Obituary of Pasquale A. Ignaffo
Pasquale “Pat” Ignaffo, 91, passed away peacefully on October 29, 2017, surrounded by family at home in Poughkeepsie, where he was a lifelong resident.
Pat was born on April 8, 1926, in East White Plains, NY, to Anthony and Josephine (Abbagnato) Ignaffo. Pat and his brother Anthony, lost their Dad and sister Florence at a very young age. Subsequently their mother became ill and they were placed at St. Joseph’s Home of Peekskill in 1934, where they lived for six years. His teen years were spent in a foster home in Highland, NY where he was a farmworker. Despite these early hardships, Pat grew into a very sweet man with a strong work ethic. Pat met and married the love of his life, Monique “Monica” Boudreau at Schatz Federal Bearings in Poughkeepsie, where they both worked. They were married on July 30, 1950. They raised three sons in a warm and cozy home on Innis Avenue, where Pat still lived. After Schatz’s, Pat worked for the Town of Poughkeepsie Highway Department for many years until his retirement, and previously served in the United States National Guard Reserves.
Pat was always willing to help others either by encouragement or rolling up his sleeves and pitching in. He loved to paint and you could always find him painting a family member’s or friend’s home. During his retirement years, he loved to paint ceramics, which he enjoyed giving as gifts. Pat and Monica loved to travel, going out to dance, and playing cards. He enjoyed Club 60, Tri-town, and Riverbank Banjo Band, and could talk to anyone about anything.
Pat was a proud member of the Italian Center in Poughkeepsie, where he enjoyed meeting and eating with friends, and was a communicant of Holy Trinity Church. He also loved animals and had a special connection with his and his family’s dogs. Pat’s primary passion, however, was always his family, of whom he was very proud; he dearly loved his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Pat was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Monique Boudreau Ignaffo, his brother Anthony and his sister Florence. Pat leaves behind three sons: Dominick Ignaffo and spouse Deborah of Rhinebeck, Michael Ignaffo and spouse Tricia Martin Ignaffo of Hyde Park, and Thomas Ignaffo and partner Stephanie Moore of Pleasant Valley. Pat has 9 grandchildren: Michael Ignaffo of Santa Rosa, CA, Corrie Bohn and spouse John of Poughkeepsie, Timothy Ignaffo and spouse Sarah Roe-Ignaffo of Manhattan, Thomas Ignaffo Jr. and spouse Meghan of Wethersfield, CT, Kevin Ignaffo and spouse Karen of Hyde Park, Andrew Ignaffo and his fiance Courtney Betsill of Alpharetta, GA, Katherine Heise and spouse Michael of Washington, D.C., Tanner Martin Ignaffo of Hyde Park, and Shannon Martin Ignaffo of Hyde Park; and 11 great-grandchildren.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Pat’s many long-time caregivers; with their loving care and assistance, he was able to remain in his home of 61 years.
Calling hours will be held Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 3 pm to 7 pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, New York. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:15 am Friday, November 3 at Holy Trinity Church. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the charity of your choice in Pat’s name.
