Cranston firefighters gather before lining up two-by-two to offer their condolences to the family of Lt. James Pagano.

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The Providence Journal / Gretchen Ertl

CRANSTON –– They were waiting before the doors opened to pay their respects to Fire Lt. James A. Pagano.

There were Cranston firefighters, standing together in their dress uniforms and white gloves. Fire chiefs and firefighters from across the state took their places in line, along with solemn mourners –– families, friends, those who’d known 44-year-old Pagano since he was a boy — all standing quietly under a cloudy sky yesterday afternoon.

The line of mourners, more than 100 deep during the first hour of Pagano’s wake, stretched around the Nardolillo Funeral Home and past the American flag at half-staff. One word was repeated down the line, in whispers and with shaking heads: Tragedy.

Pagano and his family had been hosting a birthday party for his son at their home on Daisy Court on Sunday when a tennis ball the children were playing with ended up on the property of a neighbor, Nicholas Gianquitti, according to the police chief. After Gianquitti had words with the children, the police said, Pagano went to talk to him. It escalated to a physical confrontation, and Gianquitti shot Pagano to death in the street, the chief said.

Gianquitti is being held without bail on a charge of murder.

Pagano’s family and friends were left planning his funeral. Down the street at Fitzpatrick’s Pub, where the sign read “Forever in Our Hearts Jimmy Pagano,” some of his childhood friends worked on the eulogy for the funeral today.

At the wake, Pagano was remembered as kind, cheerful, and loving toward his friends and family. He leaves a wife, a daughter and a son.

“He was a great guy, the ultimate family guy,” said retired Cranston Deputy Fire Chief James Moore, who had worked with Pagano for several years at Fire Station 3, where Pagano’s family often visited.

“He was always laughing,” said retired Cranston Fire Chief Robert J. Warren, recalling how everyone would know Pagano was in the building because they could hear his laugh. “He lit up the hallway. He was never, ever in a bad mood.”

Anthony Ferri of Cranston, who’s been friends with Pagano’s father, Anthony, since grade school, was one of the first at the wake. The two men have seen each other’s children grow up. Ferri has two sons, both a little older than James Pagano.

Yesterday, the two old friends hugged each other. And then, Ferri said that Anthony Pagano told him: Kiss your children every chance you get.

Pagano’s funeral is today at 10 a.m. at St. Mark Church, in the Garden City neighborhood of Cranston. He will be buried in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston.

amilkovi@projo.com