Pensiero “Pete” A. Mastropietro, 95

September 06, 2016

Pensiero “Pete” A. Mastropietro, 95, of St. Anne’s Retirement Community, formerly of Lancaster, passed away on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Lancaster Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of the late Armida (Scarpone) who passed away in June 2015.
Born in Casalciprano, Molise, Italy, October 2, 1920, he was the son of the late Nunzio A. and Michelina (Yapoala) Mastropietro.
He mastered the clarinet at an early age, becoming the student conductor of the concert band at A. B. Davis High School in Mt. Vernon, NY. He was recognized for his musical ability and he received a scholarship to attend Juilliard School of Music in New York City. After graduation from Julliard in 1942, he enlisted in the US Army. Again, his musical skills were recognized and he was named first clarinet in the 240th AGF Band. Upon discharge from the Army in 1945, he studied finance at City College of New York.
His first job was with a firm that imported Cuban cigars. He moved on to become the international traffic manager for Picker X-ray Corp, at the time the leading manufacturer of radiology equipment in the US. His primary responsibility was the exporting all over the world of Cobalt-60 units which were the leading high tech radiation cancer treatment at the time.
In the late 50’s, Pete went into business for himself, establishing PAMCO, Inc., a company importing wholesale foods. After years of hard work and success in this area, Pete went into retail gourmet food and cheese, establishing “The Cheese Box” in Pleasantville, NY.
When his boys were young, he was extremely active with the Boy Scouts of America as an adult leader. A deeply committed Catholic Christian, he received the Bronze Pelican award for adult leadership from the Boy Scouts at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
He was member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church where he was a longtime choir member, and a third degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He loved Jesus and embraced him as his personal savior, and especially loved Jesus’ Blessed Mother. He was dedicated to the devotion of Jesus as Divine Mercy.
After years of being a master clarinetist, Pete found a new challenge and took up the bassoon, mastering this complex instrument in six months. He was privileged to play as a bassoonist with many symphonies in Westchester County, NY, often playing in Carnegie Hall.
When he finally retired from business, he and Armida moved to Lancaster. Pete quickly became involved with multiple local bands and symphonies. He was very active in with the Musical Arts Society, and was a regular judge on the scholarship committee. He established his own classical woodwind group of two clarinetists and himself on the bassoon, the “Sylvan Wind Trio”. They entertained all over Lancaster. In the square for “brown bag” concerts, at local nursing homes, at social events, at weddings and on most Sunday afternoons at Borders Book Store, playing Mozart for book readers and coffee drinkers, the Trio brought listening pleasure to a great many people in our county.
Pete is survived by his three sons; N. Anthony, M.D. married to Charlene, of Lancaster, Robert S. married to Bernadine, of Brookefield, CT., and Peter married to Sheila, of Lancaster; his 14 grandchildren; Christina M. married to Kevin Tufarolo, C. James married to Angela Hepler, Gregory C. Mastropietro, Jennifer B. married to Joseph Cavanaugh, John K. Mastropietro, Timothy S. Mastropietro, Anne K. married to David Gaffny , Alyssa A. Mastropietro, Monica M. Mastropietro, Cara M. married to Bill Dowden, Anna Nicole married to Nick Antonucci, Mark P. married to Maro Mastropietro, Mia P. married to Mike McMonagle, and Carolyn M. married to Matt Jakielski; his 14 great-grandchildren; Zabelle, Anto, Andrew, Ryan, Jackson, Elise, Daniel, Holden, Dean, Tessa, Nick, Maggie, Alex and Anthony James “AJ”
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church 558 W. Walnut St. Lancaster, PA 17603 at 11AM with Rev. Allan F. Wolfe as Celebrant. A time of viewing for family and friends will be held on Monday, September 12, 2016 at the Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home& Crematory, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA from 6-8PM with a Divine Mercy Service and Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 7:45PM. There will be another time of viewing held on Tuesday, one-hour prior to the start of Mass. Interment will take place following Mass in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery Mausoleum with Military Honors.
Memorial contributions in memory of Pete may be made to Music for Everyone 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17603 or Boy Scouts PA Dutch Council, 630 Janet Ave., Lancaster, PA 17601.