Frederick Joseph Pagnani, age 83, a longtime resident of Greenwich and Rye, died peacefully at home on October 18, 2017.
Born on October 24, 1933 in New York, he was the youngest of five children of Salvatore and Mariana Pagnani. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School, City College of New York, and Harvard Law School. During his college years, he worked at the New York Bar Association Library and, after graduating, served in the Army Reserves.
A successful lawyer and businessman, his career spanned from mass torts defense and insurance defense litigation to Russian Adventure Tours. Through his involvement with the 1964 New York World’s Fair, he developed business and personal relationships that would take him all over the world and involve him in ventures in Russia, China, and London.
Outside of his professional life, Mr. Pagnani supported the arts and volunteered his time with organizations that he cared about. He served on the Board of Governors and as President of Westchester Country Club, and was a trustee of the Army War College, and a longtime member of the board of trustees at Hackley School.
If he wasn’t working or volunteering, Mr. Pagnani could be found at Westchester Country Club on the tennis or paddle courts with his friends, in the Harvard Hall room at the Harvard Club holding court (and a cocktail), or listening to classical music, likely at Lincoln Center or Tanglewood.
An avid sports enthusiast, he was both a player and a fan. From the handball courts to the baseball diamond, if he was not playing or cheering on one of his many children or grandchildren, he was watching and praying for his beloved Mets and Jets.
His love of the arts and sports was only surpassed by his love of family. He was the devoted father of Pamela, Allyson, Rick, Keith, Marissa, and Vanessa, and cherished grandfather of Jennie (Mark DiFiore), Charlie, Aidan, Colin, Eli, Mackenzie, Sloan, Kiernan, Keith Jr., Kristen, and Kyle. He considered himself blessed to have a beautiful great-granddaughter, Charlotte, and to count his daughters-in-law, Amy and Katy, and sons-in-law, Christopher and Michael, as such important parts of his family. And, who could forget, his beloved grand-dogs, Kooper and Ace.
He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Christine Pagnani, with whom he traveled the world, entertained the neighborhood, enjoyed countless tennis games and rounds of golf, and experienced the great music and theater afforded by wherever they were. He is also survived by his loving sister, Mathilda Pezalano of Rye Brook, and his first wife, Virginia Pagnani.
A funeral service was held October 24 at Resurrection Church. A celebration of life followed at Westchester Country Club.
Contributions in Mr. Pagnani’s memory may be sent to Part of the Solution (POTS), 2759 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10458.
