Patricia Lee Gagis

Patricia Lee Gagis (née Bernat), 85, of Wayne, NJ, a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother, and steadfast woman of faith, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, surrounded by her three adoring children and embraced in the love of her family.

Born in New York City to Donald and Antoinette (Caiola) Bernat, Patty moved with her parents to Paterson as a young child. There, she flourished, graduating with the Class of 1957 from Eastside High School.

It was at Eastside where she met the love of her life, Augustus “Gus” Gagis. Patty was a spirited 15-year-old sophomore; Gus, 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.

Pat and Gus started married life on Buffalo Avenue in Paterson, where they welcomed their son, John, followed by their daughter, Dona. In 1966, they settled in Wayne, where their youngest, Judeth, was born. Patty embraced motherhood wholeheartedly, considering her children to be among her greatest blessings. She devoted herself to raising them full-time before eventually joining Gus in the workforce at BASF in Clifton, where she took great pride in her efficiency and organizational skills.

Faith and family were the cornerstones of Patty’s life. A dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Wayne, she served with devotion—teaching CCD, acting as a Eucharistic minister, organizing food drives, and even helping to clean the church. She found true joy in attending Mass and praying for her loved ones and anyone in need.

As an only child, Patty found immense fulfillment in the family she and Gus built together. She adored her three children and their spouses, treasured her eleven grandchildren, and delighted in her nine great-grandchildren. She never missed an opportunity to share her gratitude for the abundance of love in her life. Patty also held a soft spot for the four-legged canine companions who brought her joy over the years—Maggie, T.J., Josh, and Marcie.

Patricia is survived by her devoted husband of 66 years, Augustus “Gus” Gagis; her 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;  her cherished grandchildren: Elizabeth and her husband Grant, Augustus and his wife Bridget, Patricia and her fiancé Huan Tran, Joseph and his girlfriend Emily, Lieutenant Commander Zachary and his wife Micah, Abigail and her fiancé Stephen, Donald, Emily and her fiancé Matthew, Anna, Luke, and Michael; and her beloved great-grandchildren: John Peter, Alessandra, Evelyn, Lyla, Chloe, Sarah, Callum, and Theresa. She was predeceased by her parents, Donald and Antoinette Bernat, and her great-granddaughter, Zoey.

Patty’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, boundless love, and joyful service to others. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those who were blessed to know her.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Patricia’s name are asked to consider a donation to:

Friends of Wayne Animal Rescue

FOWA

PO Box 3701

Wayne, NJ 07470

To download a mailable form, Click Here.

Please indicate that your gift is in memory of Patricia Lee Gagis