For Patrick “Pat” Falletta, funeral directing is a calling and music is a passion.

Pat has been with Gutterman’s for more than 47 years, working with families in New York and Florida. A licensed funeral director and a member of the executive management team for Gutterman’s northeast division, Pat thought he was headed to medical school before a death in the family introduced him to his chosen career. He’s always been a “people person,” and is grateful every day that he gets to spend his working hours helping people in difficult times. He understands that the work he does is part of the healing process, and he takes great care to listen carefully and use his experience to ease the burdens of those who have lost a loved one.  His greatest satisfaction in the funeral business comes when grieving families tell him they “forgot why we were here.”

Pat has enjoyed a rich life outside of the funeral home business as well. An accomplished guitarist and musician, Pat has opened for many well-known musical acts, from Ruby and the Romantics and the Rascals to Jay and the Americans, Jackie Wilson, Kathy Mattea, and the Brooklyn Dreams…too many to mention. He’s currently a senior partner in two gold and multi-platinum music publishing companies with his partner Barry Bergman —Ellymax Music and Wood Monkey Music. His companies have published hit songs recorded by Michael Bolton, Cher, Joan Jett, AC/DC and KISS, amongst many others. Pat and Barry’s publishing company received a Juno award (Canadian Grammy) for Kevan Jordan’s CD.

In his younger days, Pat owned and taught dancing at Brooklyn Hustle, a studio regularly broadcast on the popular Soul Aliveprogram on WPIX (Channel 11). He’s also appeared in movies (A Lovely Way to Die, with Kirk Douglas and Eli Wallach) and televisions commercials, including one featuring Loretta Swit (MASH).

In recent years, Pat put together a concert series entitled “Enjoy The Show,” sponsored by Gutterman’s & Gutterman Warheit where they visit senior centers and assisted living communities. Pat books musical groups to treat the residents to concerts and then raffles off a flat-screen TV.   He is also Past Assistance Chief Deputy Grand Chancellor of the State of New York for the Knights of Pythias and he is also Chancellor Commander of his Pythian Lodge.

Pat Falletta has truly mastered the art of aging!