« CVS trial: Ex-PR chief recalls preparing 'talking points' | Today | Update: Medicaid cap plan could affect 186,000+ RIers »

May 23, 2008

Pagano funeral: One last trip through the neighborhood

CRANSTON -- The funeral procession came through Jimmy Pagano's old neighborhood in Garden City and it brought the neighborhood to a standstill as his casket was led and surrounded by Cranston firefighters and the Rhode Island Professional Firefighters Pipes and Drums Corps.

As the procession came to the church it passed by the Garden City Barbershop, where people stood quietly and watched them pass.

Outside the Canston-Johnston Catholic Regional School, students and teachers stood in silence, some of the children had their hands over their hearts.

The police have charged Nicholas Gianquitti, 40, with murdering Pagano after the neighbors allegedly had a dispute. A District Court judge Wednesday ordered Gianquitti held without bail.

As the procession neared the Church of St. Mark, firefighters from all over the state stood at attention. Cranston firefighters lined either side of the walkway into the church.

As the casket was brought in by six Cranston firefighters who'd been closest to Pagano, the Cranston firefighters on either side of the aisle raised their white gloves in a salute. Pagano's family walked behind the mahogany casket, some of them bursting into tears. Pagano was a married father of two.

"What's the worst is seeing the family," said retired Providence fire investigator Bob Jarvis, a drummer in the pipes and drums corps. "The whole thing is just tragic. It was senseless."

Outside an old friend watched in awe. Greg Mancini, of North Kingstown, had grown up with Pagano as one of the "Garden City boys," their homes only a few streets away.

Mancini said he had stood in line at the wake last night for his old friend for two hours. Pagano's death has brought together many people. Some of his old friends had flown in from all across the country to be here.

"The whole thing is unfortunate and unecessary," Mancini said.

Firefighters from Cranston, Providence, Bristol, Coventry and elsewhere paid respects yesterday at Pagano's wake.

From The Journal: More about Pagano and the shooting.

-- Journal staff writers Amanda Milkovits and Tom Mooney

Posted by Brandie Jefferson  at 11:53 AM | Permalink

Comments

Robert White | May 23, 2008 11:48 AM link

Debbie Boory | May 23, 2008 1:34 PM link

jean | May 24, 2008 9:16 AM link

janet | May 26, 2008 7:03 PM link

dave | May 27, 2008 9:36 AM link

Post a comment

Please be civil. Vicious comments, personal attacks and profanity won't be published. Name and email are required; email address will not publish.

Name:

Email Address:

URL:
Remember Me? YesNo

Comments: (you may use HTML tags for style)