Karen L. Buongiorno (nee Ulione), 68, of Northvale, NJ, formerly of Wyckoff, NJ, passed away beside her family on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Karen was a beloved wife of Perry F. Buongiorno. Cherished mother to her son Mark Ciccarelli and his wife Birdie and daughter Nicole Silcher and her husband Eric. She was a dear step-mother of Perry Buongiorno Jr. and his spouse Tristan, and the late Paul Buongiorno. She was a very proud and loving grandmother of Blake, Olivia, Jayden, Emilia, Monaco and Miles. Predeceased by her parents, Emil and Muriel Ulione and her brother, Brian Ulione.

Karen was a driven entrepreneur, she owned and operated Buongiorno Day Spa for over twenty years and always went above and beyond to help friends, family & clients. Her heart was immense and she cared deeply for others, even those whom she’d just met. She was a devoted wife to her ‘hunny bunny’, an incredible mother and the greatest Gigi in the world. She loved visiting the beach of Cape May, shopping, spending time with those she loved, catching the occasional episode of the young & the restless and cooking for family gatherings. When Karen arrived, she would fill the room with love, and drop a trail of gifts along the way… if there wasn’t an occasion for a present, she would always find one… her grandkids being her most favorite beneficiaries. Growing up in Paramus NJ, she built life-long friendships she’s carried since elementary school. She was deeply admired by many, and will be missed by all.   

Visiting hours are Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Karen’s memory may be made to The MDS Foundation {mds-foundation.org}. 

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

August S. Sarti, 94, of Old Tappan, NJ, passed away at home on Monday, April 20, 2026. Beloved husband of Rosalind (nee Tully). Cherished father of Betty Ann Reilly and her husband Terence. Proud grandfather of Christopher and his wife Kayla and Michael and his wife Kristen. Loving great-grandfather of Madison and Payton. Dear brother of the late George Sarti.  Caring uncle of Dean and his wife Tracy, Chris and his wife Lani, Jess, Ryan, and Jace.  He was predeceased by his parents, Agenore and Elsa Sarti and his brother-in-law Franklin Tully and his wife Patricia.

August was a proud US Army Veteran of the Korean War. He was a talented furniture restoration craftsman for many years before retiring.

Visiting hours are Monday, April 27, 2026 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale, NJ, with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in August’s memory may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation: www.t2t.org

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Nicholas Ryan Soto was born August 19, 1995 in Toms River NJ, and passed away April 4, 2026. He was 30 years old. 

Beloved Son of Stephan Soto and Kimberly Banse, he is survived by his brothers Clayton, Thaddaeus, and Joel and his sister Bethany.  Nick is also survived by his Uncle John Soto and his Dog Lana , Jake the Snake, and Jiggers the cat, as well as many other loving relatives and dear friends. 

Nick had a passion for Painting and sketching. He was also a musician who played Guitar, Bass, and keyboard.  Nick loved music and live performances.  He was big in the Punk scene in NYC for many years and was always up front where the action was.  

Nick was dedicated to his family, always there for them. He was a caretaker in Texas in a nursing home for years and when he moved back to NY in  2019 to  help  his Uncle Take care of his grandmother , Anne Soto who passed at 102. Her quality of life was exceptional for her last few years due to Nick’s unselfish love and care for his grandmother.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, May 9^th, 2026 at 6pm at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, 120 Kings Hwy, Tappan, NY 10983.

Adolfo Apostol Mendoza Zamora, 69, of Bergenfield, NJ, passed away on Thursday, April 16, 2026.  Beloved husband of Raquel (nee Hidalgo).  Loving father of Johana, Ronald, Sharon, Vanessa, Tais and Cristo.  Caring grandfather of Ben, Joaquin, Michelle, Enrique and Romina and great-grandfather to Yeiden.  Proud brother of Manuel, Juan, Modesto, Aurora, Maritza, Guillermo and Andrez.

Adolfo was born in Montalvo, Ecuador.  He enjoyed running, gardening and cooking.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park, NJ, with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

Dorothy “Dotty” Simpson (née Lowell) of Harrington Park, formerly of River Vale, passed away peacefully on the morning of April 17, 2026.

Predeceased by her parents, Raymond H. and Dorothy Ostrom Lowell; her brother, Raymond H. Lowell, Jr.; and her beloved husband of over 70 years, Thomas H. Simpson, Dotty is survived by her sister, Joan Varecka; and her brother, William Lowell and his wife, Susan, all of Rockledge, Florida. She is also survived by her loving children, Thomas E. Simpson and his wife, Marilyn, of Harrington Park; Kathleen Rizza and her husband, Patrick, of Emerson; and Carolyn Hulsizer and her husband, David, of Ramsey.

Dotty was a devoted grandmother to Erica Sposa (Rick), Kyle Rizza, Thomas J. Simpson (Theresa), Timothy Rizza (Kelli), Brendan Rizza (Bridget), Stephanie Hulsizer (fiancé Daniel), and David Hulsizer. She was also a proud great-grandmother to Giuliana and Katelyn Sposa; Thomas and Lillian Simpson; and Jackson, Maddox, and Kayce Rizza, all of whom brought her immense joy.

In her younger years, Dotty found happiness in tending to her garden, where she lovingly gathered and nurtured plants, creating a space of beauty and peace. She cherished summer afternoons spent with family by her backyard pool and treasured the many opportunities she had to travel the world. Above all, Dotty was deeply devoted to her family. Her home was always open, her table always full, and her love constant and unwavering.

She will be remembered for her warmth, her strength, and the quiet grace with which she lived her life. Dotty’s legacy lives on in the generations she nurtured and the countless memories she leaves behind.

The family will celebrate Dotty’s life on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 10:30 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale, NJ.

Rafaela Ann Pinnisi (nee DiStefano), 90, formerly of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. Beloved wife of the late John J. Pinnisi. Loving mother of Luciana Contiliano and her husband Roy, Julia Moss and her husband Steven and John J. Pinnisi, Jr. and his wife Candace. Adored grandmother of Erica, Anthony and Dominic.

Before retiring, Rafaela was an administrative assistant for Mercedes Benz of North America in Montvale, NJ for many years

Visiting hours are Friday, April 17, 2026 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 10 AM at the funeral home with interment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com 

Todd Merrel Swann, 62, of Tappan NY, passed away at home on Sunday April 12, 2026. Beloved husband of Anne M. Swann (nee Dennehy), proud father of Todd Albert Swann and cherished brother of Phyllis Swann, Andre Swann, Ronald Swann, Bernard Swann, Donna Stephens and Yvonne Beamon. Todd was predeceased by his parents Albert A. Swann and Mildred (Louise) Swann and his brothers Albert (Butch), Lawrence, Dennis and William (Chet). Todd is also survived by his aunts Mary Swann and Edith Blackwell as well as many other loving relatives and dear friends.

Todd was born in Nyack NY on April 17, 1963 and grew up in Sparkill. Todd worked for Nyack Hospital for several years before spending 25 years as a teamster for UPS. Upon his retirement from UPS Todd worked as a crossing guard.

Visiting hours are Wednesday April 15, 2026 from 3-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Todd’s memory may be made to The Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation (helpfightra.org).

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Gina Buldo (nee Covertini), 88, of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. Beloved mother of Ambrogio Buldo and wife Deborah, Rosa Warnet and husband Don, Lisa Salerno and husband Mark and Tina Sacci and husband Dave. Adored grandmother of Meghan Rose, Anthony, Gabriela and husband Mike, Rachel “Reggie”, Elizabeth, Olivia, Angelina, Gianna, Aidan and Christopher. Dearest sister of the late Maria Cacioli.

Gina was born and raised in Italy.  She met her husband, Pasquale, while he was visiting from New Jersey, and in 1962 she followed her heart across the ocean to build a life with him. She devoted herself wholeheartedly to her family, always putting the needs of her children first and later embracing her role as a grandmother with immense pride and love. Nothing brought her greater happiness than being surrounded by her children and grandchildren, who remained her greatest source of joy and purpose. She will be missed immensely.

Visiting hours are Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Service will be held Monday, April 13, 2026 at 10 AM at the funeral home with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Twp, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gina’s memory to the Angel Fund at St. Paul’s Ocean Grove Church, https://give.tithe.ly/?formId=3af03b0f-c9b0-4b0a-9f71-74c5c1a114d6, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Wendy Ruggiero (nee to Rondinelli), 46, of Harrington Park, NJ, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.  Beloved wife of Dino Ruggiero, Devoted mother of Nicollette, Gabrielle and Isabella. Cherished daughter of Joseph and Deborah Rondinelli of Harrington Park. Loving sister of Joseph and Lauren Rondinelli of Northvale and Jaime and Gerard Fernino of Old Tappan. Dearest aunt of Joseph, Harry, Gerard and Jacqueline. Beloved niece of Uncle Andy, William and Mary Ann Carberry and cousins Mary and Drew and adored by best friend Kim. She is survived by countless relatives and friends.  

Wendy was a warrior and accomplished everything she set her mind to whether it was through her work, her commitment in the gym, and most importantly, the loyalty and fierce love she had for family and friends.  

Visiting hours are Friday, April 10, 2026 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 1 PM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Joan Marie Rizzo (nee Scala), 87, a longtime resident of Northvale, NJ, formerly of West New York, NJ, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2026. Beloved wife of the late Gus Rizzo. Dearest sister of Robert and Patricia Scala, Elaine and Frank Lovato, Carol and Daniel DeMartin, Donald Scala and Patricia and Jerome Genarelli Cherished aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Joan was an executive secretary to the Chief of Police for the Port Authority of NJ/NY for many years before retiring. She was a dedicated parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church in Northvale and a member of the choir.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, 199 Walnut Street, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to Peace 4 Paws, www.peace4paws.org. www.pizzifuneralhome.com