Anthony Pusateri

Anthony Joseph Pusateri, age 77, passed away in his sleep early in the morning of December 31, in the hospital, following a recent illness. Anthony was a longstanding member of the I.A.T.S.E Local 51 (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees) where he had a 50-year career and remained an active and proud member until his death. He resided in Westbury with his wife Kathy of 52 years.

A native and lifelong Houstonian, Anthony was born on April 19, 1943 to Mary Tomasino Pusateri and Joseph Pius Pusateri. He and his siblings, Frank, Josie and Rosalie, grew up in a large Italian-American community in Montrose where his grandparents, aunts and cousins also lived.

As a teenager, Anthony worked for River Oaks Theatre where he met his future wife, Kathy Cleary Pusateri. She was 14 and already good friends with his sister Rosalie. In 1968, Anthony and Kathy were married, and had two sons, Mark Anthony and John Joseph.  Anthony managed the Northshore, Village and Alabama theaters.

Anthony’s early interest in the theatre landed him a lifelong career as a stagehand where he managed props, lights/sound and set construction. He began his career working concerts, entertainment venues and tradeshows and evolved into fine art venues such as Broadway shows and Theatre Under the Stars and eventually, his passions: The Houston Grand Opera, The Houston Symphony and The Houston Ballet.

Anthony loved cats, history, the arts, golf, autobiographies and movies. He liked The Godfather Trilogy, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Da Vinci Code as well as a host of offbeat, quirky titles. He especially enjoyed reminiscing about the old days – and spending holidays with family where they dined on Sicilian food, visited long hours while snacking on fig cookies, played cards and sipped coffee, eggnog and Amaretto.

He is survived by his wife Kathy, son Mark of Corpus Christi; son John and daughter-in-law Laura of Houston; granddaughter Emily Grace Pusateri of Houston; sister Rosalie Pusateri Candela and brother-in-law Nick Paul Candela. Anthony was uncle to numerous nieces and nephews: Joe Pusateri, Paula Pusateri Bumpus; Frank Pusateri, Jr., Michael Pusateri; Antoinette “Toni” Loverdi; the late Mary Anne Loverdi; Vincent, Jr. Loverdi; Jennifer Alvarez Candela; Mary Nichole “Nikki” Candela England; John Michael Cleary and Ben Cleary. Anthony also had a host of first, second and third cousins and was a “great uncle” to numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Pusateri and Tomasino grandparents, parents Mary and Joe Pusateri; brother Frank Pusateri, sister Josie Pusateri Loverdi, mother-in-law Pat Knobles and brother-in-law John Cleary – all of Houston – as well as his father-in-law Jack Cleary of Wisconsin. Known for his compassion, hard work and offbeat sense of humor, Anthony will be missed, but always remembered by his family, friends, union brothers and sisters and everyone who knew him.

A memorial service will be planned for late January or early February pending COVID requirements. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association or Special Pals of Houston.