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TARRYTOWN, N.Y. - Patrick Daniel Pilla, the former Mayor of Tarrytown, died Nov. 18, surrounded by his family. He was 81.
Active in local politics since 1972, Pilla was elected mayor of Tarrytown in 1975 and served until 1983. While in office, he instituted the position of Village Administrator in Tarrytown.
Born in North Tarrytown on Mar. 27, 1930, he was the son of Margaret and Dominick Pilla. In 1948, he graduated from the former North Tarrytown High School, where he was an all-star and all-county football and basketball player. He went on to attend Lehigh University.
On Oct. 17, 1953, he married the former Eileen Downing. Pilla spent four years as a Staff Sgt. in the Air Force, one of which was on active duty in Seoul, South Korea. In 1959, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Iona College with a business degree in accounting. Pilla began his career at Price Waterhouse and eventually set up his own accounting practice in Tarrytown.
Starting as a Tarrytown Trustee in his political career, he was elected Councilman of the Town of Greenburgh after serving as Tarrytown mayor. He served his council post through 1993. His many local community memberships include: Kiwanis Club, Dad's Club, Tarrytown Volunteer Ambulance Corp, Hope Hose Fire Company and Sleepy Hollow Chamber of Commerce.
An usher at Transfiguration Church, Pilla served as a past Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club, director at YMCA, chairman of the Tarrytown Centennial Para Committee and an annual participant in the United Fund Drive.
Pilla was said to have had a zest for life. He enjoyed playing golf and competitive bridge games, engaging in political discussions, going on Friday night dinner excursions and watching any sport he could find on TV.
He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eileen, his brother Edmund (Phyllis) Pilla and many nieces, nephews and relatives. Pilla was predeceased by his only child, Matthew, on Sep. 13, 1978.
The family will receive friends on Monday, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Tuesday, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at Coffey Funeral Home in Tarrytown. The funeral mass will take place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday at Transfiguration Church in Tarrytown, followed by interment at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Rosary Hill Home, 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10532.
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