Obituary of Patrick Le Grande

Patrick Le Grande, 83, of Mahwah, formerly of Paramus, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2016 surrounded by his loving family. Patrick was affectionately known as “Junior” by his family and friends. He was born in New York, NY and had resided in Paramus before moving to Mahwah in 1997. Patrick and his wife, Angela, are parishioners of St. Elizabeth RC Church in Wyckoff. He was a US Army veteran, serving our country proudly during the Korean War. Patrick’s work ethic was instilled in him at a very young age when he began working for his father’s business, NY Auto Body in Little Ferry. He went on to establish his own auto body repair and collision shop, Pat’s Grove, in South Hackensack where he worked every day until the time of his passing. Patrick also was co-owner of Jalby Construction Company with his son-in-law John in Mahwah, NJ. Patrick was the beloved and adored husband of 62 years to Angela (nee Polsi) Le Grande, who will miss him with all of her heart. Patrick met the love of his life when he was 17 and she was 13. They were childhood sweethearts who were never apart. He was also the loving father of Thea Le Grande, Lisa Benigno and her husband John, and Patricia Vesce and her husband Anthony Jr., all of Mahwah. His legacy as a grandfather will live on in the hearts of his six grandchildren; Alyssa, Danielle and Johnny Benigno, Anthony P. and Julianne Vesce, and his “little buddy” Patrick G. Le Grande. Also surviving Patrick are his two sisters Joan Toriello and her husband Al of Franklin, Linda Ellis and her husband Kevin of Wyckoff, and his sister-in-law Marie Cantelmo of Manasquan, as well as an endless number of nieces and nephews. Patrick was predeceased by his parents, Patrick and Theresa Le Grande and his brother Frank Le Grande. He will also be remembered by all of his special friends who visited him daily at the shop. Patrick will be greatly missed and never forgotten. The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 9th from 4:00-8:00 PM and on Sunday, April 10th from 2:00-6:00 PM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home, www.vpfh.com, 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 11th beginning with prayers at the funeral home at 10:00 AM followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 AM at St. Elizabeth RC Church, 700 Wyckoff Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Patrick’s name may be made to The Justin Patrick Cruz Memorial Scholarship Foundation, 1405 Winesap Drive, Manasquan, NJ 08736.