ILION - Albert "Al" A. Pestar, age 67, of 9 Center St., Ilion, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, at St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Utica. He was born on May 18, 1945, in Herkimer, the son of Henry and Dorothy (Trask) Pestar and was a graduate of Ilion High School and Mohawk Valley Community College. Al was a Navy veteran who served in the Mediterranean and Vietnam. On January 21, 1967, he was married to Pamela A. Small in Ilion. After his military service, he worked at various technical jobs at the Remington Arms Co., Ilion, for forty-two years, retiring in 2009. He was a communicant at the Church of the Annunciation and life member of the Ilion-Frankfort VFW #502. This loving, gentle, and most beloved husband and father leaves behind his wife, Pamela Mary Small Pestar; his son, Albert Arthur II and his fiancée, Bekki Jowett; his daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Eric Wiegand; his daughter, Rachael Ann Pestar; his loved sisters and brothers, Janet and Jerry Orendorf, Barb Jones, Brad and Pat Upson, Robert and Linda Small, and Russell and Kathryn Small; special nieces and nephews; grandnieces and nephews; and also his very special Godchildren, Patrick and Catherine Hagerty-Mattern. Friends and relatives are invited to attend Al's Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, May 26, 2012, at 11:00 a.m., at the Church of the Annunciation, West St., Ilion, with Rev. Leo Potvin, officiating, assisted by Deacon James Bower. In keeping with Al's wishes, there will be no public calling hours. In Lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Herkimer Co. Humane Society, P.O. Box 73, Mohawk, NY 13407, in Al's name. The Pestar family has entrusted all funeral arrangements and supervision to Al's friend and family Funeral Director, Don Applegate at Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home, Ilion (895-7722).