Eugene D

Fagnano

Eugene D. Fagnano passed away peacefully on September 18, 2024 at the age of 96.  Eugene was born on January 18, 1928, in Niles Ohio, son of Frank and Rose Fagnano, (nee Rotundo),and grew up in Fairview, NJ. On September 10, 1950, he married the love of his life, Edna Ann Koludrovich; they remained together until she passed away in 2011. He was also predeceased by siblings, Adeline Verina, (Daniel,) Albert, (Marjorie,) Raymond, (Margaret,) Rita Campagna, (Gene,) Anthony, (Harriet,) Frances Barnes, (Stephen.) He is survived by sisters, Dolores Deery, (Joseph,) and Rose Stigliano, (Hubert,) daughters, Debra Louise Fagnano and Cindy Louise Petrocelli, (Stephen,) grandchildren, Emma Harvey (Christopher), Sara Armstrong (Chad), Amelia Bowers (Thomas), Samuel Petrocelli (Bridget), Luke Petrocelli (Sarah), and Eugene Black; great-grandchildren Iris, Vincent, Theodore, Eleanora, Mila, Anthony, William, Rosalie, Adeline, Thomas, and Henry; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Upon high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army. After being discharged post WWII, he was admitted into the New York Newspapers Pressmen's Union.  Eugene worked as an apprentice at Alco Gravure, Hoboken, NJ, for fourteen years, then as a pressman for the New York Times for thirty-two more years, a total of 46 years when he then retired as pressroom foreman.

Eugene was a talented trumpeter, and member of the Musician's Union. As an accomplished artist, he drew and painted everything from birthday card cartoons to exquisite oil paintings, and belonged to several art clubs.

Eugene was very active in his community, served four terms as a councilman in Fairview, and served for twenty years on the Bergen County Housing Authority, ten as chairman.

A lifelong parishioner of Our Lady Of Grace Church in Fairview, he served as an usher, a trustee, and finance chairman, and became a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Eugene published his first book in 2013, Prisoner of Love, his personal love story. A  second book soon to be published, Together in Time, traces his family history from his father's arrival in America from Valsinni, Italy, through the lives of the nine siblings.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 20, 2024, from 3:00pm until 8:00pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Of Grace Church, Fairview, on Saturday morning, September 21, at 10:00.