Patrick Joseph Fagan

Patrick Joseph Fagan “Coach Pat”  /  December 1, 1957 – September 20, 2025

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Patrick Joseph Fagan (Coach Pat), beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, coach, and friend, who passed away on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the age of 67.

Patrick was born on December 1, 1957, in Newark, NJ, to Richard Fagan Sr. and Marcella Carlucci Fagan. He grew up in the Vailsburg section of Newark and graduated from Vailsburg High School with the Class of 1977. He briefly attended Miami Dade College before transferring to Monmouth University to pursue his passion for baseball. Following college, Patrick played minor league baseball with the Utica Blue Sox.

After his playing days ended, Patrick began his coaching career at Vailsburg High School and East Side High School in Newark. He later moved his family to Florida, where he continued coaching baseball and enjoyed playing golf year-round. A gifted athlete, he played both football and baseball, earning numerous honors, titles, and records throughout his life. In 1976, he led Vailsburg to a City League Championship. He was selected to the All-City Baseball Team for three consecutive years in high school and still holds Monmouth University’s single-season RBI record. In 2017, Patrick was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame in recognition of his remarkable accomplishments in sports.

Patrick is survived by his wife of 26 years, Tracy Fagan (née O’Shea); his son, Richard R. Fagan, and his wife Caitlin, along with their daughter, Kennedy Ann Fagan; his daughter, Kimberly Johnston, and her husband Tyler, and their children, Evelynn and Marlin Johnston; and his son, William Fagan. He is also survived by his father, Richard Fagan Sr.; his brother, Richard Fagan Jr.; and his sister, Gina Geroldi, and her husband Armando. Patrick was a proud uncle to Gabrielle Falkman and her husband Gary, Nicholas, Jonathan, Joseph, and Armando Geroldi, and Adam and Abigail Fagan, as well as great-uncle to Giavanna and Gillianna Falkman. He will also be missed by many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, former players, and fellow coaches.

He was predeceased by his mother, Marcella Carlucci Fagan, and his niece, Jacqualine Geroldi.

Patrick’s life was deeply rooted in family, community, and the game he loved—baseball. Known and respected throughout New Jersey and South-Central Florida, he devoted his life to mentoring young athletes and inspiring excellence, both on and off the field. His leadership, sense of humor, generous heart, and unwavering commitment left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.

At the time of his passing, Patrick was the proud owner and head coach of the South Florida Bandits, who recently concluded their season with an extraordinary 41-2 record and were crowned the 2025 Prospect Wire National Champions.

A memorial visitation will be held at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, NJ on Saturday, October 11th from 12-3pm, including a prayer service at 2:45pm.  (The family requests that attendees wear something baseball related to honor Pat) 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to support the South Florida Bandits baseball team—to help ensure Patrick’s love and passion for the game and his players continue to live on. #BanditBoyz

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