Blaine Papaccio passed away on May 21, 2024 with his family by his side after a brave battle with glioblastoma. He was 76 years old. Born and raised in Bayonne, NJ, Blaine was the oldest child of the late Pasquale (Pat) and Teresa Papaccio (née Iazzetta). He was a graduate of Roosevelt School, Marist High School and Jersey City State College.

Blaine taught science and math at Ridgefield Park Junior/Senior High School for nearly 40 years. He was a football referee with the New Jersey Football Officials Association (NJFOA) for decades, and he served as the NJFOA rules interpreter (a role he relished).  With summers off, he became a jack of all trades. He was a mechanic at Harrington's. He worked at Maxwell House in Hoboken, NJ. He drove tour buses for Domenico Tours all over the country. He umpired softball. He was a security guard. He taught drivers ed. He landscaped. He was a lifeguard at the Bayonne Y.M.C.A. He was a school bus driver. He was a limo driver. (The list of jobs is long, and we are probably forgetting some of them!) In his spare time (ha!), he was a true fitness fanatic and one of his favorite parts of his day was walking with his dear friends at Hudson County Park. And let's not forget swimming, biking and lifting weights at the Y. He made us tired just listening to his list of daily activities. With every new job and adventure, Blaine picked up great friends and stories along the way.

Blaine loved planning trips and traveling. We had a lot of adventures, particularly at the national parks. He loved watching sports. He traveled far and wide to watch his grandson play hockey – a constant in the stands. (He would travel far and wide to watch his grandson do anything, actually!) He loved the house in Lake George and taking rides on the boat. He enjoyed having visitors at the lake and being with family and friends. He loved doing yard work and fixing things, especially if you helped (and did it his way)! He never sat still. He checked in frequently. He was a man who liked lists and making plans. He was always going somewhere to meet someone for a bite – breakfast, lunch or dinner, he was available. He liked food top ten lists (pizza, hot dogs, gelato) – he and his buddy Rich would try them all and rate them. (Remind us to tell you the story about his visit to Totonno's in Brooklyn.) He was good at telling funny stories. He had seemingly endless energy. We could go on and on.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 54 years, Lynne Papaccio(née McInenly), his daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Brian Edwards, his grandson and the apple of his eye, Tim Edwards, his brothers, James Papaccio and Patrick (Kate) Papaccio, his aunts, Marie DeVente, Madeline Iazzetta and Angie Falcicchio, and countless cousins, nieces and nephews, including Richard, Sue and Leah McCusker, Nina DeNicola, Joe Papaccio, Diane and Danny Percella, the Harrington boys (Chuck (Laura Leigh), Danny (Jill) and Greg (Jenny)) and the Williams kids (Eddie(Laurie), Michael (Maribeth), Laura and Kim (Mark)). We are blessed to have such a caring family that visited him, checked in and prayed for him and us through this ordeal. Thank you.

Blaine had friends everywhere, all of whom have been incredibly helpful, loving and kind. We are eternally grateful to Mary Maresca, Rich McCusker, Sharon Smith, Leo and ArleneCampbell, Eneas Mulcahy, Billy Napier, Louis Mattielli, Bill Dryer, Sam and Irene Masczko, Ronnie Iglesias (and all of Betty's boys), Stu Dym, the NJFOA friends (Hank, Dave, Bob, Joe and Al, to name a few), his Secaucus friends, his Lake George buddies (Dave, Glen, Steve and Gene), the Ridgefield Park crew and countless others who visited him at home or in the hospital or simply called or texted to check in on him and us. Every outreach meant a lot to all of us. Special thanks to Dr. Dominick Condo and Dr. Herbert I. Katz, whose friendship, guidance and support helped all of us through this most difficult time, and to Nina Kharatishvili, whose caring, dedication and kindness kept us going.

And Lynne and Jane would be remiss if they didn't thank their many friends and colleagues – too many to mention – whose kindness, willingness to listen, support, smarts and ability to make us laugh have been a blessing. Your visits, calls, emails, pings and texts always made us smile. Thank goodness we have you.

Blaine was a very lucky man, and we were likewise very lucky to have had him as ours. We all wish we had more time. He will be sorely missed.

A wake will be held at Migliaccio Funeral Home, 851 Kennedy Boulevard, Bayonne, NJ 07002 on Thursday, May 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, May 24 from 6-8 p.m. A funeral mass will be held at St. Henry's Church on Tuesday, May 28 at 10:45 a.m., with family and friends gathering at the funeral home beginning at 9:45 a.m. Condolences may be sent to The Papaccio Family, 475 Avenue E, Bayonne, NJ 07002 or The Edwards Family, 22 Seneca Road, Ossining, NY 10562. Should you wish to honor Blaine's memory, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A link is provided on the website.