James J. "Jim" Pagano
March 31, 1933 ~ September 23, 2026
Born in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
James Joseph “Jim” Pagano, a Pueblo native whose devotion to family, faith, community and Italian heritage shaped more than nine decades of life, passed away at the age of 93.
Jim was born March 31, 1933, at his grandmother’s home on Elm Street in Pueblo to Joe and Mamie Pagano. He grew up nearby on Abriendo Avenue with his sister, RoseAnn (Jerry Cvar).
Jim was active in basketball and softball as a youth. He graduated from Pueblo Central High School in 1951, where he played basketball for three years, and later attended Pueblo Junior College, continuing his basketball career.
In 1952, Jim was drafted into the United States Army. He served his country for three years and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.
In 1956, Jim married the love of his life, Jeanne Gentile, to whom he was married for 70 years. Together they raised two children, Jim (Sally) and Janice (Lorenzo), and built a family that remained the center of Jim’s life. He was the proud grandfather of Fr. Christopher Gama, O.F.M. Cap., Brandon, Dustin (Shelly), Jordon (Brandi) and Zachary (Jordan), and great-grandfather to Theodora, Dominic and Hudson. Jim and Jeanne also served as Godparents to nine Godchildren.
Professionally, Jim worked for CF&I Steel in the sales and accounting department. His commitment to Pueblo extended far beyond his career.
He was a charter member of the Father John Powers Memorial Football and Basketball League, an active member of the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church and the Diocese of Pueblo, a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Serra Club of Pueblo, Marianist Affiliates and the supervisory committee at Power Credit Union.
Jim was also a charter member of Southern Colorado’s Sons of Italy Lodge 2738 and took tremendous pride in his Italian-American heritage. He helped create and preserve Pueblo’s Sicilian cart tradition, working with a team to maintain the cart and proudly display it in parades throughout Pueblo and the state of Colorado. His efforts earned him the affectionate nickname “Jimmy the Wagon,” a title he wore proudly. In 2011, Jim was honored as a Sons of Italy Citizen of the Year.
Throughout his life, Jim remained deeply connected to the people, traditions and community that shaped him.
If one word defined Jim Pagano, it was dedication — to Jeanne and his family, to his Catholic faith, to Pueblo, and to ensuring that the Italian traditions passed down to him would continue for generations to come.
Memorial services will be held at the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church, 300 Goodnight Ave., with the Recitation of the Rosary, 9:30 a.m., followed by Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
Those who desire may make memorials to either the Shrine of St. Therese Catholic Church, 300 Goodnight Ave., Pueblo, CO 81004; or to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Services
Rosary: September 30, 2026 9:30 am
Shrine of St. Therese
300 Goodnight Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81004
719-542-1788
Memorial Mass: September 30, 2026 10:00 am
Shrine of St. Therese
300 Goodnight Ave.
Pueblo, CO 81004
719-542-1788
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in James J. "Jim" Pagano 's name.
Dear Jeanne and Family,
My deepest condolences go out to you and family. I was so sorry to see that your beloved Jim passed away. He was truly a great man. I have fond memories of my parents and brother Seamus their on holidays for my late parents 40th wedding anniversary over 13 yrs ago as they had wanted to see where my dear Mams late brother Fr. John Power (my uncle) had lived and made his life. They had a wonderful time with Jim and Jeanne and it will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with you all at this sad time.
I offer my prayers and condolences at the death of your beloved Jim. What a great and holy man – dedicated to family, committed to his Catholic Faith, and loving God generously and endlessly!
I am so grateful that Jim and you were Lay Marianist Affiliates for all these years.
May God bless Jim with great peace, joy, and happiness now in heaven, and may Mary our Mother welcome Jim home. I will offer Mass for Jim, and I ask God to bring you comfort and peace in this time of death and loss.
With much love,
Father Mac
Dear Jeanne and Janice,
Thinking of you and sending you strength as you navigate this heartbreaking loss. My heart goes out to you and your family.
All my love,
Leanora Cardinale Gagliano
Sending you my prayers.
Anne (Tammie Sullivan) Packer
So sorry to hear of your loss. Sending our condolences and praying for comfort for you all during this time.
The Pittenger family
Loss of a longtime great friend! We were friends fom kintergartine at Strack School, Besemer Grade, Keating Jr. High, and Central. We played a lot of softball growing up and in 1948 we won the State Softball Championship in Denver. We were happy and proud bunch of young guys! I had a lot of great times and memories on hunting and fishing trips with his dad and uncles. Later, we started bowling and playing golf, which was a lot of fun. Jim you will be missed. May God be with you!!
We are so sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. Jim was a great guy and so giving. We pray for eternal rest and that the perpetual light shine upon him.
We ask Our Lord & His Mother to bring comfort and peace to the family.
Jerry & Barbara Osterman
Kristi Spinuzzi
Dear Jennie and family,
My deepest sympathy to all of you. I also remember fondly our trip to Sicily in 2001. We all had a wonderful time visiting where our ancestors lived. I grew up on Abriendo also and remember all his family. Jim and my brother John Dase graduated together.
May he rest in peace,
Virginia Dase Wyatt
Dear Jeannie and family,
So sorry for your loss and our prayers are with you.
I worked with Jim at Centennial and enjoyed his company and stories of my family and the neighborhood.
Dearest Jeannie, Jim and Janice. My heart goes out to all of you as you take this journey. The memories come flooding back and I can’t help but smile. All of you were such an important part of my childhood. May the Peace of Christ be with you all.
RIP Jim. You are in the Hands of God now!
Dear Pagano Family,
May the love and peace of the Lord that surpasses all understanding be yours during this time. He was one of God’s BEST in every way. His joy and love for Family, Faith, Friends and Italian traditions is a lasting legacy of love ❤️ that made a meaningful difference in the lives of many, including mine. His legacy lives on in the hearts 💞 of his family blessed to be a blessing!🙏🕊️💖✨
Love,
Jan McManus DiSanti
Jeannie and family: sorry for your loss, my condolences 💐. Maybe the guys will get together again in heaven.
Jim was the security guard at Centennial when I began to run the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium. He was a great colleague who always had my back. He was great with the little folks who came to me. I will miss him.
So sad for your loss. My mother (Loretta) always thought highly of both Jeanie and Jim
We have such fond memories of our trip to Lucca in 2001. It was the trip of a lifetime and Jim was alot of fun. A great memory that we treasure always.
Jim spearheaded the Memorial Day Mass held in the Bishop’s Section at Roselawn and it continues today because of his leadership. He was instrumental in having flags designed and placed on the priests & nuns graves with insignias of the religious order. As a member of the Knights of Columbus he was responsible for all of this at Roselawn.
Truly a devout man who I greatly admired.
Rest in peace Jim a peace you truly deserve.
With sympathy & fond memories,
Lucille Paglione-Corsentino
Dwight & Nancy Wimber
Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time
Dwight & Nancy Wimber
Our deepest condolences go out to you and family. Feel so sad about not staying in touch but held you and Jim close in our thoughts and prayers all the time. I still remember when I went to a Serra Meeting just to see what it was all about and Jim tells me, “we need a secretary and you are nominated” and you can start now!!!” Ha ha I finally served about 5 years which was way too long. Thanks, Jim.!!!
He was always so nice and encouraging and so funny when he would tell us all your age!!! We both came to love and appreciate you both and especially Jim’s commitment to the Club and to his Catholic faith. Please know we are deeply sorry to hear of his death but certain he is in the heavenly kingdom and at peace with Our Loving Lord. Jeanne, I hold you close in my heart.
God bless you and give you His special love and peace. Rest in peace, Jim.
Mando (Joe) and Patricia Reyes
Sorry for your loss. Jim was great. Thoughts and prayers to the family
He was the absolute best Cousin. He was always there if I needed help. My thought & prayers to all our family.
Much love to all of the Jim Pagano family… what a legacy he has left behind. Now he has a crystal clear view straight down from heaven wrapping you all in his love. 🙏🙏
Pagano family
So sorry for the loss of a great man, his legacy will live on forever. Our thoughts are with you all at this time.!
Brad and Karen Farbo
Jeannie and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at such a hard time.
Jim was such a good and loving man.
I thank God for the many years you got to share.
Sheila n I are very sorry for your loss. Jim was a great guy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.