June 22, 1937 - November 27, 2024
LAVERNE F. PANGRAZIO, JR., of Wesley Chapel, Florida, passed away November 27, 2024. He was born June 22, 1937 to his parents Laverne F. and Anita Pangrazio where he grew up in Elba, NY as part of a very large family, being known to his siblings as “Brother or Vern”. Laverne started as a mechanic at Ray Hart’s garage and was introduced to stock car racing in the early 1960’s. Once he got behind the wheel, there was no stopping his passion for the sport. Anyone that knew Laverne, saw his natural talent in a race car. Some of his major accomplishments were rookie of the year, championship titles, Mini Stock World Championship in Daytona, Florida, Four Score Hall of Fame, and over two hundred feature wins. Laverne raced on dirt tracks and asphalt tracks, often in the same season. He entertained many fans over his thirty-five year history in racing.
Laverne worked for Sakrete in Batavia, where he retired after forty years of hard work driving truck and eventually managing the shop. He was a lifetime member of the Stafford Fire Department and a member of the Stafford United Methodist Church. He was a man of faith and devoted much of his later years caring for his wife while putting his needs last.
He married his wife, Jane DeYoung Pangrazio, in 1971 and they raised their children as a blended family in both Elba and Stafford, NY. He was a kind, loving husband and father that taught all the right lessons when needed. He led by example, would give you the shirt off his back, and kept a warm inviting home for the family. He is predeceased by his devoted wife of forty-six years, Jane Elizabeth, who died in 2018. He is also predeceased by his parents and sister, Beverly Brown and husband Thomas Brown, his brothers Calvin Pangrazio, Cary Pangrazio and Terry Pangrazio, along with sister-in-law, Kathy Pangrazio. He will also be joining his good friend in Heaven, Bill Shea.
Surviving are his sons, Laverne (Debra) F. Pangrazio III of Leroy, Gary (Betsy) Farnsworth of Wesley Chapel FL, and Brian (Lynda) Farnsworth of Alexander, daughters Laurie Chamberlin of Batavia and Crystal (Bob) Nelson of S. Byron; siblings Bernard (Joan) Pangrazio, John (Pat) Pangrazio, Charlene (E.James) Worthington, Charles (Marge) Pangrazio, Alvin (Nancy) Pangrazio, Gary (Sandy) Pangrazio, Larry (Chris) Pangrazio, June (Doug) Boldt, Keith (Brenda) Pangrazio and sister-in-laws Cathy Pangrazio and Lorraine Pangrazio, along with many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren .
Also surviving are his beloved grandchildren, Josh (Kelsey & Noah) Farnsworth, Jacob Farnsworth, Kyle Pangrazio, Becky (Mark) Robbins, Courtney Pangrazio, Sarah (Aaron) Johnson, Nicholas (Samantha) Farnsworth, Mark Farnsworth, Zachary (Leah) Chamberlain, Ashley Chamberlain, Jillian (Ed) Engle, and Colton (Hannah) Cole. He will be sadly missed by his life-long best friends, Sam and Marge Noah, along with Jacky and Skip Smith who will always be family.
This large family is mostly going to miss the phone calls to hear his voice, the honesty and truth that he would spell out to you, the heartwarming love and care he gave all his dogs, especially Mr. Buffington.
A Christian service will be held for Laverne in Florida early January of 2025. The family will then have a celebration of life in New York at a later date to be determined and announced.