Mourners say goodbye to Ed Pastor at bipartisan funeral service
Dec 7, 2018, 5:13 PM | Updated: 5:21 pm
Pallbearers carry the casket of former Democratic U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor into St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church for his funeral Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, in Phoenix. Pastor was Arizona's first Hispanic member of Congress, spending 23 years in Congress before retiring in 2014. He passed away last week at the age of 75. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
PHOENIX – Mourners from both sides of the political aisle said goodbye to Ed Pastor on Friday afternoon at a funeral befitting the bipartisan reputation he earned as a longtime U.S. congressman from Arizona.
Democratic House leader Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) eulogized Pastor during Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in central Phoenix.
Wife Verma and daughters Yvonne and Laura also delivered eulogies for Arizona’s first Hispanic congressman, who died at age 75 on Nov. 27 after suffering a heart attack.
Pelosi remembered Pastor as a lawmaker whose humor united people from both parties.
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“Everything he did, he was always making it more wonderful,” the California congresswoman said.
Kyl, who served in the Senate while Pastor was in the House, said the Democrat was humble but enormously effective.
“Let’s face it: It was hard to turn Ed down.” Kyl said. “Ed was always a champion for those who needed the representation the most.”
Pastor was remembered especially for his hard work bringing light rail service to Phoenix, which he believed would help low-income people in the southern part of the city he represented.
“For him, the light rail represented the opening of a new world to those who had no access,” said Laura Pastor, who followed him into politics to become a member of the Phoenix City Council.
“That was my dad at his best – a roll-up-your-sleeve kind of guy who was patient, understated and always himself,” she said.
Pastor and his wife would have celebrated 53 years of marriage later this month.
“Little did I know that when I said, ‘I do,’ a lifetime of adventure was about to begin,” Verma Pastor said.
After the ceremony, Democratic U.S. Congressman-elect Greg Stanton tweeted that Pelosi’s appearance was “classy and thoughtful.”
It was classy and thoughtful for Leader @NancyPelosi to come to Phoenix to eulogize Congressman Pastor. She said Ed was loved by all members of Congress, and he won friends (and votes) with “cigars and tequila.” He will be missed greatly in Arizona and Washington. pic.twitter.com/9KZfm3d7I4
— Greg Stanton (@gregstantonaz) December 8, 2018
Attendees included a significant contingent of the state’s Republican figures, including Gov. Doug Ducey.
Also among them was Cindy McCain, the widow of Sen. John McCain, Sen. Jeff Flake and Martha McSally, the U.S. congresswoman who lost to Democrat Kyrsten Sinema in the race to succeed Flake.
Farewell to a wonderful friend and colleague, former Congressman Ed Pastor. Arizona has been blessed for your service pic.twitter.com/Kxlc3ZPgq9
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) December 7, 2018
On our way to the service honoring the life of former Congressman Ed Pastor, Arizona's first Hispanic Member of Congress who served AZ with distinction. Continued prayers for his family. pic.twitter.com/Qcs9TiimWX
— Martha McSally (@RepMcSally) December 7, 2018
The service, which capped a weeklong celebration of Pastor’s life, began with a mariachi group singing “De Colores,” a popular Spanish-language folk anthem.
Privilege to be Honorary Pall Bearer for The Honorable Ed Pastor. Eulogies were by: The Honorable Nancy Pelosi, the Honorable Jon Kyle, Yvonne Pastor, Verma Pastor and Laura Pastor. AZ lost a Giant. Rest In Peace my friend! pic.twitter.com/ncX5htpoya
— Benito Almanza (@almanza_benito) December 7, 2018
His body lied in state at the Arizona State Capitol on Sunday. Another viewing that drew thousands of mourners was held Thursday evening at Saint Francis Xavier.
Pastor was born in Claypool, Arizona, a small mining town about 100 miles east of Phoenix.
His father worked in the copper mines, and Pastor was the first in his family to graduate from college, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Arizona State University.
He taught high school chemistry in Phoenix and later earned a law degree at ASU.
He joined the staff of former Gov. Raul Castro in the 1970s and made his first foray into elected office when he successfully ran for Maricopa County supervisor in 1976.
Pastor was elected to Congress in 1991. He served until he decided not to seek re-election in 2014.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
