- Date Of Birth: November 5, 1980
- Date Of Death: January 24, 2022
- State: Iowa
Joseph Anthony Pagano, 41, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, January 24, 2022, at University Of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA. Joe was born November 5, 1980, in Des Moines, IA, to Leonard and Martina (O’Connor) Pagano. Joe grew up in Urbandale and attended St Pius X school. He was a graduate of Dowling Catholic High School and continued his education at UNLV in Las Vegas where he spent most of his free time at the blackjack table hitting on soft 17. After college, Joe moved back to Iowa and went on to work for several family businesses with his Detroit players.
Joe was genuine to his core and didn’t follow the popular choice, he called it like it was. He could be outspoken and loved a good debate…regardless of the topic and even when he knew he was wrong. If you were on the receiving end of one of his rants…that was a sure sign you were loved! Joe was extremely intelligent and literally could have been anything he wanted to be, and that’s exactly what he did, whatever he wanted. He was honest, hardworking, generous and put his friends and family above everything else. His friends adored his fun-loving personality and cavalier attitude toward life. A side of Joe that many didn’t see was the soft side that he showed on occasion to his friends but ALWAYS to his mom. Sundays were spent with the family eating spaghetti and meatballs and talking sports, politics, and how Google was better than Apple. As an avid sports fan, he loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs…and according to him, could easily out manage any of their coaches. A devoted son, loving brother and uncle, Joe loved his family and friends…and they loved him. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten.
Joe is survived by his wife, Molli Pagano; mother, Martina Pagano; brothers, Tony Pagano, Troy Pagano, Frank (April) Pagano; sisters, Gina (Jeff) Pagano-Rude, Angelina (Matt) Fisher; nephews, Nicholas Pagano, Christopher Pagano, Jack Rude, Leo Rude, Frankie Pagano; niece, Emma Pagano; stepson, Kaiden Cooper. He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Pagano. He will be greatly missed by his boys (dogs), Pilot and Buckley.
