Gerard J. Pregenzer, Jr., M.D.,
Westfield High School, Class of 1997
December 21, 1978 – January 14, 2026
Gerard J. Pregenzer, Jr., M.D., age 47, of West Hartford, Connecticut, beloved husband of Tania Papayannopoulou-Pregenzer, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Hartford Hospital. His unexpected passing has left his family, friends, colleagues, and patients heartbroken and devastated.
Gerard was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey, and was the son of Gerard J. Pregenzer, Sr., M.D., and Linda (Colucio) Pregenzer. He grew up in Westfield, New Jersey and graduated from Westfield High School,’97.
An eternal student with wide-ranging talents, Gerard earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from SUNY Purchase and his Master’s of Arts in Music & Music Education from Teachers College Columbia University. He later pursued his calling in medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from UMDNJ in Newark, New Jersey. He completed his residency in Urology at the University of Connecticut, where he would go on to build an exceptional career.
Gerard was the head of Pregenzer Urology and served as an attending physician at St. Francis Hospital and the University of Connecticut. He was a dedicated and highly respected teacher, beloved by the urology residents he mentored. A devoted urologist, he practiced medicine with compassion, skill, and integrity. He was known not only for his clinical excellence, but for the genuine care and humanity he showed to every patient and colleague. For Gerard, medicine was not simply a profession—it was a calling.
Outside of medicine, Gerard lived life with passion and energy. He was an avid athlete who embraced challenge and discipline. He was a gifted musician who found joy, creativity, and expression through music. Whatever he pursued, he brought enthusiasm, curiosity, and warmth.
He really enjoyed spending quality time with his two sons and his wife, building special moments, growing together, and sharing life together, reading books, bowling, playing basketball, swimming, cooking, going to baseball games, playing board games, watching movies together, walking the dogs, exercising, attending concerts and traveling. Above all else, Gerard was a devoted son, husband, father, and brother. He is survived by his beloved wife, Tania; his two sons, Dino and Mario Pregenzer; his parents; his brother, Joseph Pregenzer, and his wife, Arianni; and his sister, Laura Crouthamel, and her husband, Andrew. He was predeceased by his brother, Justin Pregenzer. His family was the center of his world, and his love, guidance, and presence will live on through them.
Gerard will be remembered for his kindness, intellect, humor, and unwavering dedication to both his family and his patients. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of service, love, and inspiration.
To share a memory of Gerard, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com. Memorial donations to assist the Pregenzer family may be made through the following link. The family is deeply grateful for the community’s love and support during this time: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support- the-pregenzer-family-aftergerards- sudden-passing
