Pasquale A. "Pat" Pepe, 94, of Shelton, former longtime resident of Ansonia, died July 4. He was born in Derby, January 27, 1924, son of Pasquale M. Pepe and Giovanna F. Savarese.

His six children and their spouses, Pat Jr and Debbie Pepe of Sandy Hook, Albert and Donna Pepe of Oldsmar, Fla., Michael and Patricia Pepe of Cheshire, Anthony "Nino" and Jill Pepe of Sherman, Marie and Vic Theriault of Waxhaw, N.C., and Anne and John Brady of Richardson, Texas; sisters, Diana Duarte of Orange and Theresa Rasmussen of Holyoke, Mass.; 11 grandchildren, Christopher and Daniel Theriault, John and Carol Brady, Margaret Wilson, Christina, Justin, Michael, Jr, and Nicole Pepe, and Michael and Christopher Parke; and 16 nieces and nephews survive him.

His granddaughter, Angela Pepe; brother, Vincent Pepe; and sister, Joan Asprelli, predeceased him.

Mr Pepe attended Fordham College for two years before being enlisted into military service in World War II. He was placed at the University of Detroit in the Army Specialized Training Program before being assigned to the 58th Infantry Battalion of the 8th Armored Division. He was honorably discharged in October 1945, after 2½ years of service. Private First Class Pepe was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Ribbon, American Theater Ribbon, ETO Ribbon with three campaign stars, and the Good Conduct Ribbon.

His military service inspired a passion for veterans and historical preservation that persisted throughout his life. He was a life member of the American Legion Disabled American Veterans, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Catholic War Veterans. He attended 26 conventions of the 8th Armored Division Association; in 1984, he revisited the route of the 8th Armored across Europe in 1945; and he was named its National President in 1999.

After the war, he returned to Fordham and obtained his law degree. In 1951, he married Elizabeth Ann Gardella, who preceded him in death after 63 years of marriage. He practiced law in Ansonia for 66 years and served the City of Ansonia in many capacities. A parishioner of Holy Rosary Church, Mr Pepe served God and his parish as Lector, Eucharistic Minister, member of the Church Council, Pastoral Council, Archbishop Pastoral Council under Archbishop Whealon, and the Knights of Columbus.

Friends may call Thursday, July 12, from 4 to 7 pm, at the Jenkins King and Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin Street, Ansonia.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Friday, July 13, at 10 am, with friends asked to go directly to Holy Rosary Church, Father Salemi Drive, Ansonia. Burial with Military Honors rendered will follow at Mt Saint Peter's Cemetery, Derby.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gary Sinise Foundation at garysinisefoundation.org or to Priests for Life at priestsforlife.org.