Anthony and Patricia Pierantozzi
Anthony and Patricia Pierantozzi were volunteers with the Crossmen organization from 1977 to 1988. Tony and Pat met while marching together in drum corps in the late fifties and early sixties. Eventually their children would bring them both back to the activity as volunteers. At first with the Crossmen feeder corps, the Iron Cross and then a few years later when their children were old enough, with the Crossmen.
In the early years of the Iron Cross, Pat worked tirelessly, teaching the young ones to play the bugle, to read music and to march. In addition to offering her instruction, she chaperoned, sewed uniforms and flags from scratch, did alterations and even drove the bus for the corps! Tony spent many hours and weekends travelling with the corps, driving the bus and equipment truck, assisting at fundraisers and chaperoning the kids.
After their kids moved on to the Crossmen in 1980, Tony’s and Pat’s volunteerism continued. No longer instructing, Pat dedicated her time to sewing uniforms and flags, and to making props. She toured with the corps each summer running the souvenir wagon, working on the food truck, and filling in wherever help was needed. Tony also dedicated part of each summer to driving busses or the equipment truck. In fact, when the corps purchased their first 18-wheeler, Tony was thrilled at the opportunity to finally use his CDL!!
Pat’s and Tony’s volunteerism included working bingos, helping run beef and beers, and selling raffle tickets, hoagies and candy bars. They were at just about every weekend camp collecting dues and feeding meals to the members. They worked on renovating the Crossmen Hall in West Chester, donated their hard earned money to the corps, opened their home to the
out-of-state kids each summer, stored the equipment truck at their business and drove kids back and forth to bus stations, airports and Boeing Beach.
While all of this is important, the most significant impact they had on the
Crossmen was during the years of 1985 and 86. With almost all hope gone, the corps was on the verge of extinction. They worked tirelessly to help support the administration, to raise money and to help keep the Crossmen dream alive. While there have been other bumps in the road throughout the corps’ long history, these were crucial years. Without the support of individuals like Tony and Pat, the Crossmen would not have survived. They never gave up the faith!
Affectionately known to the Crossmen Family as "Pat and Tozzi", this unforgettable team in Crossmen lore has set the standard to which all volunteers should be measured.
In the early years of the Iron Cross, Pat worked tirelessly, teaching the young ones to play the bugle, to read music and to march. In addition to offering her instruction, she chaperoned, sewed uniforms and flags from scratch, did alterations and even drove the bus for the corps! Tony spent many hours and weekends travelling with the corps, driving the bus and equipment truck, assisting at fundraisers and chaperoning the kids.
After their kids moved on to the Crossmen in 1980, Tony’s and Pat’s volunteerism continued. No longer instructing, Pat dedicated her time to sewing uniforms and flags, and to making props. She toured with the corps each summer running the souvenir wagon, working on the food truck, and filling in wherever help was needed. Tony also dedicated part of each summer to driving busses or the equipment truck. In fact, when the corps purchased their first 18-wheeler, Tony was thrilled at the opportunity to finally use his CDL!!
Pat’s and Tony’s volunteerism included working bingos, helping run beef and beers, and selling raffle tickets, hoagies and candy bars. They were at just about every weekend camp collecting dues and feeding meals to the members. They worked on renovating the Crossmen Hall in West Chester, donated their hard earned money to the corps, opened their home to the
out-of-state kids each summer, stored the equipment truck at their business and drove kids back and forth to bus stations, airports and Boeing Beach.
While all of this is important, the most significant impact they had on the
Crossmen was during the years of 1985 and 86. With almost all hope gone, the corps was on the verge of extinction. They worked tirelessly to help support the administration, to raise money and to help keep the Crossmen dream alive. While there have been other bumps in the road throughout the corps’ long history, these were crucial years. Without the support of individuals like Tony and Pat, the Crossmen would not have survived. They never gave up the faith!
Affectionately known to the Crossmen Family as "Pat and Tozzi", this unforgettable team in Crossmen lore has set the standard to which all volunteers should be measured.
