Maria “Mary” Gristina, age 90, of Tappan, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, April 16, 2020.  She was born June 21, 1929 in New York, the first of the five children of Piero and Rosa LoBello. Mary was raised and lived in a small town Sciara, Italy where she met and married her beloved husband Giuseppe Gristina. After their wedding, Mary and Giuseppe moved to New York where they started their family and life together. 

Mary is survived by her loving husband of 70 years Giuseppe “Joseph” Gristina. She was wonderfully devoted to her two children the late Ross Gristina and his wife Josephine and her daughter Phyllis Battaglia and her late husband Ignazio (Sal). 

Mary was a loving Grandmother to Michael and his wife Karolina, Maria Villani and her husband Michael, Danielle Ferraioli and her husband James, and grandson Joseph Gristina. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Julianna, Luca, Margaux, and Leo. 

The family expresses appreciation to all who comforted and cared for Mary in her last years, Antonia Vene and Orfie her devoted caregivers and Mindy Greene Bonodona her compassionate nurse. Thank you to Mary’s loving sister Josephine Woodley and her husband James, her brother-in-law Dominick Gristina and his wife Josephine and her brother-in-law Piero Scatena husband of her late sister Rose. She is also predeceased by her beloved brothers John LoBello and Dominick LoBello.

Mary was a parishioner of St. Catharine’s RC Church in Blauvelt, New York. She was a devout Roman Catholic who cherished family get-togethers. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, sewing, and shopping.  

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

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John J. Cahill, 67, of Norwood, NJ, formerly of Tappan, NY and Middle Village, NY, passed Thursday, April 16, 2020. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee Palumbo). Cherished father of Katherine Feeney and husband Matthew of Waccabuc, NY, Kristin Brescio and husband Christopher of Bedford, NY, Jacqueline Foschi and husband John Paul of Glen Cove, NY, Patricia Russell and husband James of Pearl River, NY and Megan Cahill of NYC. Proud grandfather of Lucy, Johnny, Jack, Bobby, Michael, Annie, Teddy, Helena, Grace, Georgia and Liliana. Dearest brother of James Cahill and wife Marie of Pearl River, Maryann Edler and husband William of Tappan, David Cahill and wife Ellen of Pearl River and the late Michael and Vicky Cahill. He was a beloved uncle to seventeen (17) nieces and nephews. John was a devoted husband and father and a loving grandfather to his eleven (11) grandchildren. His legacy and love of his family and lifelong friends will live on forever.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at a later date.

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Gerard deBlasi and MaryAnn deBlasi, died on Sunday, April 12, 2020 and Monday, April 13, 2020, respectively, as a result of complications from the Coronavirus. They are the beloved parents of Gerard, Jr. and his wife Kristine, Rita Nolan, Anita Conlan, Linda Bartus and her husband George and Elizabeth deBlasi. Proud grandparents of 14 grandchildren:  Kristen, Grayson, Gerry, Samantha, Katie, Michael, Angela, Emily, Thomas, Justin, Danny, Kyle, Madison, and Luke, and one great-grandchild, Gerry. Gerard is survived by two brothers, Henry and his wife Virginia, and Philip and his wife Mirna. MaryAnn is survived by her sister, Jayne Benz.

Gerard and MaryAnn enjoyed spending countless hours with their grandchildren, and loved to be surrounded by their family. 

Gerard was a librarian at Iona College for many years. He received two Masters degrees from Columbia University.  He was an avid reader of history and religion, a student of many languages, and a scholar of Italian history.  He loved to play and watch tennis.  He enjoyed travel to the Southwest and Europe, and enjoyed working in his garden.  MaryAnn was a devoted parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale, where she was very active and served in the past as a Eucharistic Minister.  For many years she was active in the community as a volunteer, in the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sparkill Fire Department, as a Girl Scout leader, and with Thorpe Village.

A Memorial Mass to celebrate their lives will be held at a later date to be announced.

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Margaret DaSaro, 91, of River Vale passed away on Monday  April 13, 2020 . Devoted wife of the late Alphonse DaSaro cherished mother of Denise Caragliano & Roy Sheppard, Gary & MaryGrace DaSaro. Loving Nanni of Vincent Caragliano, Jessica DaSaro, & Nicholas DaSaro. Beloved sister of Rose Falco, Dominick Drago & the late Mary Darrin. Dear Mother-in law of Vinnie Caragliano. Also Survived by many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Margaret loved meeting people and loved to dance. She loved going to prayer groups and had a special love for Father Jerry of Saint Anthony Parish in Northvale.

Margaret shared a very special Bond with the Apple of her Eye her Grandson Vincent!!!

Due to the current world health crisis funeral services are private. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital .       

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Morris Joseph Annunziato, 89, of Washington Township, passed away on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Beloved husband of Louise (nee Cecchini). Cherished father of Mark and wife Roseann of Warwick, NY and David and wife Jeannette of Mahwah. Proud grandfather of James, Matthew, Mark Jr., Christopher and Alyssa and three great-grandchildren. Dear brother of Peter of Norwood and brother-in-law of Barbara Brenner. Morris was predeceased by his first wife Margaret and his brother Frank.

Before retiring in 1998, Morris, aka CFOMOE, worked as Chief Fiscal Officer & Administrator in the health care field for over 50 years.

A Memorial Mass will be held Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale, NJ

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James R. Volk, 73, of New Milford, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2020.  Beloved husband of Linda (nee Gibson). Devoted father of Scott Volk and fiancé Bethany of Woodcliff Lake and Laurinda Ochse and husband Daniel of Northvale. Adored PopPop of Cassidy and Ryan. Dearest brother of Grace Wright and husband William and loving uncle of Hayley and Samantha. As well as his “adopted children” Kristen and Matt Caronia. He was also a loving grandfather to two grandpets, Shaymus and Daultry aka “Dumb Ass Cat”.

James was a manager at Shop Rite Liquors in New Milford and the Head Custodian of NMHS for many years before retiring. James was known for his sense of humor and his love of family vacations to Maine.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in James’ memory may be made to Autism Speaks.

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December 23, 1988 – April 1, 2020

Paul left us on April Fool’s Day in what was his most epic show of poor comedic timing yet. Always the first to make others laugh, even at his own expense, the irony will surely have us shaking our heads and saying “Oh, Paul!” for years to come.

Paul was a Closter native and graduate of Northern Valley Demarest (his kindness and charm served him well). He was a member of the Varsity Bowling Team partly for the love of sport, but mostly to spend more time with his best friend Matt eating bowling alley pizza. Although seemingly impossible, Paul brought every girl to prom and always got them home by curfew. Moms loved him! He had a childlike curiosity, an aversion to settling, and a slight case of A.D.D., which led him to various academic and professional endeavors. He ultimately found his niche as a Veterinary Technician and became New Jersey’s own, less famous, certainly less wealthy, but more adorable version of Steve Irwin through his daily animal posts.

One would be hard-pressed to find a picture of Paul without a smile, holding a baby, posing with a puppy, or locked in an embrace. To understand his personality is to understand each of the traits he truly embodied and the lessons he learned from those who made the most profound impact on his life:

Those he has since rejoined

(Pop-Pop) overwhelming amount of charisma, contagious laughter, and he really let Paul run with the ‘only grandson’ schtick, much to his sister and cousins’ chagrin (Nanny) love of art… which he found in the form of tattoos (Grandma) love of beer and calling on Dad for favors (Mom) tenderness and his first lesson in the brevity of life (Momma G) taught him that even through suffering, optimism and laughter are not only possible, but necessary.

Those who are left with his memory

(Dad) unwavering dedication to family, boundless love, quick wit, humility, and good looks (Kim) taught him that sometimes we learn more about humanity from those who aren’t human and encouraged his passion for helping animals (Kathleen “Loon”) taught him the ultimate expression of selfless love and faith, ever-willing participant in his jokes, gave him the luck of the Irish and a smack on the head when necessary (Molly) strength through adversity, tough but ever-present love, advocacy, an indescribable bond, took the heat off him (that one time) as the ‘trouble-child’ (Jasmin) the purest form of his love and happiness, Paul’s first experience with the awe of life and desire to protect his loved ones, taught him that whimsy should not be bound by age (Matt) fierce loyalty, unending levity, laughter, and shenanigans, taught him that sometimes the best brothers are the ones we choose.

Paul’s passing in the time of quarantine adds the touch of drama and shroud of mystery befitting his departure. Until we can come together again for a Celebration of Life, please pray for Paul and the Bodrato, Sharpnack, Kearns, Aballi, and Oliva families that will forever feel this void.

Carlos H. Fusillo, 70, of Old Tappan, died on Monday, April 6, 2020. Beloved husband of Clara (nee Puccio). Loving father of Jessica DeMarco and husband Michael, Brian Fusillo and wife Rebecca and Natali Freeling and husband Nicholas. Proud grandfather of seven grandchildren. Dear brother of Dr. Jose Fusillo.

Before retiring Carlos owned and operated an auto repair shop in Westwood. He was a devoted parishioner of St. Pius X Church in Old Tappan.

A memorial service will be celebrated at a later date.

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Piero Rossi passed away on April 5, 2020.  A loving husband, adoring father, devoted uncle and friend to many, he fell victim to COVID-19 complications.

Piero was born in Pisa, Italy in 1943 and moved to the United States when he was 23 years old.  Known for his exceptionally innovative thinking, Piero founded an international manufacturing business, Index Manufacturing, in Northvale, NJ with a sales force in the United States, Puerto Rico and Mexico.  Piero proudly ran his company, with his wife, Francine, until his retirement in 1999.

He was known for his MacGyver-like inventions and his love of adventure.  If there was something that interested Piero, he had to try it including skydiving and cattle driving.  He loved to sing.  If there was a microphone in the room, Piero would find it, singing his heart out the only way he knew how – His Way.  He was an avid traveler with an infectious personality, making friends wherever he went.  Who else would generously pay $2000 for a salami at a golf outing to support the Pearl River Rotary?  Our Piero would.  He will be remembered for his million-dollar smile and his overwhelming generosity.

Piero leaves behind his loving wife Francine (Veralli), his devoted daughter Renee (Morgan), along with his extended family, which includes many adoring in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and countless treasured friendships.  He was loved by many, and he will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace, Top Gun…until we meet again.

It is with great sadness that the family of Joey Grassi announce his sudden passing on March 24 at the age of 48. Joey is survived by his children Joseph and Olivia, his parents Sandy & Joe Grassi of Northvale, his sisters Anne Marie & Sandra, his brother in law Frank, his nieces Emily, Grace, Shelby and Amelia and his nephew Anthony. We pray that he will forever Rest In Peace. Visiting hours will be Monday, June 22 from 6-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale. A memorial mass will be celebrated Tuesday, June 23 at 11 AM.

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