead. Years ago, he negotiated a deal with Coca-Cola to deliver products to his house for the Riverhead Country Fair, despite the fact that the company was on strike at the time.

“He was an incredible person,” said his wife, Letitia. “Not many people did all the things he did and a life well-lived is a life well-remembered.”

Predeceased by his brother Richard Pecora, and niece Renee McElroy, a very important person to him, Mr. Pecora is survived by his wife, Letitia; daughter, Carole Pecora-Przesiek of Rochester, N.Y.; brother John Pecora of California; sisters, Etna Pavics and Elmire Pecora, both of New Jersey; nephews, Carl Perrello and Todd Pavics; nieces Robin Preziosi, Katherine Threlkeld and Gabrielle and Sabrina Pecora; grandson, Andrew Palagonia; granddaughter, Erin Gagné; great-grandsons, Nicholas and Tristan Gagné; great-granddaughter, Gianna Palagonia; grandnieces, Danielle, Gabriella and Alexandra Perrello, Meagan and Lauren McElroy and Micaela Rose Threlkeld; and grandnephew, Gregory Prezioci.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 3, at 11 a.m. at Calverton National Cemetery, with interment to follow. Arrangements were handled by Reginald H. Tuthill Funeral Home in Riverhead.

This is a paid notice.