EUGENE CLIFFORD PAMI

Beloved husband, father, grandfather, Eugene Clifford Pami (Gene) passed away on February 7, 2025. He was 92. Gene was the anchor of our lives, our homes and our family with his steady and calm and generous presence. Gene was married for nearly 59 years to his forever love, Barbara. Together, they raised three children, Lisa Marie, married to Brian Payne, Debbie Marie, married to Frank Magyar and Anthony Joseph, married to Cheryl. As a grandfather (Poppy) to Benjamin, Jacob, and Elisabeth Pami, Leah Payne, and Frank and Michael Magyar, he extended his generous and peaceful spirit to each of them through his stories and love of life (and sports). Gene was kind, generous and a peacemaker although not without a competitive spirit that showed up in both his own athletic success but also the way in which he coached and cheered on his children and grandchildren. Dad/Poppy was always our biggest fan! Gene’s love of baseball and bowling was the source of much joy throughout his life. Mondays and Fridays growing up in our Clifton home always included “Dad” heading to “the alleys,” where he sported a 200+ average (along with multiple 800 series’ and a perfect 300) up into his 80’s. Growing up, Gene was a multiple sports star with baseball being his great love. Inducted into the Clifton Sports Hall of Fame, Gene was a standout pitcher for the Mustangs (known for his impeccable control and multitude of pitches, including the knuckle ball) and was eventually signed by the St. Louis Cardinals where he played for the Hamilton Cardinals (minor league club in Canada) and recorded a 16-7 record in his first year. Gene’s baseball career would undergo a pause and eventually be shortened when he was drafted and served his country in the Korean War. After the war and his retirement from (professional) baseball, Gene worked for Becton Dickinson (BD) in Clifton for 15 years, followed by working with his brother Harry (who owned Custom Gentleman Tailor Shop), also in Clifton. Gene would go on to work for Elcon Corporation and then the Passaic Valley Water Commission where he retired. But it was at BD that he met the love of his life, Barbara, leading to their marriage, the birth of their three children, vacations in Wildwood, NJ and a full life of love. To his wife and children, Gene was a quiet and agreeable man whose friendly and charismatic personality outside of the home always resulted in “Dad” running into a friend wherever he went. Gene was the kind of person, from beginning to the end of his earthly journey, who was liked by everyone who met him. He was seemingly never upset or dissatisfied and always content with living a simple and good life. Gene was always happy at home, whether it was helping prepare dinner (usually on Mondays) or lounging in an easy chair, watching his New York Mets. In Gene’s later years, he developed a love for trips to the casino (usually Atlantic City) with Barbara as well as his poker nights with a group of gentleman who lived in their Riverdale community (where Barbara and Gene would eventually move to after selling their Clifton home). Gene was a faithful member of the Catholic Church throughout his life, living out his faith quietly and privately with its’ expression evident in the way in which he was a friend to so many, always carrying his generous and kind spirit to all. Gene’s transition to heaven followed the passing of his brothers, Harry and Alex as well as his parents, Harry and Elvira. As noted previously, he is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara, their three children and sons and daughter-in-law plus six grandchildren as well as brother and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews, all of which were touched by his beautiful and full life. At the request of the family, burial and a celebration of life will be private. You can view a life video for Gene at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWhJ-JVTQTQ and can leave messages of love and support here.

EUGENE CLIFFORD PAMI

August 15, 1932 - February 7, 2025