Pasquale Pace, 78, of Marlboro, passed away Tuesday surrounded by his family.

Pasquale was born and raised in Bari and immigrated to The United States when he was 17 years old. When he arrived here, he went to Brooklyn Community College at night to take classes and also learn English. After school he would take construction jobs, learning the trade and eventually starting his own company, PJ Construction, laying foundation for homes and buildings.

Pasquale would meet the love of his life, Letizia, at a supermarket, the two would marry on November 16^th, 1974, and start their family in Brooklyn, having three kids there then moved to Staten Island and had 2 more children. Pasquale loved animals, especially horses, he would end up owning 20 or more horses in his lifetime. His passion for horses came from growing up on the Olive farms in Italy with horses all around. He owned many farms in his life for the horses in Clinton and throughout Sussex County, he even moved his family to Marlboro years later for more land for the horses and he loved to ride in his horse and buggy. He also loved dump trucks, the color red, making his own wine, and having guests over his house. You would never leave his home hungry, and he kept a strict schedule of fish on Friday, Steak on Saturday, and sauce on Sunday. He showed respect to everyone and in turn everyone showed it to him.

Pasquale is survived by his wife Letizia Pace; his children Milena Collins and her husband Edward, Patricia Roveccio and her husband Rocco, Giovanna Pace and her husband Vincent Mazzei, Girolomo Pace and his wife Vanessa, and Robert Pace and his wife Nicole; his siblings Lillino Pace and his wife Vitina and Mario Pace and his wife Maria; and his beloved grandchildren Giovanna and her fiancé Anthony, Justin, Michael, Joseph, Giulianna, Camilla, Nico, Rocco, Pasquale, Karina, and Lorenzo.

Visitation will be Friday, February 23^rd from 1:00-3:00 PM and 6:00-9:00 PM at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733.  A mass of Christian burial will be offered Saturday, February 24^th at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Rd, Colts Neck. Entombment will follow at St. Gabriel’s Cemetery and Mausoleum.