Sopranos star Vincent Pastore seen celebrating 80th birthday with right-hand man weeks before death

Vincent Pastore celebrated his 80th birthday just weeks before his death, sharing a cake with his “right-hand man” — who remembered the “The Sopranos” star as a loyal friend who cared deeply for his community and causes close to his heart.Pastore, who was found dead at his Bronx home on Saturday, marked the milestone with a customized birthday cake, laughing as he blew out candles following the “Happy Birthday” song, longtime friend Stephen Villano told The Post.“This is totally shocking,” said Villano, who last spoke to Pastore on Thursday.“He was an amazing individual and he loved his craft… his craft was to Broadway, movies, television,”  Villano said.

Villano knew the actor for nearly three decades and described himself as Pastore’s “right-hand man,” first starting as his driver before developing a close friendship.Pastore lived alone and was not sick prior to his death, Villano said.

Police sources told The Post that the actor died of natural causes.“He was totally healthy.He was fine.

He just went for his yearly physical,” Villano said.Villano said Pastore “had a lot planned,” including different television shows, premieres as well as being a part of his old-rock music band, the “Gangster Squad,” where he would sing and play the tambourine.“I did everything with Vinny.

I drove him to places.I took him to his doctor appointment, I sat with him on shows.

I traveled with him,” the grieving pal told The Post.“He was a good man.I will miss him a lot,” Villano said while holding back tears. On Saturday evening, friends, neighbors and actor and stuntman Chuck Zito, gathered at Pastore’s home of 30 years to remember the actor who was known for playing mobster characters in a slew of film and TV roles.While many may assume the “Big Pussy” actor was like the characters he portrayed, Villano said Pastore was anything but a gangster in real life. “He said, ‘I’m an actor.

I play a character.’ So peop...