Edison High School alum Robert Pastorelli, 49, found dead in L.A.
BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE
Staff Writer
EDISON — The death last week of actor Robert Pastorelli — best known for his role as Eldin "the housepainter" Berneckey on the 1990s sitcom Murphy Brown — sparked a wave of sadness in arts communities spanning from coast to coast.
On the East Coast, where Pastorelli grew up, the loss in his hometown of Edison was an irreplaceable one to a grateful arts community he strove to revive.
Though Pastorelli, 49, died of unexplained causes at his home in Los Angeles March 10, Edison remained home in his heart, said Mayor George Spadoro.
And, Pastorelli demonstrated his dedication to a home he remembered as "sweet home" in the past 10 years by spearheading the township’s arts society through an arts summit in 1996 and thereafter helping in any way he could to keep arts endeavors going strong in his home back east.
Calling Pastorelli a friend of his and Edison’s, Spadoro said what was special about Pastorelli, as opposed to other celebrities, is that he "he never forgot his roots."
"When I first became mayor in 1994 and wanted to organize this arts advocacy group, I heard that Bob was an Edison boy. I reached out to him and unlike many famous people who will send a check and you never see their face, Bob said, ‘You can count on me.’
"He was really genuine about giving back to the community in which he grew up. He meant it. Not only did he dedicate himself to our cause, he always visited his old blue-collar friends when he was here. He never forgot where he came from and always appreciated it," the mayor said.
Spadoro met Pastorelli in person in 1995 and they talked about what needed to be done to ignite the arts community in town.
Pastorelli agreed that an arts summit would be a good springboard to motivate arts enthusiasts whose interests lay dormant for too long. So, he flew out to Edison in 1996 to be the keynote speaker at the summit.
His message in that inaugural speech was one that will endure, Spadoro said.
"He spoke of why it is so important to have an arts consciousness in Edison," the mayor added. "He pointed out that all major cities have it and Edison should include itself in that arena."
Pastorelli’s heartfelt motivation to revive the arts community in the town where he grew up manifested in a true friendship with Spadoro, according to the mayor.
"I got to know him and his family, and we even visited one another," Spadoro said. "His parents lived in Edison at the time. I even went to Los Angeles for a New Year’s party one year. He was very genuine. My heart really goes out to his other friends and family."
Pastorelli left behind a 6-year-old daughter. The mother of that child, with whom he lived in Los Angeles, Charemon Jonovich, died in 1999 as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the home where the couple lived and Pastorelli was also found dead last week.
While Pastorelli’s brushes with tragedy before his death, such as his girlfriend’s death and a near fatal car accident when he was 19, kept him humble, Spadoro said.
However, his sense of appreciation for his good fortune was something he spread generously, he added, but never without a dull moment.
One of Spadoro’s favorite memories of Pastorelli, was when he came to light the township’s Christmas tree a few years ago.
While Spadoro could not remember the year, he never forgot the moment.
"His daughter was on the podium with me and him [Pastorelli]," Spadoro said. "She was about 2 or so at the time, the age when kids are just getting off diapers. We were all ready to start. All these people, about 500, were waiting, and his daughter starts tugging at him saying she has to go to the bathroom. He had to leave and take her to the bathroom.
"I was standing there not knowing what to do. What was he going to do but take her? That was just typical of him. No pretense. His kid had to go, so he had to go with her."
Pastorelli was an honorary member of the Edison Arts Society along with Spadoro and actress Susan Sarandon, who was Susan Tomalin when she was in high school in Edison. Pastorelli also counts Edison High School as his alma mater.
After a few struggles, Pastorelli went on to earn several television and movie credits. Films he was featured in included "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Dances With Wolves" and most recently, "Be Cool," a sequel to "Get," which will be released in 2005.
Other than Murphy Brown, his television credits include "Double Rush," "Cracker" and the TV version of "South Pacific."
"I can only think of good things to say about him," Spadoro said. "I hope … people remember him for those good things. I know I will as will Edison’s arts lovers."