Dr. Alan John Pasarell, age 74, of Bronx, New York, passed away in the evening on June 22, 2025, realizing eternal rest after a long battle with lung disease. Born on January 17, 1951, he was a cherished son of the late Anna Ristuccia Schoffel, the late Alfonso Pasarell, and Howard Schoffel.
Alan's journey on this earth was one marked by curiosity, love, and learning. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his family, friends, and many more whose lives were touched by him. We ask that you remember him not for the way his life ended, but for the joys he found in his many healthy years, and for the profound impact it had on the lives of his loved ones.
Alan's memory lives on with his father Howard Schoffel, former wife Sherrie Pasarell, sister Marianne Gold, brother Michael Schoffel, brother-in-law Harvey Gold, sister-in-law Miki Yoshiura, sister Dolores Rosner, daughters Jill and Rita Pasarell, son-in-law Jerry Riedl, cousins Jeanette Katz, Marguerite Permenter, Charlie Nostra, Gerard Nostra, Henry Ristuccia, Lucille Hunt, niece Alexandra Gold, nephew Sonny Gold, and also many other family members who shared in his life and who will remember him well.
He had a vibrant and active childhood, enjoying many sports including baseball, traveling, and long Sunday dinners with his large family. Alan attended Bronx High School of Science and graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School. After graduating from SUNY Buffalo, and majoring in English, Alan was an English teacher until he attended and graduated from SUNY College of Optometry, becoming Dr. Alan Pasarell, Doctor of Optometry. At his optometry school graduation, he received the 1982 Award for Clinical Excellence.
Alan loved spending time with family, camping, old cars, old Westerns, Dracula and Frankenstein movies, radio talk shows, the Twilight Zone, Stephen King books, his dogs Elmo, Spock, Angel, Buddy, and Cora, his cat Romeo, being in nature, and hearing about the interests of his loved ones. Some of his favorite music to listen to included the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
Those who knew Alan will remember him for his love of his family as well as his love for laughter, his free spirit, and his generous and lively soul.
He delighted in sharing his knowledge, especially with his daughters, teaching them how to identify constellations, trees, and pink eye.
We can be sure he is still drinking coffee and wisdom.
Although we may no longer see Alan's physical presence, his spirit will continue to inspire and guide us. May his memory be a blessing.
The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of Dr. Alan John Pasarell will be held on June 29, 2025 between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bronx, New York.
The family will accept flowers, or donations in his name can be made to the following organizations:
Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation
American Lung Association
Foundation Fighting Blindness