Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Anthony Pagano Obituary
June 29, 1939 - July 1, 2023
Anthony Pagano
June 29, 1939 - July 1, 2023
Tony Pagano, 84, passed away on July 1, 2023. Tony's early childhood was spent in New York City. In 1951, the family moved to Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, where he graduated from Hasbrouck Heights High School and Fordham University in New York City. He graduated from the University of Michigan Law School in 1963 and entered the US Army. That year he married Christine von Wiegandt in Honolulu, Hawaii and moved to Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. Upon his discharge in 1965, the family moved to San Francisco and Tony joined the Morrison Foerster law firm. In 1968, he began teaching part time at Golden Gate University Law School, and commenced full time teaching in 1970. The family moved to Oakland in 1970. He was chosen Dean of the Law School in 1989 and served until 2000 when he returned to the faculty, teaching Wills and Trusts and Community Property until his retirement in 2012. He was a member of Newman Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley.
Tony is survived by his wife, Chris; his daughters, Elizabeth, son-in-law Kenneth Robinson, and Celeste, son-in-law Jeff Boles, his grandsons, Paul Joseph Robinson and Michael Robinson and his sister Teresa Rista and her sons and their families. He is predeceased by his daughter Micheline Pagano.
A Mass and Memorial service will be held at Newman Holy Spirit Parish in Berkeley 2700 Dwight Way, Berkeley on July 29, 2023. Memorial donations may be made to Newman Holy Spirit or to a charity of your choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Anthony Pagano
Diego Ortiz
December 29, 2023
I´m saddened to learn of Tony´s passing. As a student at GGU SOL Tony took me under his wing and helped me academically navigate law school and prepare me for a life as an attorney. I owe much of my success as an attorney for the past 33 years to Tony. We both were from neighboring towns in NJ, which bonded us together culturally. Last time I saw Tony was at the Federal Courthouse in Oakland. As always he was very complimentary and supportive. I can still remember well his wry smile. My sincerest heartfelt condolences to Chris and their family. Rest in Peace my friend.
Marc Stickgold
July 17, 2023
Chris and family
I am terribly sorry I can´t make it to the Memorial. Both you and Tony were wonderful colleagues, companions and friends. I have many special memories of working with him that mean a great deal to me. Our joint love of good food is but one non-working joy we shared. As Dean he always made principled humanist decisions and the school was always better because of it.
Marci Kelly
July 15, 2023
It's impossible to sum up my feelings about Tony Pagano in the limited space which is appropriate here. I loved Tony; I appreciated Tony; I will miss Tony; I will never forget Tony.....Tony hired me for one of my favorite jobs I ever had. He was my "boss" for many years, but always let me do my job without smothering me with supervision or second-guessing me. A rare administrative talent in a confident shepherd who trusted his sheep.....Long after Tony was my boss, he was my colleague and my friend. Tony & Chris visited me in Virginia long after my health prevented my earlier frequent visits to California. As always, I was grateful for their time, kindness & the fun they brought to me.....Today, my thoughts are with Chris, her daughters and their families.
Mohamed Nasralla
July 14, 2023
Dear Chris,
Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. I had Tony as a teacher and as a boss. He was a talented professor and a great Dean. I am not sure if GGU would have still been around if it wasn´t for his leadership during his deanship years. He was terrific person with a good humor.
RIP Tony!!
Galina Kotovskaya
July 14, 2023
My deepest condolences.
May his memory be a blessing...
John Adkins
July 12, 2023
Dear Chris & family,
Sending sincere condolences for your loss. Tony was Dean during my stint at the law library (1991-98). While he made fun of my silly ties, he was always fair and we worked together on getting beautiful new furniture (which is still there today)!
His wit and smarts were essential for the law school to survive and thrive under his leadership.
Showing 1 - 7 of 7 results
Make a Donation
in Anthony Pagano's name
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.
Memorial Events
for Anthony Pagano
How to support Anthony's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Anthony Pagano's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
