Frank Pastore (Hand in Photo)
Christian radio show host and former Major League Baseball pitcher Frank Pastore died Monday from complications following a November motorcycle accident.The death came nearly a month after the Nov. 19 crash on the Foothill (210) Freeway in Duarte. The accident occurred as Pastore was on his way home from his daily radio show at the studios of KKLA 99.5 FM in Glendale.
Officials at KKLA, which announced Pastore's passing on its website, could not be reached for comment late Monday.
A brief and prophetic audio clip from Pastore's final show accompanied the death notice.
?You guys know I ride a motorcycle, right? So at any moment ... I could be spread all over the 210,? Pastore said. ?But that's not me. That's my body parts.?
Pastore said that his faith in Christ left him with no doubts his soul would live on after physical death.
?I just lost my beautiful husband,? Pastore's wife Gina said. ?But it's comforting to know he's home with the Lord now.?
Gina didn't mourn alone Monday. KKLA was inundated with callers expressing their grief.
?People are calling in and crying and mourning with us,? she said. ?I want to thank so many people for their outpouring of love and support. ?That's really helped to sustain our family during this difficult time.?
Condolences and tributes also flooded the Internet in the hours after news
of Pastore's death broke.Among those acknowledging the passing was national radio and television personality Hugh Hewitt.
?My friend and radio colleague Frank Pastore has died,? Hewitt posted in his Twitter account. ?He was a terrific man, a great broadcaster and a wonderful husband and dad, RIP.?
On his Facebook page, BIOLA University President Barry Correy remarked that, ?Frank Pastore had a heart for the Gospel and understood in the deepest ways the profound impact of a Christian worldview not only on our lives and on our educational institutions, but on our culture.?
?He was a voice of reason and of engagement, and he was able to articulate with clarity and listen with sensitivity. As a ?94 graduate of BIOLA's M.A. in philosophy program, we considered Frank part of our family. He will be profoundly missed, not only by BIOLA, but by countless others who depended on him day in and day out to help them think clearly and Christianly about the big issues of the day.?
Pastore had been in a coma since the accident and had been recently transferred to a hospital in Upland from Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center's intensive care unit, hospital spokeswoman Rosa Saca said.
A CHP investigation concluded that the crash was an accident, and nothing criminal such as impaired driving was suspected, CHP Officer William Bury said. The driver who hit Pastore was neither arrested nor cited.
On KKLA's website, the radio station asked listeners to ?Please continue to pray for Gina and the family.?
In addition to his wife, Pastore is survived by son Frank Jr. and daughter Christina.
The 55-year-old Upland resident, who played baseball at Damien High School in La Verne, graduated from BIOLA University in La Mirada in 1994 and from Claremont Graduate School in 2003.
Funeral services are pending.
?Frank was all about the Gospel,? Gina Pastore added. ?I just pray God will continue to use his legacy.?
brian.day@sgvn.com
626-544-0812
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