Funeral services for Neil Pasternak, 89, of Beaufort are scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at St. James Orthodox Church in Beaufort. Burial will be at 1 p.m. at National Cemetery. He died at his home Jan. 18, 2023.
Neil was born June 9, 1933, in Flushing, NY to Mary and Alexander Pasternak. He was the youngest of eight children. He grew up in Whitestone New York where he was active in the Orthodox Church. He graduated from Bayside High School in 1951 and went on to attend New York City Community College where he earned a degree in applied arts and science.
In 1952 Neil joined the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Navarro APA-215 as a Navy Radioman Third Class during the Korean War. During his time in the Navy he earned National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
He was married to Sandra (Kruge) Pasternak on May 27, 1961 at in Ansonia Connecticut. She preceded him in death on Aug. 7, 2007. The couple lived in Connecticut New York, New Jersey, Kansas, Florida and Arkansas where he worked for printing companies as a print project manager/estimator.
Neil moved to Beaufort in 2008, where he attended St. Mary Magdalene Orthodox Church in Rincon, Georgia and St. James Orthodox Church. The church was an important part of Neil’s life as he had a strong devotion to its teachings.
Regardless of where in the country Neil lived, he remained a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Rangers hockey team. As he settled down in Beaufort, he loved taking trips to Hunting Beach where he created lasting memories as he took his grandchildren and great-grandchildren to hunt for shells and shark teeth.
He leaves behind three children Neil (Alma) Pasternak of Beaufort, Nick (Louisiana) Pasternak of Kansas City, Missouri, and Gail (Rick) Parsons of Junction City, Kansas; four grandchildren Steven Pasternak, Allie Pasternak, Nicholas Pasternak, and Rick Parsons; three great-grandchildren Annabelle Grace, Desmond Quinn, and Elias Benjamin Parsons; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Saint James Orthodox Church Building fund in Beaufort SC.