Anthony & Patricia Pieratozzi

Anthony and Patricia Pierantozzi’s induction into the Crossmen Hall of Fame recognizes their extraordinary volunteer service, generosity, and unwavering commitment to the corps during some of the most important and challenging years in Crossmen history.

Affectionately known throughout the Crossmen family as “Pat and Tozzi,” Anthony and Patricia were part of the organization from 1977 through 1988. Their connection to drum corps began long before their time with the Crossmen. Tony and Pat met while marching together in drum corps in the late 1950s and early 1960s, beginning a lifelong relationship rooted in the activity. Years later, their children brought them back to drum corps, first through the Crossmen feeder corps, the Iron Cross, and eventually through the Crossmen themselves.

In the early years of the Iron Cross, Pat gave tirelessly of her time and talent. She taught young members how to play the bugle, read music, and march. Her work helped introduce a new generation of young people to the activity and prepared many of them for their future in the Crossmen. But Pat’s service did not stop with instruction. She chaperoned, sewed uniforms and flags from scratch, handled alterations, and even drove the bus.

Tony was equally committed. He spent countless hours and weekends traveling with the corps, driving the bus and equipment truck, assisting with fundraisers, chaperoning members, and helping wherever he was needed. Together, Tony and Pat became the kind of volunteer team every corps depends on: dependable, hardworking, generous, and fully invested in the success and well-being of the members.

When their children moved on to the Crossmen in 1980, Tony and Pat continued their service at an even greater level. Pat dedicated her time to sewing uniforms and flags, creating props, running the souvenir wagon, working on the food truck, and filling in wherever help was needed. Tony spent parts of each summer driving buses and the equipment truck. When the corps purchased its first 18-wheeler, Tony was thrilled to finally put his CDL to use in service of the Crossmen.

Their volunteerism touched nearly every part of the organization. They worked bingo games, helped run beef and beers, sold raffle tickets, hoagies, and candy bars, and supported nearly every major fundraising effort. They were present at weekend camps, collecting dues and helping feed meals to the members. They helped renovate Crossmen Hall in West Chester, donated their own hard-earned money, opened their home to out-of-state members each summer, stored the equipment truck at their business, and drove members to and from bus stations, airports, and Boeing Beach.

While every one of those contributions mattered, Tony and Pat’s most significant impact came during the critical years of 1985 and 1986. At that time, the Crossmen were on the verge of extinction. Hope was fading, resources were limited, and the future of the corps was uncertain. Tony and Pat never gave up. They worked tirelessly to support the administration, raise money, care for the members, and keep the Crossmen dream alive.

The Crossmen have faced many difficult moments throughout their history, but the mid-1980s were among the most crucial. Without the dedication of people like Tony and Pat Pierantozzi, the corps may not have survived. Their faith in the organization, their willingness to sacrifice, and their refusal to walk away helped carry the Crossmen through one of its darkest chapters.

Pat and Tozzi represent the very best of Crossmen volunteerism. They gave their time, their talents, their home, their business, their resources, and their hearts. They served as teachers, drivers, chaperones, cooks, fundraisers, seamstresses, builders, hosts, supporters, and caretakers. More than anything, they believed in the young people of the corps and in the future of the Crossmen.

For their years of tireless service to the Iron Cross and the Crossmen, their leadership as volunteers, their generosity during times of great need, their role in helping the corps survive the challenges of the mid-1980s, and their lasting example of love and dedication, we proudly honor Anthony and Patricia “Pat and Tozzi” Pierantozzi as members of the Crossmen Hall of Fame Class of 2019.