Pasquale Lapomarda Jr December 21, 1943 July 15, 2016 Pasquale Lapomarda Jr., 72, of Hearthside Road Standish, died in the company of his family. Born December 21, 1943 at the former Maine Eye & Ear Infirmary in Portland, Maine to Pasquale Sr. and Mary (Bartholomew) Lapomarda of Portland, Pasquale spent his childhood years in the East Deering neighborhood of Portland, where his maternal grandfather, Erasmo Bartholomew had settled. Taking a page out of his grandfather's book, Pasquale took the initiative to open a variety store in the storefront attached to the family home at 164 Veranda St. Over time, he expanded the business, adding a pizzeria, and it was through these property improvements that he discovered his talents in construction. The culmination of these two entrepreneurial passions was the opening of the former Erasmo's restaurant at the corner of India and Commercial streets in Portland. He renovated the whole building and started the restaurant as the anchor tenant. Named in honor of his grandfather, it was fitting that the restaurant was a family endeavor. His wife, children, sisters, cousins, and close friends all kept it running and the clientele were like an extended family. In his later years, instead of cooking for people, he offered friends and family cooking lessons, which he advised would be recanted as chapters in his upcoming book: Recipes & Memories. Pasquale graduated from Cheverus High School in 1962 and was very proud to celebrate his golden graduation several years ago. After graduation, he completed a post-graduate year at North Yarmouth Academy and was drafted into the Army, serving in Vietnam. In 1971, he and his wife of 43 years, Gaye (McFarland) Lapomarda, were married at St. Mary's in Westbrook and resided in East Deering before moving to the Back Cove area of Portland, where they raised their son and two daughters. It is this area where he first held what became an annual tradition of hosting a large Independence Day celebration for friends and family. After a break for several years, family and friends gathered on July 3, 2016 at his new home on Sebago Lake to celebrate. While he could not attend, he was overjoyed in the turnout. Pasquale was a life-long golfer, having started caddying at the Portland Country Club at age 9. He fondly recalled how he earned his first dollar from one of the members who had them laminated into pads, so he could tear them off one-by-one as tips or wagers. Each Thursday, he could be found playing in the construction league at Riverside Golf course and, in his later years, each winter he would head south, eventually spending several winters in Lake Havasu, Arizona. In addition to golfing, he was instrumental in bringing to Maine the International Order of Alhambra, an organization committed to helping the developmentally disabled, as well as member of the American Legion. No matter where he was or with whom he found himself, his quick wit, love of life, and unique story-telling capability drew people to him, allowing him to almost effortlessly connect with both new acquaintances and life-long friends. Pasquale was a beloved and devoted husband, father, son, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, grandfather, cousin, and friend who was fiercely independent. He was predeceased by his father in 1967, mother in 2001, sister in 2015, and his wife in 2012. He is survived by his children and spouses Pasquale III and Shawn-Elise Lapomarda of Portland, Julie and Matthew Natale of Westbrook, and Sara Lapomarda of Dorchester, MA. He also leaves 3 grandchildren: Pasquale IV, Maddalena, and David; his sisters and brother: Virginia Lapomarda, who resided with him after the passing of his wife, Josephine Sgroi of Littleton, MA, and Rev. Vincent Lapomarda, S.J. of Worcester, MA; his brothers-in-law George Ethier of Cranston, RI and Terry McFarland, and his wife Carol of Westbrook; and his father-in-law, Harold (Johnny) McFarland of Gorham. His many nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, godchildren, and close friends also mourn his loss. Friends and family are invited to a period of visitation, which will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on July 21, 2016 at A.T. Hutchins Funeral and Cremation Services, 660 Brighton Ave., Portland. Rev. Vincent Lapomarda, S.J. will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on July 22, 2016 at St. Peter's Catholic Church, 72 Federal St., Portland. Internment at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland will immediately follow. The family would like to thank the very dedicated staff at Maine Medical Center that provided loving care for him. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations of service or finances be made to: Salvation Army 297 Cumberland Ave. Portland ME Sisters of the Precious Blood 166 State St. Portland, ME St. Perter's Roman Catholic Church 72 Federal St. Portland, ME Lapomarda Family Scholarship Cheverus High School 267 Ocean Ave. Portland, ME