Heaven gained an angel Friday evening as the Honorable Anthony "Babe" Pagones passed away at Vassar Brothers Hospital surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old (and he looked good, God bless him!).

Born in Delhi, New York on July 29, 1931, Babe grew up in Beacon, New York and spent a good part of his early life working at his father's restaurant and ice cream shop, The Boston Candy Kitchen, which was Beacon's local teenage gathering place.

He went on to attend Cornell University and in 1952 he enlisted in the U.S. Army, being stationed in Korea for two years.

Pagones then attended Boston University School of Law and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1958. He worked as an Assistant District Attorney with the Dutchess County District Attorney's Office, and an Assistant Attorney General with the NYS Attorney Generals' Office.

Having grown up in Beacon, it comes as no surprise that he dedicated his life to serving the people and places of the area.

He was appointed the Assistant Beacon City Court Judge from 1981 to 1985. In 1986 he was elected as the Beacon City Court Judge and maintained that position until 1997.

In addition to serving as the Attorney for the City of Beacon School District, and for the City of Beacon, he acted as legal counsel for many other charitable and volunteer organizations.

Babe's story would be incomplete without mention of Francois R. Cross. On April 1, 1968, he and Cross formed Pagones & Cross, LLC. Together as colleagues and long-time, devoted friends, they built a long-standing and distinguished community practice and took pride in saying the partnership was formed and existed on a handshake.

Babe met his wife Felicia Spinapolice when she came to work with him at the Boston Candy Kitchen during their college years. Apparently, Babe had more on his mind than just mixing milk shakes, and they were married in 1959.

Babe was a family man, and could often be seen at the head of the dinner table, dressed in a sweater vest and loafers and saying, "I'm sure you're wondering why I gathered you here today."

He is survived by his wife, Felicia; his two sons, Steven and Timothy, and their wives Julie and Susan; his nine grandchildren; his sister, Perci, and her husband, El.

Whether holding a gavel in his hand or putting a pen to paper, Babe thought of his clients, defendants, and mere acquaintances as his family, and always went out of his way to make sure his people were taken care of.

It is fitting then that even post-mortem, Babe would like to help others – in lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to Saint Basil Academy in Garrison.

Calling hours will be held at McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill, on Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Prayer services will be offered at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The funeral will be held at Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church, 140 S. Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie, on Wednesday at 1 p.m. The internment will be private at the convenience of the family.

For directions, online condolences, and memorial donations, please visit Babe's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.