Gary Paul Paganello

Gary Paul Paganello, 68, of Boynton Beach, Florida, rose to Heaven on Monday, October 23, 2023, at Select Specialty Hospital, in Lake Worth, Florida, due to heart failure after a surgical procedure at Boca Regional Hospital. Gary was born in Manhattan, New York, on March 28, 1955, the son of Joseph and Yvonne (Gulino) Paganello. He and his brother Richard grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and Fairlawn, New Jersey. Due to his excellence in academics, Gary was accepted to Fordham Preparatory School, in a special 3/3 program, in the Bronx, New York. Eventually the commute daily by bus, train and subway both ways took its toll. During his senior year a horrific case of mononucleosis forced his removal from the special program. The following year he graduated from Fairlawn Senior High School. Later he earned his Associates Degree while traveling and attending numerous colleges, such as State University of New York at New Paltz. After acting classes with Lee Strasberg, he, like many, became a struggling actor and model. While living in the city, he developed a culinary passion and started his career in restaurant service mastering tuxedo table side service. Eventually, traveling also became a passion. First stop, residing in a tent by Lake George, New York, then onward to New Port, Rhode Island, San Francisco, California, and St. Thomas, USVI, where Gary managed two sister restaurants, Sibs on the Mountain and Sibs by the Sea. In 1985, Gary met his future bride in St. Thomas. It was love at first sight. Gary swept her off her feet, and she he. During the courtship they island hopped to St. John, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke, to mention a few. Then Gary accepted his brother’s partnership offer to open a restaurant in Pine Plains, New York. The Junction Café was a success. Gary had truly mastered his culinary passion. When the chef unexpectantly departed, Gary was able to swap hats and prepare over a hundred meals a day. After three years, the business was sold and they relocated to Wellington, Florida. Gary married Marlene (Krolzick) on December 16, 1988. It was time for a career change. Gary was persuaded to try sales. Door-to-door til there ain’t more. After the training lectures, he quit. Then he saw an employment opportunity with SunTrust Bank. This was the beginning of his Loan Origination career. SunTrust Bank taught him the basics and he took off running. Shortly after, he changed employers to Regency Financial. Five successful years later, he partnered with co-workers and established People’s Mortgage Services, Inc., in Lake Worth, Florida. In 2000, Gary and his wife opened People’s Home Mortgage, Inc. in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. That year Gary also partnered with Werner Koehler and created L’Oasis Builders, Inc. The housing debacle of 2008 would force the closure of the businesses. Because he couldn’t sit idle, Gary joined Wells Fargo Bank, in 2011, as a mortgage loan originator. His office was eventually moved to Illustrated Properties, in Wellington, Florida. During the next 11 years, Gary was employed by four different lending companies but his office never changed. In 2017, Gary was diagnosed with Stage 4, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and given one year to live. It was a hard fought battle. He turned the 1 year into 7 years. Gary retired in June, 2022. Gary had a passion for helping people his entire life. He would always educate his clients so they could understand the mortgage application process. If clients were building their homes, Gary made them comfortable with the construction process. Once you met him, you were his friend and part of his family. He loved people and loved to make them laugh. Gary was the king of one-liners and master of bad Dad jokes. There was never a dull moment when Gary was present. He had thousands of stories to share about his life. He loved children. For five years, Gary coached his son’s little league baseball and flag football teams. Some parents weren’t too happy with his success rate. At one point he had nine pitchers on his team. And yes, each one tried pitching during the game. Did the team win? No. Were the children happy? YES! SUCCESS! Gary’s goal as a coach was to teach children the game, so they would like the sport. Gary’s most enjoyable part of life was music, the arts and cooking. He loved the Broadway shows, the Miami Ballet, and concerts. Gary had the best time of his life attending the annual Jacksonville Jazz Festival with his best friends each year. If there was a musical, ballet in town or art exibit, he’d get the tickets and take the kids and grandkids. “Culture” he would say. “They gots to be exposed to culture.” He loved to cook and create a masterpiece that people would enjoy through aroma, presentation and taste. After being mesmerized by the presentation, the aroma would draw you in and your taste buds would go crazy for hours. One of his annual Christmas traditions was preparing stuffed lobster with the seven fishes. Gary loved to watch his guest’s expressions as they enjoyed the perfect creation placed before them. Gary is survived by his loving wife Marlene (Krolzick), his son Paul (Shelley) Paganello of Coconut Creek, FL, step-sons Jason (Jennifer) Kruger of Grand Junction, MI, and Dustin Kruger of Atlanta, GA, granddaughters Abigail Kruger of Grand Junction, MI, and Capri Macchione of Coconut Creek, FL, brother Richard (Marion) Paganello of Fairlawn, NJ, sister-in-laws Debra (Michael) Tope of San Marcos, CA and Lenore (John) Riccioni of Boca Raton, FL, brother-in-law Gordon Krolzick of Benton Harbor, MI, nephews Adam (Jamie) Riccioni of Big Pine Key, FL, Brandon (Jennifer) Anderson of Escondido, CA, Phillip Paganello and Christopher Paganello of Fairlawn, NJ, and nieces Angela Riccioni of Chicago, IL, Breanne Birdsong of Kalamazoo, MI, Brooke Anderson of San Marcos, CA, and Laura Paganello of Fairlawn, NJ, aunt Connie Cirillo of Jupiter, FL, cousins William (Tammy) Cirillo of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Donald Cirillo of Jupiter, FL, Karen (David) Gunning of Sterling, VA, and Sean Cirillo of San Jose, CA, best friends Ralph (Louise) Figueroa of Hypoluxo, FL, Mark (Sandi) Harden of Port St. Lucie, FL, Werner Koehler of Royal Palm Beach, FL, and Brady. Family and friends are welcome to attend a visitation at the Palms West Funeral Home, 110 Business Park Way, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 on Saturday, November 4th, 2023, between 2:30pm to 3:30pm. A memorial service will be held at 3:30pm. Memorial donations should be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org/give or to the American Cancer Society online at donate.cancer.org. Please call Palms West Funeral Home at 561-753-6004 for more information. Please visit palmswestfuneralhome.com website to Light a Candle, share a memory, or post a picture that will be saved forever in Gary’s Memorial Website.

Gary Paul Paganello

March 28, 1955 - October 23, 2023