Angelo Pace

Angelo Pace, a man whose laughter was as infectious as his love for a well-spiced meatball, took his final bow on February 10, 2024, at the age of 85. Born on November 5, 1938, in Schenectady, NY, Angelo's booming voice and larger-than-life presence became a trademark that followed him all the way to Woodstock, GA, where he made his final curtain call due to a heart attack.

Angelo, known for his quick wit and an even quicker hand at the card table, was a beloved husband to Carol Ann Pace. He was the mastermind of family gatherings where his cooking would leave everyone begging for seconds, and sometimes thirds. He was the cherished brother of Ida Caranci, Annie Adams, the proud Father of Jeff, Richard, and Angelo Pace, the Stepfather to Robert Blaisdell and Renee Nagorny, and the Grandfather and Great-Grandfather to a boisterous brood of 15 Grandchildren and one Great-Grandchild. Each of them inherited a pinch of his humor and a heap of his warmth.

After strutting through the halls of Mont Pleasant High School, Angelo took to the skies with the Air Force, serving his country with the same dedication he would later pour into his meatballs. Post-military, he became a launch control engineer, a title that barely scratched the surface of his contributions. Angelo was there when the last Apollo mission kissed the stars goodbye and when the shuttle Atlantis bid the cosmos adieu. His work earned him accolades from the likes of United Space Alliance, NASA, Lockheed Martin, and Northrup Grumman, making him a veritable rock star in the aerospace world—minus the groupies and the leather pants.

When he wasn't orchestrating launches or perfecting his bolognese sauce, Angelo could be found shuffling cards, hitting bullseyes in target shooting, or traveling to family. His travels were less about the destinations and more about the people he could make smile along the way. Angelo's life was a testament to the power of bringing joy to others, a value he held as dearly as his collection of vintage playing cards.

Describing Angelo is easy: friendly, intelligent, loving. He was the kind of guy who could charm the socks off a snake and then convince it to play a round of poker. As Robin Williams once said, "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." Angelo not only kept his spark but fanned it into a wildfire of laughter and love that warmed everyone around him.

His legacy is not just in the metal birds he helped launch into the heavens, but in the hearts of those he lifted with humor and compassion. Angelo's laughter will echo in the halls of eternity, and his recipes will surely be a hit at the heavenly banquet.

In the words of the great Groucho Marx, "I intend to live forever, or die trying." Angelo Pace may have left the stage, but the encore of his influence will play on and on. Let's raise a glass, deal a hand, and share a story in honor of a man who lived life with a full deck, never leaving a single card unplayed. Here's to Angelo, a man who always knew that the most important things in life aren't things at all, but the joy we share with others. Rest in peace, dear friend, and may your laughter always be the wild card in the deck of eternity.