Alfred G. Becker, 85, of Northvale, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, October 25, 2016. Beloved husband of Canela (nee Reppas). Adored father of Jan Siolos and husband Kyriakos of Norwood, Paul Becker of Bergenfield, Priscilla Scioscia and husband Mark of Norwood and Alexis Esposito husband Sal of Norwood. Cherished grandfather of Perry, Paul, George, Nicole, Gregory, Daniel and Kayla. Dearest brother of Bertha Weston and the late Henrietta and Rosetta.

Alfred served his country in the Korean War as a veteran of both the US Army and Air Force.  He retired from NY Telephone as a systems technician.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday 11:30 AM at St. John the Theologian Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Tenafly with interment to follow at East Ridgelawn Cemetery, Clifton. Visiting hours are Thursday 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

Those who wish may make donations in Al’s memory to St. John’s G.O. Cathedral, 353 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly, NJ 07670 or Tomorrows Children’s Fund, 30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, NJ 07601.

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Sara Romanelli (nee DiMinno), 98, of Harrington Park, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, October 22, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Pat. Loving mother of Maryanne Chiavelli of Harrington Park and Robert Romanelli and his wife Debbie of Savannah, GA. Adored grandmother of Karyn Durnal and husband Dave, Ken Chiavelli and wife Laurie, Rob Romanelli and Lisa Murray and husband Tom. Cherished great-grandmother of nine. She was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters.

Sara was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was a Bridge Life Master. She also belonged to the Harrington Park Women’s Club and Club 65.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 1:00 PM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY. The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 11 to 12:30 at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

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Alfred Peter Butti, of Norwood, N.J. gracefully and peacefully passed on October 18, 2016 at the age of 86. Born February 25, 1930 in Fairview, Al grew up in Cresskill and graduated from Tenafly High School. Al served as a Marine (1951-1953) in the Korean War and saw action in the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. Upon his return Al married the love of his life Jean Butti (nee Colombo) on October 9, 1954. They moved to Norwood and were married for 59 blessed years.

 

Al was a Marine at heart until the day he passed and led every aspect of his life by the United States Marine Corps motto: Semper Fi. (“always faithful” or “always loyal”).  Al was a devoted husband, father and friend that treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was an active member of the American Legion Leroy S. Mead Post 111, Closter, N.J. Whatever the cause, Al always had his hand raised. He took great pride in participating in parades honoring his country and veterans. Al especially loved speaking at annual Veterans Day ceremonies at local schools.

 

Religion always played a big part in Al’s life. He was the first Grand Knight and a founding member of the Knights of Columbus (1985), Council 9021 – Immaculate Conception Church. He served as a lector at the early Sunday mass since the 1970s and the highlight was when he would lead the congregation in hymns such as “Let There Be Peace on Earth” and “Amazing Grace.”

 

A resident of Norwood for over 60 years, Al contributed to the community in many ways. He was the town’s building inspector for over 30 years and a member of the Ambulance Corp. for many years, including a stint as captain. He also served on the planning board and recreation board. Al coached Norwood baseball for over three decades.

 

Al was a cement mason in New York City and his hands were involved in many of the beautiful skyscrapers that makeup the NY skyline. He is the longest tenured member (68 years) in the history of the United Cement Mason Union Local 780. His work can also be seen throughout Bergen County as he put in 100s of driveways and patios in his spare time.

 

Al was an avid fan of the Giants, Rangers and Yankees and proudly wore their team jackets, win or lose. One of his greatest joys was taking his children to watch these teams play – teaching not only the respective sports, but more importantly teaching life lessons.

 

Al was preceded in death by his wife Jean (2014), his parents Pietro Butti (1977) and Rosa Balzaretti Butti (1936), his stepmother Lena Tagliabue Butti (1953), his beloved sister Angela Rancan (2015) and brother Alvin Butti (2000). He is survived by his son Thomas and his wife Carol of Middletown, N.Y., his daughter Laura Mason and her husband Bruce of River Vale, his son Richard and his wife Deirdre of Marietta, Georgia, and his son Michael and his wife Joanna of Norwood. Adored grandpa of 12 and great-grandfather of six. Loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.

 

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception Church with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, N.Y. Visiting hours are Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Al’s name be made to American Legion Leroy S. Mead Post 111, Closter, N.J.

 

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Kevin M. Kiely, 64, of Westwood, formerly of Old Tappan, passed away on Saturday, October 15, 2016. Beloved husband of Kim (nee Koroghlian). Cherished father of Jaime Failing and husband Chris of Pearl River, NY, Jessica Olsen and husband Tyler of Nyack, NY, Kevin and fiancé Shauna of Westwood and Christopher and his girlfriend Rachel of Pearl River. Adored grandfather of Jack, Tate, Luke, Lila and Dylan. Dear brother of Maureen Johnson, Anne Ray, Michael, Patty MacGillivray, and the late Thomas and Margaret. Also survived by his first wife, Susan Kiely.  He will be especially missed by his beloved dog, Mia.

Kevin was an avid aviator who had a passion for hang gliders and ultralights.  He owned and operated Catering by Kevin for many years in Bergen County. He will also be remembered by all those he touched as a friend of Bill W. for the past 27 years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 11:30 AM at St. Andrew’s RC Church, Westwood with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Twp. Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 and 6-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers donations in Kevin’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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Timothy Moraski, 56, of Northvale, NJ passed away peacefully in his home on October 12, 2016 with his loving wife Petra by his side. He was born on June 1, 1960, in Suffern, NY. Tim graduated from Ridgewood High School. He worked for Express Scripts (formerly Merck-Medco) as an IT Engineer.  His prior experience included working for Federal Express and running his own business, Classic Landscaping. He was an avid supporter of all his children’s sports and activities.

Beloved husband of Petra (nee Huster). Devoted father of Nicole, Timmy and Michael. Dearest brother of Raymond, Marianne Bascio (Tom) and Karen. Tim is also survived by his father’s wife, Helena; his mother-in-law, Toni Huster; seven nieces and nephews, and one grandniece.  He was predeceased by his mother Kathleen (nee Bachmann) and his father Raymond Moraski.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church in Northvale, NJ at 11:00 AM on Sat. October 15^th.

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe account has been established, the Tim Moreski Memorial & Medical Fund, to support Tim’s family.

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Erma Gallucci (nee DiPaolo), 87, of Cresskill, formerly of New Milford and Jupiter, FL, passed away on Thursday, September 29, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Salvatore. Cherished mother of Nancy Scott and her husband Joseph of Alpine, Glen and his wife Jane of Pt. St. Lucie, FL and Gail Mayer and her husband Gene of Haworth. Adored grandmother of eight and great-grandmother of 13. Dear sister of the late Vincent James DiPaolo and Joseph Messina.

Erma was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. For many years she was a volunteer at the Paramus Veterans Home.  She also enjoyed playing golf with her friends.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with entombment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.  Visiting hours are Friday 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Erma’s memory can be made to Villa Marie Claire Hospice, www.villamarieclaire.org.

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James C. Demitriou, 76, of Northvale, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2016. Beloved husband of 53 years to Katherine (nee Kiriazides). Cherished father of James and his wife Carrie of Raleigh, NC, Kerry and his fiancé Susan Boucher of River Edge and Alexia Gallagher and her husband John of Montvale. Adored Papou of Sydney, Jillian, Lindsey, Ryan, Evan, Kaitlyn and John.

James was a Civil Engineer and worked for Lee T. Purcell Associates in Fairfield, NJ for many years, having received his undergraduate and masters degrees from NYU. He was an avid fan of the NY Mets and Jets and enjoyed working in the radio booth as a statistician during NY Jets home games. “Big Jim” was a fun-loving guy with a great sense of humor who cherished time spent with family and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday 11:00 AM at St. Nicholas G.O. Church, Wyckoff. Visiting hours are Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM with Trisaghion Prayer Service at 8:00 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s memory may be made to the Humane Society, www.humanesociety.org.

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Gertrude A. Schlachter, 101, of Sparkill, formerly of Upper Grandview and Piermont, passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016. Beloved sister of Karl & Marion Schlachter of Stratford, Conn. and the late Regina & Robert Connolly of Nanuet, NY. She is also survived by nieces and nephews: Patricia & Robert Callahan of Yardley, PA; Martha Connolly of Baltimore, MD, Robert & Patricia Connolly of Nanuet, NY, Mary & David Black of Belfast, Maine, Karl & Nancy Schlachter of Murrells Inlet, SC and Heidi & Vince Devlin of Franklin, MA. Also predeceased by her dear friend Alice M. Kearney of Upper Grandview. Also survived by her special devoted friend Elizabeth & Juan Mobili of Valley Cottage, NY.
Gertrude graduated from The College of Mount St. Vincent, magna cum laude in 1935, and Fordham University for her post graduate masters degree.
Her professional career spanned 38 years as an actuary and later as a Senior Vice President and Director for the Colonial Life Insurance Co., now Chubb, Inc. She retired in March of 1977. Gertrude was a member, by examination, of the American Academy of Actuaries. Washington, DC.
In her personal life she performed her solo flight to become a small plane pilot in 1947 from the former Christie airport. She loved gardening, travel, card games and puzzles.
Gertrude was an active parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church in Northvale. She was dedicated to Christian life and devoted herself to charity towards others. Anyone who knew her loved her intelligent, generous, humble and gentle spirit.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated September 27, 2016, Tuesday 10:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale with interment to follow at St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Blauvelt. Visiting hours are September 26, 2016, Monday 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave., Northvale (201-767-3050).
In lieu of flowers, donations in Gertrude’s memory may be made to the College of Mt. St. Vincent, 630 Riverdale Ave., Riverdale, NY 10471.
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Eileen E. Downing (nee Enright), 84, of Tappan, passed away on Monday, September 19, 2016. Beloved wife of the late Dennis J. Downing. Loving mother of Ruthann Downing of Tappan, Dennis B. and wife Donna of Ridgewood, NJ, and Christopher and wife Melanie also of Ridgewood. Cherished grandmother of Daniel, Dylan, Cecelia and Anna. Dearest sister of the late John, Mary, William and Sr. Mary Rose.

A devoted wife and mother, Eileen also worked at various facilities as a nurse’s aide after raising her children. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan, with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla. Visiting hours are Thursday 5-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ, 201-767-3050.

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Ralph C. Merola, 88, of Tappan, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. Cherished father of Charles A. Merola and wife Marirose of Manhasset and Denise Karamian and husband Ashot of Forest Hills. Adored grandfather of Danny, Lauren, Sara and Rebecca.  He will be dearly missed by his loving partner Elizabeth Brown and her children, Stephanie Lauler of Palisades and John Harrington of Tappan.  Dear brother of Michael of Floral Park and Alexander and his wife Carmelina of California. Also survived by the mother of his children, Theresa Merola of Howard Beach.

Mr. Merola worked in the garment industry in NYC for many years, retiring from House of Ronnie, Inc. as VP of Sales and Production.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday 10:00 AM St. John’s RC Church, Piermont with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill. Visiting hours are Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

Those who wish may make donations in Ralph’s memory to the Weill Cornell Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Program, 1305 York Avenue, 12^th Floor, New York, NY  10021, www.weillcornell.org/gicancer.

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