Vincent J. Pagan

Vincent (Vinny) Joseph Pagan, died peacefully on August 29, 2024, surrounded by loved ones at AdventHealth in Orange City, Florida. He fought a brave fight for many years against debilitating mental illness and a deteriorating brain injury. Ultimately, he lost his battle. Despite finding some recent stability in his life with a new job and a growing support network through his church, he unexpectedly and devastatingly was overcome by his illness. A man’s life should not be defined by the way he died but rather by the way he lived.

Vinny was born in Mount Vernon, NY, to David D. Pagan, Sr., and Eleanor M. (Lembo) on March 6, 1970; the youngest of 3 children to the couple. He and his family spent their years growing and thriving in Bergenfield, NJ; a place he always called home. Vinny was an athlete from a young age and played football and other sports throughout his years in school. He went on to play university football as well. His football career continued as an “armchair defensive tackle” for the New York Giants; a super fan in good times and bad.

He had continued his education ultimately earning a Master’s Degree in Education, with a passion for history. After a few years of teaching history to high school students in Worcester, MA, Vinny became an assistant principal in the Hudson School District in Hudson, NH, serving as such at the Hudson Memorial Middle School, Alvirne High School, and Nottingham West Elementary School. He had the honor of handing many Hudson students their high school diploma.

Hudson is also where Vinny found his second home. Meeting and marrying Lori Robicheau and becoming step-Dad to Dylan, Jillian, and Emily. Vinny often said they were the best part of his life, and he proudly wore 3 tattoos on his left arm (closest to his heart) that signified the special connection he had with each of his kids. He adored music, Gettysburg, and tattoos; all passions he shared with Jillian. He loved D&D, Harley Davidson, and all things Marvel; his love for which he passed on to Dylan. His love for travel was shared by Emily, as she embarked on her young journey to live in Hawaii for her first year of college. He was so proud of each one of them and would give everything he had to support them in fulfilling their dreams and goals.

Vinny’s giving spirit was shared with more than his family. It was shared with everyone, even people he will never meet. He generously declared himself an organ donor from the moment he first got his first driver’s license. In his final hours, he gave the gift of life to 2 recipients and to many others through research. He had wanted to donate his brain to the research of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), in particular research being undertaken at Boston University (BU). Although this could not happen, his wish can be carried out through donations to this incredible research program.

Vinny experienced many losses in his last 7 years of life. He is predeceased by his father, his mother, and his brother, David D., Jr. Vinny is survived by his sister, Joyce Pagan of Mahwah, NJ. He also leaves behind his wife, Lori Robicheau, and their children, Dylan (26), Jillian (24), and Emily (19) of Hudson, NH.

He is also survived by his niece Samantha (Pagan) Midgley and her husband, Cody, of Little Ferry, NJ, and their 2 sons and his sister-in-law, Cynthia Pagan, of Sanford, FL. He also has a loving extended family that includes sister-in-law Cindy Bathalon and her husband, Gary, of Manchester, NH; sister-in-law Kathy Larocque and her husband, Stan, of Rocky Hill, CT; brother-in-law Mark Mayo, of Raleigh, NC; and many nieces and nephews who loved him dearly. He will also be deeply missed by students, staff, and faculty with whom he built so many positive relationships.

Services in Florida for Vinny have been entrusted to Volusia Memorial Funeral Home in Port Orange, FL, and will be held at a future date. A memorial service for Vinny is planned for October 6, 2024, in Hudson, NH, at 1 pm. Venue to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to the Boston University CTE Brain Bank and Neuropathology Fund.