Beloved Husband, Father, and Rodeo Enthusiast Tom Pagnano Passes Away

Tom Pagnano, a devoted husband and family man from California, passed away on April 30, 2012, due to complications from his battle with cancer. Born in New York, he moved to California at the age of eight and grew up in San Jose. After graduating from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1970, Pagnano attended San Jose State University before transferring to Humboldt State, where he earned a B.S. in Range Management in 1977.

Pagnano's early career included working for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Winnemucca, Nevada, where he developed a passion for the state and its people. In 1978, he joined IBM, followed by stints at Excel Datacom and Nevada Midrange Systems in the 1990s. Pagnano eventually transitioned to a career as a Financial Advisor, working for Dain Rauscher from an unknown date until 2003, when he joined Wells Fargo.

Outside of his professional life, Pagnano was an avid enthusiast of rodeo, flying, music, and the outdoors. He held a PRCA Gold Card and served as First Vice President of the Reno Rodeo in 2012. A pilot since 1982, Pagnano achieved the rank of Lt. Col. in the Civil Air Patrol in the 1990s, playing a key role in establishing their headquarters at the Reno-Tahoe Airport.

Pagnano is survived by his loving wife, Julie Gallio; parents Gaetano (Tom) and Mary Pagnano; siblings Margaret Ware (Frank), Bill, and extended family members. He will be deeply missed by his loved ones and many friends.