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February 24, 2018
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held immediately following the time of visitation and begin in the funeral home at 7:30 PM.
Ricardo “Rick” Pabon, age 53, of Garfield passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side, on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Rick was born in San Germán, Puerto Rico. He came to New York at the approximate age of five, then moved to Passaic where, while attending Passaic High School, he starred in baseball and football before graduating with the Class of 1982.
Rick’s first job after high school was with Passaic General Hospital as a patient transporter. After 5+ years he began working at Barry’s Tuxedo in Passaic delivering tuxedos all over the tri-state area. He used to say about this job, “I’m making dreams come true one tuxedo at a time.” In 1992, he returned to healthcare when he joined the staff of Hackensack Medical Center (known today as Hackensack University Medical Center), as a Nursing Assistant. His work took him all over the hospital – O.R., recovery, I.C.U., and everybody knew Rick whose big voice always arrived before he actually did. Wherever he could be found, he always made coworkers and patients laugh out loud while simultaneously enjoying the utmost respect of doctors and staff alike. Rick enjoyed his work in the hospital for eighteen years until, in 2011 while testing out his friends new bike, he shattered his knee resulting in countless surgeries and ultimately the end of his ability to work.
The first time that Rick met his future wife Janet Ramirez was at Janet’s Uncle Tomas’ house, for a sweet sixteen party rehearsal for her cousin Helga. Rick was there that day with his present girlfriend, but when he saw Janet, he began asking himself “Why am I not going out with her?” That was 1979 but Rick and Janet didn’t have their first official date until 1988. It was Rick’s birthday and they went to El Torito Restaurant in Paramus. After dinner they caught a movie – Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy. Their love for each other was real and so one day, Rick asked for Janet’s hand in marriage while she was putting on her makeup in the bathroom in preparation of attending hers brother-in-law’s birthday party. They married on January 10, 2004. The venue for the wedding was the Wayne View Care Center – a place that no one would typically pick for such a grand occasion, but that’s where Janet’s father Raul Ramirez was and both Janet and Rick agreed that la familia was much more important than a fancy wedding venue. After all, weddings last one day but marriages and the love of family are forever!
They first lived in Lodi and later moved to Garfield where they’ve been to the present.
Rick was a person who drew energy from people like a solar panel draws energy from the sun. When he walked into a room full of people, he drew in the energy by having light-hearted conversations and, like that solar panel, he radiated it back with his contagious laugh, big warm smile, quick wit, and total lack of inhibition. He would often embarrass his family a bit by talking to complete strangers in restaurants. He had a great warm-hearted way of disarming you and making you feel very comfortable and loved. When newbies came into the family, it was Rick that made them feel welcome and at ease.
Rick was all about fun and was definite welcome company on family trips to Hershey Park, Myrtle Beach and down the Jersey shore. If he traveled, it was rarely by plane or jet. He had a fear of flying and would always say, “We weren’t meant to fly. If we were, we would have been born with wings.” Rick loved to dance and frankly, he was an excellent dancer – especially his beloved salsa. He was a huge fan of football, baseball, basketball and boxing and he always rooted for the team that was doing great because who wants to root for a loser? It’s no fun! Rick loved to buy the latest and greatest electronics to watch his sports on, play games on his Play Station, or catch a good movie. And the movies had to be high energy flicks with lots of action, explosions and car chases.
Above all, Rick loved the most important thing in life – being with and loving good family and friends. He leaves a hole in the hearts of those who cherished his larger-than-life presence, but he also leaves blessings for countless souls with many great memories.
Rick was the beloved and devoted husband of Janet; loving son of Rosita Pabon of Clifton and the late Roberto Pabon (2012); dear brother of Nelson “Sonny” Pabon, Roberto Pabon, and Alice M. Pabon and husband Roberto, all of Clifton; dear uncle of: Robert A. Fulgencio, Jr., Rosiline B. Fulgencio, Eddie Pabon, Catiria Pabon, Robert Alexander Pabon, Thalia I. Pabon, Anthony Mercaldi, Nicole Mercaldi, Lisette Garcia, Michael and wife Amanda Ramirez, and Daniel Ramirez; dear son-in-law of Dolores Ramirez and the late Raul Ramirez (2004; and dear brother-in-law of Maria Mercaldi, Nacio and wife Sue Ramirez, and the late Anthony Mercaldi (2012) and last but not least his godson Anthony "Junito" Mercaldi whom he adored and cherrished.
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held immediately following the time of visitation and begin in the funeral home at 7:30 PM.
February 24, 2018
Services
Friends may visit with the family at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Road, Wayne, on Tuesday, February 27, 2018 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM.
A Funeral Service will be held immediately following the time of visitation and begin in the funeral home at 7:30 PM.
Ricardo “Rick” Pabon, age 53, of Garfield passed away peacefully, with his loving family by his side, on Saturday, February 24, 2018.
Rick was born in San Germán, Puerto Rico. He came to New York at the approximate age of five, then moved to Passaic where, while attending Passaic High School, he starred in baseball and football before graduating with the Class of 1982.
Rick’s first job after high school was with Passaic General Hospital as a patient transporter. After 5+ years he began working at Barry’s Tuxedo in Passaic delivering tuxedos all over the tri-state area. He used to say about this job, “I’m making dreams come true one tuxedo at a time.” In 1992, he returned to healthcare when he joined the staff of Hackensack Medical Center (known today as Hackensack University Medical Center), as a Nursing Assistant. His work took him all over the hospital – O.R., recovery, I.C.U., and everybody knew Rick whose big voice always arrived before he actually did. Wherever he could be found, he always made coworkers and patients laugh out loud while simultaneously enjoying the utmost respect of doctors and staff alike. Rick enjoyed his work in the hospital for eighteen years until, in 2011 while testing out his friends new bike, he shattered his knee resulting in countless surgeries and ultimately the end of his ability to work.
The first time that Rick met his future wife Janet Ramirez was at Janet’s Uncle Tomas’ house, for a sweet sixteen party rehearsal for her cousin Helga. Rick was there that day with his present girlfriend, but when he saw Janet, he began asking himself “Why am I not going out with her?” That was 1979 but Rick and Janet didn’t have their first official date until 1988. It was Rick’s birthday and they went to El Torito Restaurant in Paramus. After dinner they caught a movie – Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy. Their love for each other was real and so one day, Rick asked for Janet’s hand in marriage while she was putting on her makeup in the bathroom in preparation of attending hers brother-in-law’s birthday party. They married on January 10, 2004. The venue for the wedding was the Wayne View Care Center – a place that no one would typically pick for such a grand occasion, but that’s where Janet’s father Raul Ramirez was and both Janet and Rick agreed that la familia was much more important than a fancy wedding venue. After all, weddings last one day but marriages and the love of family are forever!
They first lived in Lodi and later moved to Garfield where they’ve been to the present.
Rick was a person who drew energy from people like a solar panel draws energy from the sun. When he walked into a room full of people, he drew in the energy by having light-hearted conversations and, like that solar panel, he radiated it back with his contagious laugh, big warm smile, quick wit, and total lack of inhibition. He would often embarrass his family a bit by talking to complete strangers in restaurants. He had a great warm-hearted way of disarming you and making you feel very comfortable and loved. When newbies came into the family, it was Rick that made them feel welcome and at ease.
Rick was all about fun and was definite welcome company on family trips to Hershey Park, Myrtle Beach and down the Jersey shore. If he traveled, it was rarely by plane or jet. He had a fear of flying and would always say, “We weren’t meant to fly. If we were, we would have been born with wings.” Rick loved to dance and frankly, he was an excellent dancer – especially his beloved salsa. He was a huge fan of football, baseball, basketball and boxing and he always rooted for the team that was doing great because who wants to root for a loser? It’s no fun! Rick loved to buy the latest and greatest electronics to watch his sports on, play games on his Play Station, or catch a good movie. And the movies had to be high energy flicks with lots of action, explosions and car chases.
Above all, Rick loved the most important thing in life – being with and loving good family and friends. He leaves a hole in the hearts of those who cherished his larger-than-life presence, but he also leaves blessings for countless souls with many great memories.
Rick was the beloved and devoted husband of Janet; loving son of Rosita Pabon of Clifton and the late Roberto Pabon (2012); dear brother of Nelson “Sonny” Pabon, Roberto Pabon, and Alice M. Pabon and husband Roberto, all of Clifton; dear uncle of: Robert A. Fulgencio, Jr., Rosiline B. Fulgencio, Eddie Pabon, Catiria Pabon, Robert Alexander Pabon, Thalia I. Pabon, Anthony Mercaldi, Nicole Mercaldi, Lisette Garcia, Michael and wife Amanda Ramirez, and Daniel Ramirez; dear son-in-law of Dolores Ramirez and the late Raul Ramirez (2004; and dear brother-in-law of Maria Mercaldi, Nacio and wife Sue Ramirez, and the late Anthony Mercaldi (2012) and last but not least his godson Anthony "Junito" Mercaldi whom he adored and cherrished.
Guestbook
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