Hillsborough's Culinary Creations Owner Dies At Age 50

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Hillsborough community is mourning the loss of Culinary Creations owner Andrew R. Pantano, 50, who died suddenly on April 19 at his home.

Pantano of Hillsborough opened Culinary Creations at 434 Route 206 in 1995 where the business went on to cater thousands of events throughout New Jersey. Pantano was awarded best Weddings & Catering by the Knot from 2016-2021 and Wedding Wire from 2015-2021, according to his obituary at kearnsfuneralhome.com.

"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," according to his obituary.

In October 2015 Pantano had the honor to cater for the Pope's visit. During the coronavirus pandemic, he created a donation link to help feed all the frontline workers. He also delivered free meals to Hillsborough seniors who were unable to get out.

He also 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," according to his obituary.

Pantano 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.

A visitation will be held this coming Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Kearns Funeral Home, 103 Old Highway 28, Whitehouse. A private Funeral Mass will be held this coming Monday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 34 Yorktown Road, Hillsborough.

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

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to be made in memory of Pantanoat 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.

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