Guy Pascale, a long-time resident of the West Loop community, died on Jan. 21. He was 81 years old.

Mr. Pascale was the husband of the late Pearl, who preceded him in death in June 2009. They were married for 59 years.

He was the father of Dan (Jeanette), Tom (the late Kathy), Debby and Diane; and grandfather of Matthew, Andrew, Sarah, Leslie, Timothy, Louis, and the late Rachel.

A native of Erie, PA, Mr. Pascale came to Chicago in 1959 to open the first Earl Scheib Auto Painting franchise in the area. The Earl Scheib franchisees earned a reputation for their kitchy phrase: “We’ll paint any car, any color for $29.95.”

Mr. Pascale soon wanted to be on his own and opened Guy’s Auto Rebuilders in 1962 in a small three-car alley shop behind Roosevelt Road and Miller Street. Earning a reputation in the community for doing a good job at a fair price, Mr. Pascale expanded his business and moved it to its present location on west Van Buren Street in 1974. There, he and his wife, Pearl, renovated the three-story building and became residents above the shop. Mr. Pascale kept active in his family’s business up until his passing.

“Dad was proud of the reputation we earned through Guy and Sons,” said his son Dan Pascale. Dan joined the family business in 1974 and Tom followed in 1978. They plan to “keep our father’s legacy alive by making sure that Guy and Sons Auto Rebuilders operates with the same high quality service that Dad extended to all our customers,” added Tom.

A pioneer of the Near West Side neighborhood north of the Eisenhower Expressway, which later was renamed the West Loop, Mr. Pascale became active in the business community and served as a member of the West Central Association since 1973.

He was an active parishioner at Old St. Patrick’s Church and supported the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.

“A special thanks to Father Jack Wall of Old St. Pat’s and Father Richard Fragomeni of the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii for their visits and for all those who cared and prayed for him,” recalled Tom Pascale. “And, for Jeannine Valentino who brought him carrot juice every week.”

A leukemia survivor, Mr. Pascale lost a battle with prostate cancer after years of beating the odds. “He will be remembered for his kindness and earned the nickname of ‘The Godfather’ to many and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him,” added Dan Pascale.

A memorial service was held at Plymouth Place in La Grange Park, IL. Memorial gifts can be made to the American Cancer Society.