Pat Gualtieri is one man who every year for the last 15 years has been able to stop all traffic on 5 th Ave in Manhattan, a man known to be able to pull off miracles for the parade he puts on each year to honor American Veterans.
It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of a wonderful friend.
Pat passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Brooklyn 10 am, July 21 2015 at the age of 70. An infection resulting from the fight against cancer is what caused his death.
He is survived by his older brother Joe and his two children Tara and Gayla and his long term partner Molly Levi.
Pat had worked very closely with my mother, Yvonne Gillham-Jentzsch, as one of her Public Relations Officers. For eight years, until her death he was her close and trusted friend. “Paddy Darling” was always there for her and had a special ability to pull off miracles. It was Pat who was selected to do the mission to announce her departure to her staff and public at Celebrity Centre.
Pat, after returning from Vietnam as a young man in the late 60s, ended up at Celebrity Centre where my mother asked him if he would join the Sea Org and work with her.
One only needed to tell Pat what they wanted, and he would find a way to make it happen, with a great big smile on his face. He loved a challenge.
After Pat left Celebrity Centre and later Scientology International Management, he returned “home” to Brooklyn and started working with veterans in the NY MAYOR’S VA Office. Seeing that they were not acknowledged as much as he would have liked for what they have done for this country, Pat got involved with the United War Veterans Council and has been putting on events for the veterans. His office has been producing the yearly Veteran’s Day Parade which now boasts over 20,000 participants. Each year this parade has gotten larger and larger and is currently the largest Veteran’s Day Parade in the nation.
In 2012, Pat was named to the New York State Senate’s Veterans Hall of Fame for the wonderful work he has done to honor our veterans. http://www.veteransadvantage.com/va/herovet/pat-gualtieri
In 2011 and 2013, Pat gave me the honor of bringing a group of young singers from Las Vegas to New York to be part of his parade. Just being part of the parade and working with Pat and his staff revealed the true love this man had for everyone around him. He would put on special events for the wounded, for the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the officers, Special Forces, dignitaries, etc to make sure they were acknowledged for their service. Watching him interact with the United War Veterans Council, the Four Star Generals, Medaled warriors, etc., you could see the respect they all had for Pat as Pat did for them.
Pat is a true Hero of America and I am proud to have known him and called him a friend.
Janis Gillham-Grady
Pat and Janis
Some photos to remember Pat by:
Pat and Yvonne
Here Jentzsch, Milton Katselas, Yvonne Gillham-Jentzsch, Bobby Lyons and Pat Gualtieri
Pat running the show – how he will be best remembered by his many friends
RIP. Pat was my HQS Sup at Celebrity Center. He was the warmest and kindest man I had ever met. Thank you for posting this beautiful tribute. Pat and Yvonne were the very best.
I knew Pat in his Celebrity Center days. What a sweetheart! He was always so kind and good to me. I reconnected with him a few years back. I was so proud of what he did with helping vets; it was so Pat. I will miss him.
Very nice memorial post. May he rest in peace.
Pat was as talented and special as they come. And the mission continues. THIS ONE’S FOR YOU PAT – and for all who appreciate his service to our Veterans… ENJOY the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knsMpwU07MA
I never knew him personally but when you were at CC you couldn’t miss the presence of this big being. You were truly an American HERO. RIP and fly high.
Loved seeing these old photos. Does anybody know if Bobby Lyons is still drinking the cool aid? Hope not.
Yes, Bobby is still in. Hopefully he’s under the radar.
I have known Pat for about 10 years as a brother in the Vietnam Veterans of America. Pat was a stand up guy and was a veterans veteran. R.I.P. BROTHER Paul Narson, President VVA Queens, NY Chapter 32.
The World is a much better place because of Pat’s dedication to all Veterans and our Nation. RIP Pat
You’ll be missed Pat. Sorry to see you go. The world needs more people with your kind of drive, spirit, heart and dedication.
I worked with Pat since 2008 and drank the juice and never left till March 2015. Pat was my boss, mentor, & especially my friend. Pat taught me what it means to be a veteran. Now everyday when i see a vet or active duty person i say hello and thank you for your service. I will miss him everyday.
Fair winds and following seas, my friend. Rest in Peace. Hand Salute!
He sounds like his heart had room for the world.
May you be at peace, Pat.
Nice to see this side of former Scientologists – giving these loving tributes to someone who was a loving Scientologist.
My condolences to his friends and family. I didn’t know you, Pat, but wish I had. “RIP”
I loved pat……we had a ball. I will never forget our adventure with yvonne in mexico…long live them both. Wings abuser
Wings — you are often one of the great stories I share about Pat. He was so concerned about you and Cass when you were dating. This was 1974. We would take you to that coffee shop on the corner of 8th and Alvarado — and Pat would always pay.
And THEN we went up to Cass’s ranch and at some point the penny dropped — OHHHH that Warner.
I don’t post by name here — and prefer under the radar — but Mike knows me —
I go by Windhorse … he’ll give you my email if you ask.
So happy you are obviously well.
hello. I’m looking for WIND HORSE…..says u will connect me. wings hauser
See email I sent you
The memorials and loving tributes remembrance ceremonies planned for great ppl. In the church of sci that may even been called bigot by them is proof of all x scientologists are the kind loving ppl the church claimed to be, and the loving church does none of the above. I think the good side is obvious!
Janis.. You honored Patrick in such a heartfelt manner. Thank you. I did not get the pleasure of meeting this gentleman, but reading your words I felt that I had.
Go Gently into the night Patrick.. You have many friends.
I never met Patrick, but from reading the article and comments here he sounded like a real hero. My love and best wishes to those who are bereaving his loss. Go well, Patrick.
I’ve never spoken to anyone who wasn’t quite sure if they met Pat. If you worked with him, met him or were even in his presence, you were touched and would forever have a fond and happy memory of Pat Gualtieri. To know him is to remember the hug, the smile and the laugh he caused. Bigger than life. Flags should be at half-mast today.
so true!
Nice eulogy and remembrances here. 🙂
Glad to read what a wonderful man he was. Condolences to you friends and family. I wish him eternal peace.
I am sad to have never known Pat; plus, I was not allowed to serve my country and I was never in CoS. But, I do want to say this:
Thank You, Pat, for your service in Vietnam.
And thank you for keeping in the public mind the veterans, to whom not enough (and sometimes shoddy) thanks are ever given. These guys bled for us and, too many times, ruined their lives and peace of mind in service to us.
Patrick Gualtieri, I salute you!
Rest in Peace, Pat Gualtieri. We will plant a flower in my memorial garden as well as one of our American flags from the veterans organizations we belong to and support. Condolences to Pat’s family. While a few thousand of us Ex’s will remember him going way back, hundreds of thousands of veterans and vet families will keep his history of support and his memory of compassion alive forever. You will be missed.
wonderful reply!
Pat, although I never knew you, travel well to the next level of life.
Hi OSD, Tonight thinking about life,death & all things in between..In my time here I have been fortunate to meet some incredible spirits & look at other viewpoints as well.I like your post regarding the next level of life.Like the next wave,the next rainbow, the next moon, the next star light,but it is always very hard to say goodbye in this dimension.Always Ann.
I remember Pat well. Some of my fondest memories doing volunteer work in the 80’s at CCI was with “Axioms Productions”. All the events concerts and challenges along the way. Pat always struck me larger than life. Talk about “causative”. He was a force of nature. Never forget the last time I saw him was right before I left LA for the Freewinds, he literally picked me up off the ground in a bear hug. His heart was always in the right place. RIP Pat.
I’m with you, Doug.
He was one of my favorite people in the universe. We talked often and did a lot of shows together.
One time, he was in an outer org, on a mission. I happened to be in that town on some business so I just showed up in the doorway of his office, out of the blue and said, “So how can I help you, Mr. Gualtieri?” haha. He was so happy to see me, and I, him. 🙂
He said, “Can you help me make this lobby look a little more like a Celebrity Centre than a psychiatrist’s office?” So I got some plants and asked some artists to bring in their paintings to make it more like his CC home in LA. That made him happy.
I tried quite a few times to contact him since I’ve been UTR out but I never heard back from him. Maybe he was worried that he would get me in trouble for talking to a “Declared SP”. That’s the kind of man he is. Always looking out for people he cared for.
Whoever could declare Pat Gualtieri would have to be an SP himself. Of course, we all know that.
His beautiful wife, Sarah, called him Pagliacci as one of her pet names.
With all my love and with deep sorrow I say,
“Good night, Pagliacci. Good night.”
Hi indie8million, I am so sorry for your loss.When the good ones depart,a hole is ripped in hearts.The one who goes ahead will always love & care,but from a different viewpoint.Always Ann.
Thank you, Ann. So true. Even though I haven’t verbally talked with him in years, he is still a presence. As many can, I’m sure, I still feel him now and know he’s happy to feel light as a feather again.
I regret and resent the disfavor and degradation that he experienced in the SO. I will make a mark for him someday.
But, for now, I’m glad he’s truly “out” and that the last 15 years or so, he was surrounded by people who loved him, unconditionally, as he did them. XO indie8
Doug – Mike knows my email addy. Please drop me a line.
Will do.
Great guy……good friend….one time Pat and I (around 1975) tried to come up with a phrase that when said would ‘clear’ people as we were disappointed at int management, etc….decided on “green peas”…tried it on a few people at FOLO and CC…didn’t work……..been nearly 40 years since I’ve seen him….but will never forget that smile….
.
An American hero and an Angel to Veterans. R.I.P.
While being the Msn I/C of LAO reno’s at big Blue, I would enjoy hearing Pat sing with the rest of the CC Rpfers. Their theta was contagious! I’ve always respected everyone who worked with me on the renos and Pat was easy to respect. RIP.
So good to see that Pat gave his energy and competence
to our veterans in his later years, after a lifelong dedication
to helping others in the church. Truly a beautiful person.
RIP Pat.
Godspeed Pat
I was on the RPF with him two times and on mission with him once. One of the very best people I ever knew. His “spirit of play” was a defining characteristic. This isn’t exactly a one hundred percent perfect description; it’s about 85% right: he was a lot like Steve Irwin (the Crocodile Hunter) – but swap out that marvelous Australian attitude with New York brash. And swap out Steve’s passion for animals for Pat’s passion for Scientology.
While Pat was involved, he was totally involved. He head-over-heels LOVED Scientology and Dianetics and seeing people win with it.
RIP Sir. Although I did not know you, you clearly left a beautiful mark on this world.
My family sends its condolences to your family as they grieve.
I am so very sorry to hear of his passing. He helped me on Yvonne’s bio and was a person I would have liked to meet in person. Something I did not include in Yvonne’s bio that I feel may be more appropriate here was his comment about he and Yvonne –
“I may have mentioned that one day upon her returning from one of her many PR trips throughout the USA etc, she would bring small personal gifts to the staff. She came over to me and gave me a metal figure of a man holding a shield with his spear pointed forward, and said “that’s you darling”. Indeed I was to remain that for her always.”
RIP Pat, I regret we did not meet in person.
Great little story, thanks Howard to posting.
Nice picture of Heber. How’s he doing in The Hole? Anyone heard from him lately? He’s got to be at least 80 by now. Did they put him in a nursing home?
Heber told his brother, after the funeral of his son, “The only way I’ll ever get out of here is in a box.” He was apparently reprimanded for speaking out and told not to talk with his brother anymore.
Folks, that’s scientology for you…
Janis, an outstanding post. Pat was bigger than life. I loved him like he was my brother. I miss him. All us veterans lost a major ally and advocate yesterday.
Love always Pat
Tom M
Thanks Tom. He too thought of you as a brother and thanks for being there for him.
Thank you Janis. One more comment here and it is a quote from somwone i cannot remember, but it goes like this: “No one dies as long as they continue to be loved,” Pat will never die because tens of thousands of people love him. Keep the love for this great being alive. He’s made this world a much better place while he was here.
ML Tom
I knew Pat in the old days at Flag. He was ray of sunshine, always upbeat and with a smile on his face. Always caring and friendly. RIP old friend.
Your sweet smile and fun, loving outlook on life was contagious. It has been a pleasure knowing you in the limited way that I have. You were one of my faves at CC Int. RIP Pat.
For all too short a period I was married to a former wife of Pat and Gala’s mother, Sarah Leopold. Sarah loved Pat and lamented their enforced separation due to the highly destructive “separation” policy which destroyed their marriage. Sarah did not change her name from Sarah Gualtieri to Sarah Leopold until after he went “home”. Privately, she had nothing but positive words to say about Pat. I look forward to that marvelous day when Gala acknowledges that her father went “home” for very valid reasons, which are in conflict with her continued blind support of the Tyrant. Gala is on staff at Flag, last I knew. I’m confident Sarah stays in the church because she doesn’t want to suffer a life-long enforced separation from her daughter, though her relatively recent life on the PAC RPF hasn’t helped that situation either. To my knowledge, Sarah is still on the PAC RPF, and has been since 2004. Does anyone have any other data?
Hi Glenn — so good to hear from you. And I appreciate your kind words. I know Sarah never lost her love for Pat. It is so sad that in scientology so often the choice has to be made between those you love and the church. The church is a jealous spouse. It does not tolerate competition for devotion to it lightly.
I always had respect for Sarah, mainly knowing that anyone that closely connected with Pat speaks volumes about their character. Sorry to hear she’s on the RPF. Another indictment against the cult and it’s dehumanization of good people.
Thank you Janis and thank you Glenn for your kind words about both Sarah and Pat. I knew them both as well. Sarah worked with me in the Scriptwriting Unit — a totally thankless job since DM refused to approve anything she wrote. Sarah was never able to write in DM’s stilted, enforced, affected, unnatural style (which was out-of-valence, out-PR, out-reality) that DM used to keep his clubbed seals hypnotized whilst draining their bank accounts. Yet she always remained upbeat and positive. I don’t know how she did it, frankly.
After many years in audio, Pat was transferred into marketing. And I never saw him there without a beaming smile, except perhaps when you were talking to him and he was listening — always with rapt interest and an inherent kindness — kinda like how the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz listened to Dorothy.
Whenever I talked to Pat, I got the idea he silently teaching — “Here’s how to listen to someone. Here’s how we did it in the old days. Here’s how Yvonne did it. Here’s how you use TRs positively.” Pat was old-school Scientology — uncorrupted by Hubbard’s dark side and by DM’s only side. Know what I mean?
Pat was out of place at the Int base. Everyone was except for the mean-spirited few who embraced the evil and spat it into other people faces. Neither Sarah nor Pat ever embraced the evil. Pat didn’t belong at the Int base. He belonged out in the world interacting with people and doing good. Pat was a people person as his achievements with the Veterans so clearly demonstrates.
I never looked at Pat at the Int base without a tinge of sorrow. He did not belong there. His love and talents — so needed in the world — were wasted there.
It’s tough to see him go, except in the knowledge that he will be back with us soon with greater things in store for the world by virtue of his boundless energy, compassion and kindness. The world can use a man like that.
But don’t get the idea Pat was a softie. He was a battle-hardened veteran of the light. Can you imagine what the Int base would have been like without people like Pat to mitigate the evil? Maybe Pat did belong there. His mere presence just said, “No, this environment is not right.”
I believe that most people know when the “stars are lined up” and the timing is right for this transition. The traditional look is to see death as a loss, but I prefer to look at it as a gain and a new beginning. Somewhere someone is about to receive a brand new version of Pat Gualtieri — new and improved, fresh out of the starting blocks, cleansed by the fires of death from his malignant experiences in the CoS, compassion and vigor restored by a swim in the seas of tranquility. Could any parent do better than to receive the soul of Pat Gualtieri as a beautiful young son? I don’t think so.
If that arrival takes place anytime soon, perhaps he will be there for one of us after we make our own transition one day. Perhaps he will be there for you as a young father in 2035, or a mentor in 2040? Perhaps in 2050 he will be there to give you or me our first job. Or perhaps one of us will marry one of his children in 2060.
Thank God he’s moving up and onward into whatever circumstances he wants to engage and into whatever place he wants to live. I wish him well on his journey. He will do it effortlessly.
Meanwhile it will behoove the rest of us to watch closely for the appearance of child with that trademark-Pat-Gualtieri twinkle in his eye.
Hi Toughtful, A beautiful & masterful post to a Beautiful Master.Thank you, Ann.
Hi Thoughtful, Sorry computers & old PBX lines got crossed..Ann.
Wonderful statement.
Beautiful sentiment Thoughtful.
BEAUTIFUL post.
Hi Glenn, I was a bride’s maid for Sarah when she married Pat along with Suzette Hubbard and Keithe Karras. I had known Sarah/Sally since about 1972 when she first showed up on the ship. A great gal. I heard she had tried to leave around the time you left but was taken back. As for Gayla, I gave her the chance to call her father last week. I had managed to get her cell phone number – she is a Reg for the IAS and I told her what was going on with her dad and that it would mean the world to him to hear from her and that he loved both her and Sarah with all his heart. I did ask Gayla how her mother was and she only said she was fine and did not have a phone. It was obviously Gayla was not going to get into comm with me.
Exemplary PR. Exemplary man. Exemplary heart. Will love you always, Pat. Naomi
One amazing guy to touch the hearts of so many. Have a breather, soldier. You’ve earned it!
I knew Pat as a guy who could accomplish anything when I worked restoring the Manor. He will be missed. Rest in Peace my friend.
My condolences to Patrick Gualtieri’s family and friends.
Aw, man, sad news. I remember Pat G. well from CC. What a loss.
RIP Pat…I’m sure we met at CCLA back in the 60’s…
I enjoyed the heck out of this man and will miss him.
Thank you, Janis. Pat was one of those truly good people who are always working to help those around them. RIP.
His reputation spread far & wide for decades as being synonymous with “CCLA” It mattered not that I never personally met him! It was still “well known”!.. There have been a “handful” of people who were on the “ground floor” with establishing Scn, CCLA, AOLA, ASHO. Pat was identified long ago as “founding crew” for CCLA..
I new Pat during the early days at CCLA. Back then, he was always doing something for the group in a cheerful, uptone way. He just made you want to be a part of whatever he was up to. The bond between Yvonne and Pat was so visible. Pat adored Yvonne. He was an inspiration to many of us. He will be sorely missed. Rest in peace, Pat. Your love for your fellow man knew no bounds. God bless.
Pat made my life better, without trying or being asked, and I think that’s what he did for everyone he ran into. Yes, he was a true Hero. Go in peace, my friend. Rob Williamson
With you on that Rob.
Thanks, Janis, for a fine tribute to a thoroughly decent guy.
My condolences to those fortunate enough to know Pat personally. Sounds like one of the best.
Thank you, Janis, for this tribute. You’ve allowed us to understand what you and the world loved in this man, and what we have all lost. Rebecca J.
I only knew Pat from the work he did with Dianetics in the USA. He seemed more motivated by results than to play politics. I didn’t know him that well but I could tell he had power.
RIP.
All veterans are precious and their duty much appreciated, rest in peace Pat.
I remember Pat from the old days. I am sad to hear his passing away.
I’m so sorry for your loss and the loss to his family. It’s clear he was a wonderful man who left his world a better place.
Wow. Sad to hear his passing so young, but thank you for the wonderful memorial Janis. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP
Big smile, big heart. I will always remember Pat for his friendship, his humor, and his genuine care for others. He was a prince. I can imagine him organizing parades of angels about now. Rest in Peace, Pat.
Perfect comment Jeff. Thanks.
Agreed! Perfect comment, Jeff. May our dear friend be dancing with the angels…helping them
with their next projects, as he’s so well known for doing. RIP, Pat…and Fly high 🙂 <3
Good PM Mike, Wanted to say may Pat rest in peace or do whatever wherever he wants to be. I will miss him and beautiful Yvonne Always.Maybe on the other shore… Ann.
Rest in Peace; and may your family be blessed with comfort.
RIP Pat. He was a legend and one of the truly good ones.