Community gathers to pay tribute to Ed Pastor

Community leaders and students from Ed Pastor Elementary School gathered in San Luis to pay tribute to the late congressman Ed Pastor.

Pastor died Tuesday night after suffering from a heart attack at age 75.

A slide show presentation was given to students and the community that displayed Pastor’s commitment to the schools in San Luis, Ariz. Among the guests was Arizona State Democratic leader Charlene Fernandez, who saw Ed Pastor as a mentor. She recalls their last phone call, just a week prior to his passing.

“We became family. Many of us that worked with him, that stayed with him throughout. We kept in touch, I just talked to him last Wednesday, we chatted and laughed. He was full of advice for me. He helped me get to where I’m at today,” said Fernandez.

Others in the community like Dr. Ray Aguilera, who attended Arizona State University with Pastor, said he impacted the youth in the area.

“He has opened the doors [to] opportunities for us and as well as these kids and the ones he impact[ed] that are attending universities now,” said Dr. Aguilera.

Ed Pastor had plans to visit San Luis this winter and his last visit was back in February.