It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of one helluva great man, the original and never to be forgotten Tony Pascarella. Tony passed to the New Old Stock repository of our dearly beloved on 19 March, 2023 after enduring and finally succumbing to cancer.
Tony was an early hero of mine in the old truck world as he was quick to respond with accurate information and devoid of ego. He was an ace mechanic not only with every generation of stovebolt engine and GMC, but Triumph motor cycles and probably any air pump that was excited by an ignition and fuel mixture. He was a delight to be around with a quick wit and keen listening skill. He wanted you to do well and succeed. I can’t tell how many times I called for advice that was freely given and without judgement. I recall a long thread here that had to do with his beloved wife Joy (or was it Tony) picking up a freshly dead Fox roadkill and Joy, desiring the pelt researching and gifting us with the story.
I met Tony and his wife Joy in '97 at an Inliner's Regional meet at the The Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs, PA. He and Joy were super people, full of fun and encouragement. He invited me to come up to the Western Massachusetts ATHS meet in '02 and it was great fun with great people. They saw my Virginia plates and treated me like a long lost brother. I've been meaning to call him and try to make plans to visit and now it's too late.
Oh yeah, that trip up to Massachusetts was close to six hundred miles one way and being the first long trip in my '49 I asked Tony what I should bring as far as parts. He asked a couple basic questions like the last oil change and tune up, greasing the zirks, etc. He then said, "Don't overthink it, Trust Your Truck". Whenever the guys I know that knew him would ask after him they would inquire, "How's Trust Your Truck Tony doing?"
RIP Tony, see you on the other side one day.
Last edited by Peggy M; 07/17/202312:47 AM. Reason: added date
~ Cosmo 1949 Chevy Half Ton Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities. "...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes "If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra "Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
Joy and Tony had been with Stovebolt from practically the birth of the site. Tony was a co-moderator for the Lounge. Joy was initially the "Siren of the Swap Meet" and then later a wonderful moderator for the Welcome Centre. Tony and Joy were such a wonderful team.
"All trucked up" was a perfect handle for them (actually Tony: alltruckedup; Joy: Joy ) as they had a great bunch of old trucks.
In 2012, Joy reported they decided to switch to something else.
"Well, we have sold our Chevy trucks and now we have two old Willys trucks instead. Tony has sold all his trucks too, but is now working on the old Willys jeep.We just got one about two weeks ago and have torn it all apart to work on it. I'm working out in the garage as much as ever." Here's the one; here's the other.
That last image in the listing was back in June 2004. Tony and Joy drove down from Webster, New Yak to visit Stovebolt Headquarters.
"The '51 made the 11-hour trip just fine."
It was a real pleasure to actually meet Tony and Joy after all these years we've known them through the site. It was super to have them for an extended stay. I had worked so much with Joy on the website on-line and over the phone, it was fun to do the other things outside. They sure enjoyed the farm and there was plenty to do and see, and places for the two old trucks to cruise and turn many heads!
Like Cosmo said, Tony had a gift to go above and beyond, meeting up with folks who needed help. A favorite comment of Joy's was: "... that 'New' old truck sound." I'm sure that was music to their ears ... and to the people they helped.
Another tag line of theirs: "We're all Bozo's on this bus."
Tony ... in the Passing Lane ... I imagine still wrenching away.
Last edited by Peggy M; 03/29/20233:28 PM. Reason: Added truck images
~ Peggy M 1949 Chevrolet 3804 "Charlie" - The Stovebolt Flagship In the Gallery "We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give." -- Winston Churchill
Tony is one of the first people I met "from the internet" when I got into this whole mess. One afternoon, either in Baltimore or Macungie, I took his 37 out for a spin. After a few moments of gentle driving, he said, "Come on SWEET, give this F#$%!$% truck something to squeal about" So after having some fun he had a large grin on his face then said; "If I were a few years younger, we'd be arrested......."
Trust your truck, a phrase I use often. Thank you Tony for the memories, I'll see you under the hood in the great shop upstairs.
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns..... 1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-Ton The GreenMachine In the Stovebolt Gallery
I remember meeting Tony on the computer through the SBP back in 2000...
Actually got to meet him in person at an ATHS Truck meet in Ft.Wayne Indiana back around 2006.
He was a true GearHead/HotRod/BikeBuilder guru & he did all of his own work..... { not one of those guys who writes checks & has someone else do the work }.
I'm the caretaker of Tony and Joy's '37, which I named the Deerslayer after Tony and Arlyn's wild ride thru the Pennsylvania countryside at the Macungie show in '07. Was at the '08 Hutchinson show when I saw he put it up for sale. I emailed him I would take it. I said I couldn't pick it up for four months but I could pay him now. He said no, just send a $500 deposit and he asked if I was planning to drive it from upstate New York to South Florida. I said yes and he replied he would get it ready for the trip. When I arrived in a rental car, he picked me up and I stayed overnight in the dreaded sock monkey room. Tony knocked $500 off his asking price but I declined and paid him in full. It was already a bargain. They sent me back to Florida with their tags and insurance. My GPS said my highest speed during the trip was 93 (mustuv' been passin' a semi). Deerslayer was my daily driver until I blew a head gasket at 80,000 miles.
Tony lost his long battle with the big "C". You can't beat the grim reaper but you can make the bastard work for it, and Tony did. There's a new hole in my soul where Tony used to be. Godspeed Tony.
Martin '62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress) '47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project) ‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily) ‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence) “I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one! Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop! USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Tony was a true vintage vehicle master, a well respected electrician, and well rounded man. And in the eyes of some of us younger guys at the time almost unapproachable. We had some good laughs in Baltimore, and at Macungie. He was always willing to help, and get his hands dirty or bloody. Neither didn't matter to him.
RIP Tony.
Edit by Peggy. Hope you don't mind Phil, I thought I'd add some names to the photo you provided. At least the names I know. Standing, from the left are: *you*, Tim Lederman, Tony P, skip next two, then Sweet in the green shirt. Glad you where able to find a picture. I could not find many. The days before good "camera phones."
Thanks for hunting up the photo!
Last edited by Peggy M; 03/30/20232:29 PM.
~ Phillip 1949 GMC Suburban - 10 year project 1952 Pontiac Chieftain Convertible straight 8 hydramatic 1945 GMC half ton truck - Driver- Sold 9-15-25 1946 Chevy COE - SOLD 1-5-26 BUH BYE CHEVY! 1959 GMC Half ton long bed NAPCO
) as they had a great bunch of old trucks. 
