René Pagoaga, 96

René Pagoaga, formerly of West Acton, Maynard, and Acton, passed away September 29, 2025, at age 96, after living a long, full life marked by love, quiet strength, and determination. His family takes immense comfort knowing he has been reunited in heaven with his wife and soulmate, Tina Pagoaga, after a long nine years apart since her death in 2016. They are together again, together for eternity

He was born on December 12, 1928, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. René never forgot where he came from. The values instilled early in his life remained the foundation of who he was for the next 96 years. He was the son of the late Guillermo Pagoaga and Tomaza Turcious Acosta. His father was a colonel in the Honduran army, and as a result, René attended the best military schools. He was one of eight brothers and sisters, all of whom he was especially close with, but he and his older brother Oscar were inseparable.

René’s childhood and teenage years were full of incredible adventures and excitement.  One of his favorite memories was when he met his idol, President John F. Kennedy, during a presidential visit to Honduras. He was so proud of being a “Catracho,” which is a loving way to say someone is from Honduras. During this time, he met the love of his life, Tina, while they worked for the same dry-cleaning company. It was love at first sight, and he called her his “Sarca” due to Tina’s hazel eyes. Together, they decided to move to the United States to embark on a new and exciting chapter in life. After living in Miami for a few years, the couple settled in Acton and focused on family life. One of his favorite early memories in America was buying a Volkswagen bug. He loved that car.

His son, René, and his daughter, Liz, remember with gratitude how responsible and loving their father was. He brought them to this great country for a better education and a fulfilling life. Through great sacrifice, hard work and dignity, René always put his family first. They received their unexpected bundle of joy with the birth of their daughter Maya in 1968.

His strong work ethic never wavered. Throughout his professional life, René worked for Emerson Hospital, Lund Products, and Dovre Ski Binding, where he met his favorite boss of all time, Henry Berlied, whom he affectionately called “Mr. Henry.” Mr. Berlied encouraged him to leave Dovre Ski Binding and pursue a career at Digital Equipment Corp. Coincidentally, Mr. Berlied was the grandfather of his son-in-law, Paul Berlied. René was employed at Digital for many years until a back injury, after which he recovered and worked at General Radio, where he decided to take an early retirement package.

Always a go-getter, René then decided to work part time at the Thoreau Club in Acton and then the Bedford VA Hospital, where he worked in the kitchen, developed wonderful friendships, and earned many employee of the month awards.

René and Tina enjoyed their five grandchildren while they were growing up and enjoyed their retirement years going on long car rides, going shopping, going to the beach with Maya, and enjoying life. René dedicated his entire life to Tina when she became ill. He took care of her better than any nurse or doctor. He truly embodied the sacred marital vow of “in sickness and in health.” René’s life changed forever when Tina passed away in 2016 from leukemia. For the past nine years, though his heart was broken without her, he found immense joy in spending time with Maya and Paul, especially for holidays, and all the outings such as breakfasts, dinners, museum visits, and going to the movies. He also enjoyed many events with his neighbors at Summer Hill Glen in Maynard, all of whom he considered family. He treasured spending time with his dear friend, Dolores Granato, during her special visits.

René could often be found enjoying a good book. He had a keen interest in reading the Boston Herald every day and autobiographies. If he penned his own life story, every chapter would be filled with meaning, a true testament to his life marked by purpose, perseverance, love, and compassion, lived out in everyday moments.

Rene is survived by his loving daughter and best friend Mireya “Maya” Pagoaga Berlied and his son-in-law, whom he considered a son, Paul Berlied of Acton; his devoted daughter Elizabeth “Liz” Nelson and her husband Jeff of Boxborough; and his beloved son, René G. “Tito” Pagoaga Jr. and his wife Sandra of Clinton. He also leaves behind five grandchildren Christopher Pagoaga and his husband Jeff, Jacob Pagoaga and his wife Joanna, Maya Elizabeth Pagoaga, Samantha Nelson, and Kristina Nelson; his great-grandchildren Emma, Kylie, and Jack; and his sister Silvia Gamez of Texas. He was a favorite brother-in-law (cunado), as well as a favorite uncle (tio) to a host of nieces and nephews in the United States and Honduras. René will be missed by many friends and neighbors. He was predeceased by his siblings Mario, Raul, Oscar, Alicia, Vilma, and Marina.

The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to Emerson Hospital; The Reservoir Center for Health & Rehabilitation; Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital; his primary care physician Dr. Arun Mukherjee; Life Care Center of Acton, with special thanks to Tammy Johnson, Catherine Dawson, Halie Rego, and their entire amazing staff; Emerson Health Center for Advanced Wound Care, especially Dr. Sandra Weakland and her wonderful team; Renee Gottlieb, his grief counselor,  who made house calls and cared for him; Dale and Hank Belied for making the “best dinners ever,” in his words, and their loving friendship for many years; Jan Richard and Virginia Cintron for their dinners, food, care, and neighborly love; Julie LaBonte for all of her kindness throughout the years; John Arena for all of his devoted friendship, support, and guidance; Kevin and Eileen Flannery for always showing him a great time at all their son’s Broadway shows at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School; Armando and Blanca Vasquez (deceased), Tina and René’s best friends (their compadres), and Maya’s godparents — many good times they shared; Dr. Elmer Purcell (deceased) and Dr. Seymour DiMare (deceased), his favorite doctors and dear friends; and Megan Connell of New England Hospice.

Private funeral services will be held at Dee Funeral Home. René will join Tina in eternal rest at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. A celebration of life for family and friends will be planned in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in René’s honor to support the LLS fundraising campaign in honor of his late wife, Tina: pages.lls.org/ltn/ma/BostonL25/tinastuesdaynightgirls. He was so proud of Maya and Paul’s dedicated charity work with the LLS for the past nine years. René helped with many of their yearly walks.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton.  To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence on René’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.