Gregory Pagano, age 69 years, of Readington Township, NJ, died suddenly on Sunday, March 19, 2023, surrounded by his cherished family at Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.

Greg was born on January 6, 1954, in Elizabeth, NJ, son of the late Edmond and Theresa Pagano, and had resided in Readington Township in his family home for more than fifty-nine years.

Meeting the love of his life, Marie Lizzi Pagano in 1973, at the Circle Diner, they were married on August 9, 1975, at St. Magdalen Church on Park Avenue in Flemington, NJ. Throughout the years, they were blessed with five children who continued to bless them with ten beautiful grandchildren.

Greg faithfully and honorably served his country as a member of the United States Army for four years from 1975 to 1979. The first two years he was assigned to A Troop, 1st Squadron, 9th Calvary, 1st Calvary Division as a Sheridan Tank Commander with the rank of Sergeant. For his final two years Greg was assigned to the Department of the Army Three Corps and Fort Hood PNCOCA Combat Academy as an instructor, training soldiers to be combat leaders. After his honorable discharge, he would then serve an additional two years in the United States Army Reserves.

A hard and diligent worker, Greg started his own clean-up and sanitation business in 1984. This initial business venture would flourish into a demolition business, which became a true family business as Greg partnered with his eldest son, Mike, for the last twenty-three years. This level of family involvement allowed him to work side by side with his sons and sons-in-law each day. They will proudly continue to uphold the traditions and values that Greg instilled in each of them as they work hard to serve their customers with the same level of devotion and humor that Greg put forth daily.

A loving and committed husband, father, and grandfather, Greg cherished being with his family for Sunday dinners and would look at them with so much love and pride. There was nothing that he would not brag about when it came to his children and grandchildren, and if you knew Greg, you knew everything about his family. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan at sporting events and graduations, and everyone knew what a proud “Pop-Pop” he was. He was also the voice of reason and wisdom that all of his children turned to for anything and everything. Simply put, all that he did in life was for his family and he put them first in all situations.

Though his life ended sooner than anyone imagined, Greg would want everyone to be comforted knowing that he is in heaven with his daughter, Theresa, and all those who have gone before. In the Gospel of Matthew, commonly known as the Beatitudes, we hear these words: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the clean in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Greg, enjoy the rewards that you have truly earned in the kingdom of heaven.

In addition to his parents, Greg was preceded in death by his loving daughter, Theresa, and his sister, Patty.

Surviving are his wife, Marie Pagano; his children and their spouses, Mike Pagano and his wife, Jennifer, Tina Tsopelas and her husband, Steven, Mary Voorhees and her husband, Mark, and Tony Pagano and his wife, Samantha; his grandchildren, Vanessa, Nichole, Anna, Nicholas, Franco, Enzo, Nina, Bazil, Vincent, and Giovanni; several nieces; nephews; cousins; several extended family; and many dear friends.

Greg will lie in repose on Thursday, March 23, 2023, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Anthony Sirianni will take place on Friday, March 24, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Church, 316 Old Allerton Road, Annandale, NJ, under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Friday morning beginning at 9:45 a.m. Please follow the instructions of Wright & Ford Family Care Team Family Ambassadors upon arrival.

Burial next to his beloved daughter will follow the mass at Prospect Hill Cemetery, 69 Capner Street, Flemington, NJ. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to go to the cemetery, but please do not go ahead and stay in the procession to the cemetery.

You are encouraged to visit Greg’s permanent life celebration site at www.wrightfamily.com to light a candle of hope, leave messages of condolence, share words of comfort and recollection, and post photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the ‘Theresa Pagano Fund”, which is a grassroots organization that helps those in need. The fund was created by Marie and Greg to honor the life and memory of their beloved Theresa, and 100% of the proceeds go to help local individuals and families in need. Donations can be mailed to the funeral home c/0 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ 08822.

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Wright & Ford, your local, family owned & operated “Life Celebration Home”

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