Jim Pagano (98) passed away peacefully at home on May 25, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born to Luigi and Carmela (Finelli) Pagano on July 9, 1923. Jim was a jovial and gregarious man who fit perfectly into a tight-knit Italian family in Rutherford. He had 10 siblings and the camaraderie experienced amongst his friends growing up made it seem as though he had 100 siblings. He was a proud graduate of Swatara High School and it was there where he offered to carry home Mary Ricci's books for her. That was the moment that sparked a love story that lasted until her passing in 2019 on their 73rd anniversary. Jim was proud to serve his Country from 1943-1946 in the US Navy during WWII and quickly returned home to marry his bride and begin their family. Jim was a proud veteran and enjoyed telling stories about being stationed in England. Taking advantage of schooling after WWII, Jim was a machinist at W.O.Hickock, Bethlehem Steel (14 years), AMP Inc. (24 years) from where he retired in 1986. Family was his world and he moved mountains to be present to celebrate birthdays, graduations, and weddings while also being present for small moments to include watching and playing baseball, cornhole, bocce ball or horseshoe, hunting trips, drives to Italian Lake, teaching his children and grandchildren to drive, chats on the back porch watching the birds, grilling burgers for cookouts, playing practical jokes on everyone and of course attending any event involving watermelon and donuts - his favorite treats! He was the life of every gathering and he was known for always wearing a smile and having the most sincere thank you to share to his children who were his daily caregivers. A very special thank you to his Homeland Hospice at Home caregivers: Amy, Chaz, Bryan and Danielle. Jim had profound faith and was a founding member of Saint Catherine Laboure' Parish. He enjoyed a life of service and was a Head Usher at Church for over 50 years, served at Eucharistic Adoration for 15 years and enjoyed the Coffee Club too because it was social and he loved chatting with the members of his community. He was an engaging conversationalist and knew everyone in his town and his church community.When recently asked about his next goal in life he responded, "Heaven with a cup of coffee and a donut!" Jim found meaningful work through service and his community. Whether he helped out with woodworking projects for Rudy Dinnini or supported his brother-in-law, Justin Ricci in his construction business, He embraced hard work and even built his own home and resided there for his entire life. To Jim's Rutherford community, he was the man to call to supervise a project, to share gardening tips, the one who had a story to relate to every situation you were going through and even the one who even volunteered with Meals on Wheels. He was an altruistic soul and everyone in Rutherford knew it. Many referred to him as the "Mayor of Rutherford" and his smile lit up the room when he was referred to as Mayor because his Rutherford pride ran deep and he surely earned those votes! Jim served on Swatara High School's reunion committee and was the instructor for the youth safety program at Hunter's and Angler's Club. He was a founding member of Rutherford's Lions Club and was a lifelong member of Rutherford Fire Company. He also was a member of the VFW Post 1213 and the AMP Nimrods. Aside from service, Jim loved his hobbies which included gardening, hunting at his cabin in Arnot, listening to big band tunes and of course his NY Yankees. He is survived by his sisters, Ann Lovendusky and Janet Parr, his children, Carol (Paul) Wambach, Elizabeth (James) Curran, James M. Pagano and Michael (Rebecca) Pagano along with grandchildren, Kristin Wambach, Kara (Kelly) McClain, Patrick (Amy) Curran, Michael (Jessica) Curran, Matthew (Kelly) Curran, Bradley (Laura) Curran, Jason (Nicole) Pagano, Vincent (Michelle) Pagano, Kevin Pagano (fiancé, Margot Berger) and Katie Pagano (deceased) and great-grandchildren, Hayden Allison, Maxwell and Elliott McClain, Liam, Molly, Samuel, Bennett, Ellianna, Poppy and Levi Curran, Kora (deceased) and Coleson Pagano. A viewing will be held at St Catherine Laboure' Church, 4000 Derry Street, Harrisburg, (MASKS APPRECIATED) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on June 2, followed immediately with a funeral Mass and Internment in Resurrection Cemetery resting beside his darling Mary. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Catherine Laboure' Church 4000 Derry St, Harrisburg 17111 or Homeland Hospice, 2300 Vartan Way, Harrisburg 17110.
