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June 12, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held on 9:30am Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Rd Wayne, NJ where at 10:30am a funeral mass will be celebrated.
Interment will be in Geroge Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Augustus’ name may be made to:
FOWA - Friends of Wayne Animals
PO Box 3701
Wayne, NJ 07470
Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Augustus Gagis
Augustus Gagis, 87, of Wayne passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, with his beloved family at his side. Gus lived a life characterized not only by remarkable professional achievements, but by humility, kindness, faith, and a true devotion to those he loved.
Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, Gus was the middle of three cherished sons to John and Helen Gagis, immigrants from Greece. He was intensely proud of his Greek heritage which he passed onto his children and grandchildren, to whom he was known as Popouli. He graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson with the Class of 1956, where he excelled as a member of the varsity baseball team and was voted "Most Popular" by his classmates. This title was an honor that would prove foretelling, as his warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others remained trademarks of his character throughout his entire life. Those who knew Augustus best knew him simply as "Gus", a man whose humility and sincere kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
It was at Eastside where he met the love of his life, Patricia Lee Bernat. Patricia was a spirited 15-year-old sophomore; Augustus, a 17-year-old senior. Their first date, hot dogs “all-the-way” at Libby’s in Paterson, sparked a lifelong romance. Three years later, on December 6, 1958, they exchanged vows at St. Brendan’s R.C. Church in Clifton, celebrating their union with a reception at Natoli’s in Saddle Brook, NJ before honeymooning in the scenic Poconos.
Patty and Gus started married life on Buffalo Avenue in Paterson, where they welcomed their son, John, followed by their daughter, Dona. In 1967, they settled in Wayne, where their youngest, Judeth, was born. They remained in the town of Wayne for the rest of their lives together. Gus and Patty cherished sixty-six years of loving and loyal marriage until Patricia’s passing in 2025.
Following high school, Gus graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters of Science. He continued his education at New York University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Though he achieved the highest academic distinction in his field, Augustus never sought recognition for himself and never wished to be addressed as "Doctor." His humility was often just as impressive as his intellect.
While pursuing his PhD, he continued to work full time. Through decades of dedication, innovation, and hard work, he rose through the ranks of a company that evolved from Interchem Corporation to Inmont Chemical Corporation, then United Technologies, and ultimately BASF in Hawthorne, New Jersey. His exceptional leadership and expertise led him to become Director of North American Manufacturing, a position he held with distinction until his retirement at age seventy.
In 1984, Gus embraced the Catholic faith and converted to Catholicism, beginning a profound spiritual journey that would become central to his life. A devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne, New Jersey, he attended daily mass, volunteered countless hours in service to his parish, and served on numerous committees. His faith was not only something he practiced, it was something he lived each day through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Outside of work and church, Gus found joy in many activities. Primarily in his dedication to his fur family that included Maggie, TJ, Josh, Marcie and Chili. An avid gardener, he was so passionate and knowledgeable in regards to science, that his work was featured in a published article entitled A Black Garden in Wayne, New Jersey in Gardening Shortcuts in 1974.
Family vacations were among Gus's greatest pleasures. He loved creating memories with those he loved, from taking his family to Disney World shortly after it opened in 1971 to frequent trips to Atlantic City, not for gambling but for the restaurants, boardwalk atmosphere, and companionship. In later years, he delighted in bringing his grandchildren to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania along with enjoying his grandchildren’s sports and activities, cherishing every moment spent together.
Gus possessed a rare gift for connecting with people. He was endlessly entertaining, whose humor, and captivating personality could engage audiences of any age. Despite his many accomplishments and talents, conversations with Gus were never about him. He had an extraordinary ability to make others feel important, heard, and valued. He listened with genuine interest and treated everyone he met with dignity and respect.
Gus leaves behind a legacy of faith, humility, generosity, hard work, and devotion to family that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him. His titles and honors mattered little to him. His greatest passion in his life was always his family. He would often say, "Of all my accomplishments in life, my greatest is my family."
Augustus is survived by his three loving children: John Gagis and his wife Judy of Bernardsville, NJ, Dona Meringer and her husband Jim of Wayne, and Judeth DeMonico and her husband John of Parsippany; his dear brother George Gagis and his wife Mary of Rutherford; his sister-in-law Artemis of Fair Lawn, NJ; his cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth and her husband Grant, Augustus and his wife Bridget, Patricia and her husband Huan, Joseph and his girlfriend Jessica, Lieutenant Commander (USN) Zachary and his wife Micah, Abigail and her husband Stephen, Donald, Emily and her husband Matthew, Anna, Luke, and Michael; his beloved great-grandchildren: John Peter, Alessandra, Evelyn, Lyla, Chloe, Sarah, Callum, and Theresa. He was predeceased by his wife of sixty-six years Patricia Gagis (nee Bernat) in 2025, his parents John and Helen Gagis, his brother Nick Gagis, and by his great granddaughter Zoey Jean.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held on 9:30am Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Rd Wayne, NJ where at 10:30am a funeral mass will be celebrated.
Interment will be in Geroge Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Augustus’ name may be made to:
FOWA - Friends of Wayne Animals
PO Box 3701
Wayne, NJ 07470
Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Augustus Gagis
June 12, 2026
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 4-8pm on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne, NJ. Funeral services will be held on 9:30am Wednesday, June 17, 2026 from the funeral home, then to Our Lady of the Valley RC Church, 630 Valley Rd Wayne, NJ where at 10:30am a funeral mass will be celebrated.
Interment will be in Geroge Washington Memorial Park, 234 Paramus Rd, Paramus NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Augustus’ name may be made to:
FOWA - Friends of Wayne Animals
PO Box 3701
Wayne, NJ 07470
Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Augustus Gagis
Augustus Gagis, 87, of Wayne passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, with his beloved family at his side. Gus lived a life characterized not only by remarkable professional achievements, but by humility, kindness, faith, and a true devotion to those he loved.
Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, Gus was the middle of three cherished sons to John and Helen Gagis, immigrants from Greece. He was intensely proud of his Greek heritage which he passed onto his children and grandchildren, to whom he was known as Popouli. He graduated from Eastside High School in Paterson with the Class of 1956, where he excelled as a member of the varsity baseball team and was voted "Most Popular" by his classmates. This title was an honor that would prove foretelling, as his warmth, humor, and genuine interest in others remained trademarks of his character throughout his entire life. Those who knew Augustus best knew him simply as "Gus", a man whose humility and sincere kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.
It was at Eastside where he met the love of his life, Patricia Lee Bernat. Patricia was a spirited 15-year-old sophomore; Augustus, a 17-year-old senior. Their first date, hot dogs “all-the-way” at Libby’s in Paterson, sparked a lifelong romance. Three years later, on December 6, 1958, they exchanged vows at St. Brendan’s R.C. Church in Clifton, celebrating their union with a reception at Natoli’s in Saddle Brook, NJ before honeymooning in the scenic Poconos.
Patty and Gus started married life on Buffalo Avenue in Paterson, where they welcomed their son, John, followed by their daughter, Dona. In 1967, they settled in Wayne, where their youngest, Judeth, was born. They remained in the town of Wayne for the rest of their lives together. Gus and Patty cherished sixty-six years of loving and loyal marriage until Patricia’s passing in 2025.
Following high school, Gus graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree and a Masters of Science. He continued his education at New York University, where he earned a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. Though he achieved the highest academic distinction in his field, Augustus never sought recognition for himself and never wished to be addressed as "Doctor." His humility was often just as impressive as his intellect.
While pursuing his PhD, he continued to work full time. Through decades of dedication, innovation, and hard work, he rose through the ranks of a company that evolved from Interchem Corporation to Inmont Chemical Corporation, then United Technologies, and ultimately BASF in Hawthorne, New Jersey. His exceptional leadership and expertise led him to become Director of North American Manufacturing, a position he held with distinction until his retirement at age seventy.
In 1984, Gus embraced the Catholic faith and converted to Catholicism, beginning a profound spiritual journey that would become central to his life. A devoted parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne, New Jersey, he attended daily mass, volunteered countless hours in service to his parish, and served on numerous committees. His faith was not only something he practiced, it was something he lived each day through acts of kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Outside of work and church, Gus found joy in many activities. Primarily in his dedication to his fur family that included Maggie, TJ, Josh, Marcie and Chili. An avid gardener, he was so passionate and knowledgeable in regards to science, that his work was featured in a published article entitled A Black Garden in Wayne, New Jersey in Gardening Shortcuts in 1974.
Family vacations were among Gus's greatest pleasures. He loved creating memories with those he loved, from taking his family to Disney World shortly after it opened in 1971 to frequent trips to Atlantic City, not for gambling but for the restaurants, boardwalk atmosphere, and companionship. In later years, he delighted in bringing his grandchildren to Hershey Park in Pennsylvania along with enjoying his grandchildren’s sports and activities, cherishing every moment spent together.
Gus possessed a rare gift for connecting with people. He was endlessly entertaining, whose humor, and captivating personality could engage audiences of any age. Despite his many accomplishments and talents, conversations with Gus were never about him. He had an extraordinary ability to make others feel important, heard, and valued. He listened with genuine interest and treated everyone he met with dignity and respect.
Gus leaves behind a legacy of faith, humility, generosity, hard work, and devotion to family that will continue to inspire all who knew and loved him. His titles and honors mattered little to him. His greatest passion in his life was always his family. He would often say, "Of all my accomplishments in life, my greatest is my family."
Augustus is survived by his three loving children: John Gagis and his wife Judy of Bernardsville, NJ, Dona Meringer and her husband Jim of Wayne, and Judeth DeMonico and her husband John of Parsippany; his dear brother George Gagis and his wife Mary of Rutherford; his sister-in-law Artemis of Fair Lawn, NJ; his cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth and her husband Grant, Augustus and his wife Bridget, Patricia and her husband Huan, Joseph and his girlfriend Jessica, Lieutenant Commander (USN) Zachary and his wife Micah, Abigail and her husband Stephen, Donald, Emily and her husband Matthew, Anna, Luke, and Michael; his beloved great-grandchildren: John Peter, Alessandra, Evelyn, Lyla, Chloe, Sarah, Callum, and Theresa. He was predeceased by his wife of sixty-six years Patricia Gagis (nee Bernat) in 2025, his parents John and Helen Gagis, his brother Nick Gagis, and by his great granddaughter Zoey Jean.
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