Richard William Falato

Richard W. Falato, age 79, of Wayne and Marco Island, FL went to his eternal rest on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, with the comfort of his wife by his side.

He was born in Paterson to John and Ruth Falato and raised at 849 Main Street in Paterson New Jersey, graduating from Central High School with the Class of 1964.  He continued his education at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Arts where he studied Advertising Design with the Class of 1967.

Rich’s remarkable career began humbly, plucking eyes out of potatoes at the farmers’ market on Railway Avenue in Paterson. His first job in his field was with the American Cyanamid Corporation in Wayne working in the art department. Rich went on to serve as Art Director for the Ridgewood News. In 1972 he moved his young family to Sherman Oaks, California, where he joined the printing department at Price Waterhouse, a job his brother in law secured for him until he could find something of his own in a more creative vain. Two years later, they returned to New Jersey, where Rich worked for Westshore Publishing in Bogota before joining Curtin and Kissane in New York City.

There, he designed brochures, game tickets and other promotional materials. This led him to establish his own firm, Joshua Productions in Riverdale, New Jersey. Changes in the graphics business led him to establish a home-based company on Oakwood Drive in Wayne. He specialized in advertising, product photography, brochures, and magazine ad placement. Ready for a change, and ever adaptable, Rich transitioned into a scientific role at Schering-Plough—later Merck—where he spent the last seven years of his work life as a Pharmaceutical Lab Process Specialist. Rich officially retired in 2015.

Rich was always on the move, embracing an active lifestyle with his trademark enthusiasm and good humor. He loved playing golf at the Packanack Golf Club, especially with the Wednesday Seniors, even if his skills on the course were more often the source of friendly teasing than trophies. What he lacked in golfing precision, he made up for with laughter and camaraderie. Rich also enjoyed the fast-paced game of pickleball and was a regular at the gym, where he was known for his dedication to staying fit. One of his favorite pastimes in Florida, was playing bocce ball, a sport that brought him many dear friends. 

Rich met the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Dowd, at a Central High School football game in Paterson—a serendipitous moment that marked the beginning of a beautiful lifelong partnership. Their relationship deepened over time, and Rich proposed to Pat while they sat together in a car near William Paterson University, then known by its earlier name. They were married on June 22, 1968, at St. Mary’s Church on Union Avenue in Paterson, and celebrated their union with a joyful reception at the Wayne Manor. Their honeymoon to the sun-soaked shores of Saint Thomas and Puerto Rico marked the start of a marriage rooted in love, respect, and shared values. This union produced two children, a source of tremendous pride to Rich. Years as a coach, rooter, advice-giver, all rolls played by him, thanks to two children born nine years apart – to the day. These two children brought him tremendous joy by making him a grandfather of six. This new generation kept him on the go with ball games, graduations, building projects, bedtime stories, and home-cooked meals. Over 57 years of marriage, Rich and Pat built a life full of meaning, and Pat remained faithfully by Rich’s side, a constant presence of love and strength, at the time of his passing.

Rich was the loving husband of 57 years to Patricia “Pat” Falato; devoted father of Joshua Falato of Hoboken, Bree Falato and her husband Terry Kelly of Hoboken; cherished grandfather of Samantha Falato, Dean Falato, and Vincent Falato all of Wayne; Shane Kelly, Damon Kelly, and Sophie Kelly all of Hoboken; he was the loved brother of John Falato, James Falato, and Evelyn Wedel all of Tucson, AZ.

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In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Avow Hospice would be greatly appreciated. You can click on the blue text to redirect you to their donation pages.