Eugene Pugliese passed away at home on January 12, 2019. He was 66. Born in Newark he lived many years in Clifton. Private arrangements are by the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home in Kearny.
Gene was a retired Federal Immigration Judge. Well known for his consensus building skills he was the chief architect of the 1986 Immigration Law, passed by both houses and signed into law by then President Ronald Reagan. Judge Pugliese was Chief Council to The House Sub Committee on Immigration in Washington D.C. for 16 years. He retired from The U.S. Department of Justice in Newark. He was a familiar face at his wife Lily Wang's Accupunture Center in Nutley. Gene's gentle humor was always apparent. He quipped "its good to know the law but better to know the judge".
Gene is survived by his wife Lily, his children Cara Jones and Kimberly Kelly, his step daughter Jessica Gordon. Brother of Leonard Pugliese he is also survived by his grandchildren Madeline and Everett and his four legged pals Rocco and Gino. In lieu of flowers kindly consider a donation to The A.S.P.C.A.