By Alex Robinson
Pastor “Pat” Toro, a decorated Forest Hills war veteran and the former president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 32 in Queens, has lost his battle with Myelodysplastic syndrome.
Toro, 65, died Thursday morning at St. Francis Hospital after going through months of chemotherapy for his malady, a precursor to leukemia, which relatives said was brought on by Agent Orange exposure during his tour in Vietnam with the U.S. Marine Corp.
After he returned from Vietnam, Toro worked for the NYPD and Port Authority Police Department before retiring in 1991.
Toro was inducted into the state Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in 2006.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
