John Batista Pace

He was born 1927 in Gafta, Tunisia to Giovanni and Guiseppina Pace. John spent his childhood in Sfax, Tunisia then because of World War II, immigrated to Sicily with his family. It was in Sicily, shortly after the war, where he met Mary, his wife and mother to be of his three children.

John and Mary immigrated to America in 1951 and lived first with Mary’s parents in Paterson and then a small apartment in Lodi, NJ where they met the first of their life-long friends. They then moved to Hackensack to raise their three children and form many more friendships.

John spent his last years in an assisted living apartment with Mary until her death in 2019. At the time of his death, he was the oldest male resident, with many residents calling him a friend.

John is survived by three children: Daniel, Sandra Joy and Robert. He is also survived by grandchildren Christine, Nicholas, Robert Jr., Paige, and Patrick, and great-grandchildren Michael, plus Faustina, Augustine, Rose, Theresa, Sebastian, Catherine, and Dominic.

His children thank the administration and staff, past and present, of The Residence at Park Ridge for their support and love of John.

The family will receive their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ on Wednesday, May 6 from 3-7PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating John's life and faith will be held at Guardian Angel R.C. Church, 320 Franklin Tpke, Allendale, NJ on Thursday, May 7 at 10AM. Entombment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.