August T "Ted" Pace Jr

PACE AUGUST "TED"
Born in Pittsburgh, PA on May 11, 1924. Son of the late August and Louise Pace. Beloved husband of Carolyn (Stein) (Hillgartner). Father of August "Ted" III, Bernardo, Colleen, Carol Marie (June), and Beth Ann Tsai. Step-father of Dennis (Naomi) Hillgartner, Darla Sciubba, "Crusher" Danny Hillgartner (Danielle), and Dana (late Randy) Wans. Brother of Anthony (Lynn), Mary Lou Melcher, Gerald "Jerry," the late Joseph, Edward, Julius "Dodo," William, Ronald, Rowie Downs, Jean Cej. Also survived by 17 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-granddaughter as well as many nieces and nephews. August attended Mary J. Crowley, Latimer, and Allegheny High Schools. In WWII, he tried to join the U.S. Navy, but was rejected because of a heart murmur. He then joined the United States Merchant Marines (1943 – 1946), served in the engine department on army troop ships, crossing the Atlantic Ocean 9 times. Also served in the Pacific Ocean aboard T-2 tanker ships, as well as in the Mediterranean Sea. Past commander of the American Legion Post 760 in Bethel Park. Member of the Board of Directors at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall for 10 Years. Served 13 years on the committee to build WWII Memorial on the North Shore of Pittsburgh. Served on committee of advisory council, federation of war vets, society member of the Italian American Veterans in the U.S.A. Past president of the American Merchant Marines, Three Rivers Chapter. Started the South Hills Verteran Honor Guard with the late Cal Marque. Served as the coordinator for many years. Participated in over 3,000 Veteran Funerals at local cemeteries, and the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, his ID at the cemeteries was the "bugler with the pony tail. He was a restaurateur: Pace's Restaurant in Oakland (where August Wilson ate his lunch) , Pace's Coffee Shop Medical Arts Building, Circus Hotdog Shop in Oakland and Pittsburgh, Mona Lisa Restaurant in Brentwood, which could seat 400. Many famous people passed through this restaurant, including Robert "Bobby" Kennedy, Mario Lemieux, Bruno Sanmartino. He also had Andy Warhol's after funeral luncheon. He had three monuments placed at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies: United States Merchant Marine Veterans of WWII, Navy Seabees (in honor of my wife's father) and US Armed Guard of WWII. He also had four benches dedicated to the four merchant marine chapters in our area. He was bestowed France's highest distinction, the French Legion of Honor medal, for his contribution to France's liberation in WWII. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Merchant Marine Veterans, Three Rivers Chapter at PO Box 1095, MacMurray, PA 15317