Obituary of Andrew R Pantano

Andrew R Pantano, age 50 of Hillsborough, New Jersey, died suddenly on Monday, April 19, 2021 at his home.

Born in Union, New Jersey, he was the son of the late Natale Pantano and Joanne (Roberto) Lizardi. Andrew grew up and lived in Whitehouse Station before moving to Hillsborough.

Andrew was a 1991 graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY.  In 1995 he opened his pride and joy, Culinary Creations in Hillsborough. Through Andrew’s guidance and expertise Culinary Creations catered thousands of events throughout New Jersey.   Andrew was awarded best Weddings & Catering by the Knot from 2016-2021 and Wedding Wire from 2015-2021.  Andrew was an exclusive caterer at the Red Mill in Clinton, opened BBQ434 in Stockton in August of 2018 and recently took over the food division at the Fox Hollow Golf Course in Branchburg.  While he was a great businessman he was also a selfless person who helped not only his family but strangers as well.  When Katrina hit Louisiana, he packed up a freezer truck and went down there to feed the hungry. In October of 2015 he had the honor & privilege to cater for the Pope’s visit.  Andrew was blessed with many things.  With this last year of Covid, he fought long and hard to keep everything going.  Andrew was deeply rooted in the community; he started a donation link which enabled him to feed all the frontline workers.  For the Hillsborough Seniors that were not able to get out, he delivered free meals to ensure they were fed.  He partnered with St Joseph’s church and offered consolation meals to those that were losing loved ones.  Andrew was a blessing to so many, especially his Family.  Family was everything to Andrew.

Andrew is survived by his mother, Joanne and her husband, Mark, his wife, JoAnn and his three children, Brandon, Brianna, and Andrew.  He is also survived by his two brothers, Joseph and Natale and his wife, Gretta and his sister, Virginia Neering and her husband, John. 

Friends may visit with the family on  Sunday, May 2, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse.

A Private Funeral Mass will be held Monday, May 3, 2021 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Church, 34 Yorktown Road, Hillsborough. The Funeral Mass will be livestreamed and can be accessed by clicking the following link:

https://youtu.be/CVqlUXhJixo

Interment will be in St. Bernard's Cemetery, Bridgewater.

Andrew was such a loving and giving person that in lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations to IN MEMORY OF at www.inmemof.org/andrew-r-pantano   for a scholarship fund in Andrew’s honor to help another person with the passion to pursue Culinary Art at the Culinary Institute of America.