Joyce Gorant (nee Plaster), 65, of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Monday, July 8, 2024. She was predeceased by her loving husband George Gorant, father Hubert Plaster, mother Olga Hwalko, brother Gary Plaster and sister Joanne Rieselman. Joyce is survived by her step-mother Antonia Plaster, sister Debra LaPoma and her husband Victor and her niece, Savannah Dolianitis, husband Constantine and their children Mick and Mila. She is also survived by her step-brother Dominick Matteo and his wife Jean, and their children, Michael, Danielle, and Joseph. Joyce had worked at Englewood Hospital for many years before retiring. Her final days were spent with friends at Brady’s, family at home and as a crossing guard in Norwood, the town where she grew up. 

Funeral services will be private.

Katherine Ann Sormani (nee Friedman), 57, of Palisades, NY, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024. Proud and loving mother of Joseph Sormani. Beloved daughter of Robert and the late Ruth Friedman. Cherished cousin and friend to many, especially Kathleen Monks, Linda Stovall and Amy Vistocco. Also survived by her former husband Robert Sormani.

Katherine was a teacher at St. Therese Catholic School in Cresskill, NJ for many years. She was a devoted parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale and was loved animals. She will be missed by all who knew her.

A service will be held at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Ave, Mahwah, NJ, on Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 12 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local SPCA.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Christel Hargesheimer, 89, of Northvale, NJ, passed away peacefully at home after a prolonged illness on June 20, 2024, while surrounded by her loving family.  Christel was born on December 7, 1934, in Schneidemuhl, Germany, daughter of Alois and Maria Bartosch. She emigrated to the United States in 1959 with her husband, Julius Hargesheimer, who predeceased her in 1983.  Cherished mother of Mark Hargesheimer, Frank Hargesheimer, Marina Fleming (husband Ronald Fleming). Loving grandmother of Tara Holmes (husband Matthew Holmes), Sean Fleming, and Ron Fleming.  She was also blessed with a great-grandchild, Samuel, earlier this year.  She was the long time dear and treasured friend of Fred Wehle and enjoyed traveling and spending time with him.  She is survived by her sister, Monika, and brother, Wolfgang, and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her sister Rosemarie and brother Georg.

Christel loved the outdoors, taking walks along the Hudson, gardening, bird watching and was an avid reader.   Spending time with her family was her great joy.  She enjoyed cooking and baking, especially for the holidays when everyone could be together.  A 60+ year resident of Northvale, she enjoyed spending time at the McGuire Senior Center.  She was a dedicated employee of Avalon Eyewear and worked there part-time for many years until the COVID crisis forced her to retire.  She will be missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be private.

Those who wish may make a donation in Christel’s memory to the American Cancer Society. www.donate.cancer.org

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Jeffrey Cooper, 63, of Hillsdale, NJ passed away on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Beloved husband of Brenda (nee Marshall).  Proud and loving father of Rachael.  Jeffrey was predeceased by his parents, Seymour and Mildred Cooper, and sister Mindy Godfrey. He is survived by his sister in law, Linda Tytla, and husband Nestor and his brother in law Chuck Godfrey.  He is also survived by his niece, Olivia, and nephews, Lucas, Stephen, & David and his beloved dog, Teddy.  

Jeff was previously employed by Verizon as a salesman.  He was passionate about music and electronics.  He enjoyed traveling, good food, working in the yard, and his daily walks with his beloved dog Teddy.  He was known for his pleasant and upbeat personality with a smile and chat with everyone he met. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and neighbors.

Visitation will begin on Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 1pm with a Memorial Service beginning at 2pm at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ

Neil D. Fabella, 50, of Leonia, NJ, formerly of Orangeburg, NY, passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024. Beloved husband of Jiseon (nee Kim). Proud and devoted father of Nathaniel, Veronica and Nicholas. Dear brother of Richard Fabella and his wife Belinda Downey. Neil was predeceased by his parents, Osrox and Veronica Fabella. He is also survived by many loving relatives and friends.

Neil was a Licensed Practical Nurse in Bergen County. He had a passion for art and had attended the Parson School of Design. Neil was a member of the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps before moving to Leonia. He was a fun and loyal friend and cherished his family. He will be dearly missed.

Visitation will be Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 10-11 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM at the funeral home.

The funeral service can be viewed through the livestream link below:

https://boxcast.tv/view/neil-d-fabella-funeral-service-bbjvedqz20mucgxysakh

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Robert Kowal, 76, of Barnegat, NJ, formerly of Mahwah, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

He was predeceased by his parents, Stanislaw and Zofia Kowal, brother’s in-law, Paul Krukowski and Wally Scheffel. He was the beloved brother of Anna Zavro and her husband Dr. Michael Zavro, Maria Scheffel, and Henry Kowal and his wife Dr. Kathleen McNulty.  Proud uncle of Annette Catalano and her spouse Gerald,  Mona Gore and her spouse Wes, Maskenka Fiscella and her spouse Joseph, Eryn McNulty-Kowal, Kelsey McNulty-Kowal and Shawn McNulty-Kowal.  Also, survived by many cherished great-nieces and nephews, relatives, and friends, especially those at The Mirage at Barnegat who provided him with cheer and companionship.

Bob was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a proud Manager for Shop- Rite, Inserra Supermarkets for many years before retiring.

Visiting hours are Thursday, June 20, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Paramus, 1 Veterans Drive, Paramus, NJ. 07652.

Anne Marie Hawkes (nee Masters), 76, of River Vale, NJ, passed away on Friday, June 14, 2024. She was born in New York, NY, and grew up in nearby Bergenfield. Beloved wife of Roger P. Hawkes. Loving mother of Brian Hawkes and wife Lindsay and Tara Costa and husband David. Proud grandmother of Aidan, James, Zoe, Olivia and Riley. Dearest sister of Margaret Masters, Kathleen Sheppard, Maureen DiDonato and husband Joseph), Alice McTigue and the late Joan Masters.

Anne was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother and adored her family. She loved spending time with cousins, nieces, nephews and their families as well. She retired from Mercedes-Benz in Montvale where she worked for 15 years. She also was an avid reader and enjoyed being in numerous Book Clubs.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X RC Church on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Anne’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Joseph R. Pallatta “Joey”, 58, a resident of Spectrum for Living in Closter, formerly of Old Tappan, NJ and Bergenfield, NJ, passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024. He was the cherished son of Joseph P. and Maureen Pallatta. Beloved brother of Michael and his wife Theresa and dear uncle of Shannon and Brendan. He is also survived by many loving relatives and his dear family at Spectrum for Living.

Joey loved everyone he met and always enjoyed a warm hug. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, June 18, 2024 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at 10 AM at St. Pius X RC Church, Old Tappan with entombment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Spectrum for Living in Joey’s memory would be greatly appreciated. www.pizzifuneralhome.com     

Mayor Paul A. Hoelscher, 82, of Harrington Park, NJ since 1971, passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024. Beloved husband of 58 years to Rosalie (nee Barcadepone). Cherished father of Cheryl Migliaccio and her husband Michael and loving grandfather of Michelle, Paul and Thomas. Dear brother of Mary Ann Coyne and her late husband William.

Paul taught at Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls, NJ for over 30 years. He proudly served the community he loved as Mayor of Harrington Park since 1992. Always active, Paul was a member of the Lions Club of HP, HP Club 60, HP historical Society, the Bergen County Joint Insurance Fund and League of Municipalities, was President of the Bergen County Mayor’s Organization and was inducted into the Mayor Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also active in the Riverside Co-op.

Visiting hours are Monday, June 17, 2024 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park.

In lieu of flowers, and in honor of the Mayor, donations to the Harrington Park Ambulance and Fire Department would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Hans Egon Ritz, 81, of Nanuet, NY, formerly of Northvale, NJ, passed away on Monday, June 10, 2024. Beloved husband of 50 years to Aixa (nee Alfaro). Loving father of Neil Ritz and proud grandfather of Colin and Teagan. Dear brother of Alfred Ritz and the late Friedrich Ritz and nieces Christina Ritz, Petra Haas and Michaela Burbach.

Hans was an engineer for Divirka & Bartilucci in Woodbury, NY for many years before retiring. He cherished his family and very much enjoyed traveling with his wife. He will be missed by all who loved and knew him.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Hans’ memory be made to the Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 196 Firenze Street, Northvale, NJ 07647.