Longtime TribLive Advertising Sales Manager Gus Naccarato is being recalled as a humble people-person and loyal friend who loved good conversation.

Naccarato, 68, of Lower Burrell died Monday after a brief illness. A cause of death was not immediately available.

“Working at the Valley News was a great job for Gusty,” said his sister, Julie Cook.

“He loved meeting people.”

Born and raised in Arnold, Naccarato never traveled far from his hometown. He graduated from Valley High School and earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Clarion University, where he was president of Theta Chi Fraternity.

He joined the Valley News Dispatch in 1997. He retired from the company in 2016.

“Gus could light up a room with his smile and infectious laughter,” said Jennifer Bertetto, TribLive president and CEO.

“He was a true friend, always there with a listening ear and a helping hand.”

Bertetto said working with Naccarato wasn’t just about the job, it was about the camaraderie.

“He made every day an adventure, and his friendship will be a lasting gift,” she said.

Naccarato lived a simple life post-retirement, his sister said.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and trips to visit family in Georgia, Birmingham and Boston. Otherwise, you could find him at Mogie’s restaurant in Lower Burrell.

“For about 10 years, he never missed a day,” server Kelly Toney said. “He was my regular customer and everyone knew him.”

Toney said Naccarato ordered a meal and his usual drink - a Bud Light draft in a plastic cup — every day.

“He was very friendly and everyone knew which seat was his,” she said. “If someone was in his seat when he came in, they would move.”

Cook visited the restaurant Tuesday and was touched to see a beer at the bar in honor of her brother.

“It was just nice to be around people who knew him,” she said. “One thing about Gusty, if you were friends with him, you were a friend for life.

“The people who were our neighbors growing up in Arnold were still his best friends.”

Visitation is scheduled from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at Giunta-Bertucci Funeral Home in Arnold.

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