The Bronx is mourning Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for playing mobster Salvatore Bonpensiero — Tony Soprano’s best friend turned FBI informant — on HBO’s “The Sopranos.” Pastore died at 80 at his City Island home Saturday, and tributes are pouring in from friends and com munity members who remembered his local ties. A representative for Pastore said he was found by friends. Jerome “Gino” Raguso, the owner of Gino’s Pastry Shop and Cafe in The Bronx’s Little Italy said he is grieving the loss of Pastore, whom he described as a friend of 30 years. “It’s just, it’s heartbreaking. It is.” Raguso said Pastore stayed connected to the community and the people in it. “He never forgot his roots, never did. And he never forgot his friends.” Pastore was known for roles in dramas centered around organized crime, with fans saying he brought authenticity to his performances. “A hundred percent. A hundred percent dude. Come on, you see a big guy walk in,” one fan recalled to NBC New York. “He’s all suited up with the pinky ring. He’s good. He got you.” Adam Levin of Jericho said of Pastore’s Sopranos role, “I think his character, they all portrayed themselves with what you would expect to be from that type of show or movie.” When he wasn’t performing, Pastore — who was born in The Bronx and grew up in New Rochelle — was remembered as a charismatic figure by people in City Island, where pictures hang in a storefront. Mike’s Deli on Arthur Avenue was among Pastore’s go-to spots. “He’s like a lot of Italians, you know what I mean? You give him whatever cheese, whatever, cured meat, the guy, you know, will be happy with.” Raguso added that Pastore loved a good cannoli, and he said their friendship meant the most. “They say ‘leave the gun, take the cannoli.’ They took Vinny. And it’s sad, it really is,” he added, borrowing a phrase from the classic mafia movie “The Godfather.” Pastore’s longtime manager told NBC News he will miss the actor’s friendship, loyalty, humor and generosity, adding, “May his memory be a blessing.” This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC New York. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC New York journalist edited the article for publication. ...read more read less