Planz, Josephine Marie, 93, of River Vale, N.J. formerly of Harrington Park, passed away on December 14, 2022 in Seminole, Florida.

 She was born in Bronx, New York on May 2, 1929 to Ambrose Rocco and Katherine (Spolnecke) Terp.  Josephine married Robert Charles Planz on November 7, 1948.

Beloved wife of the late Robert.  Devoted mother of Denise Katherine Cornell and her husband John of Stony Brook, N.Y. and Suzette Alice Mckeon and her husband Kevin of Stony Point, N.Y.  Cherished grandmother of John Christopher and Robert Charles Cornell and Kevin Brian and Mathew Andrew McKeon.  Cherished great grandmother of Harper Rose and Anders Christopher Cornell and Madeleine Violette Cornell.

Beloved sister of Mary Catherine Jankowski and her husband Chet of Southfield, Michigan.  Cherished Aunt of Leigh Ann and the late Michael Chester Jankowski.

Jo worked at Equitable Life Assurance in N.Y.C. after graduating Southold High School in Southold, N.Y.  She worked there until her first child was born, and when she left Equitable they had to hire two people to take her place. 

After having her children, she became very involved with the School P.T.A., church functions, and working with disabled children. 

Jo was a volunteer at Pascack Valley Hospital gift shop, and received an award recognizing her time spent there.  She was an avid Bridge player, and also enjoyed:  water skiing, fishing, hunting, crafts, painting, and sculpting.

Jo, also loved to travel with Bob – China, Italy, Switzerland, Israel where they floated in the Dead Sea, and Southold!  One of their favorite Island’s was St. Maarten, where they vacationed annually with their children, grandchildren, and friends!  It was a wonderful family time, which will always be Remembered With Love!

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday – January 7^th, 2023 10:30 A.M.

at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale, N.J. with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, N.Y.  Viewing is the same day 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, N.J.

 www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Nevio “Joseph” Mattessich, 79, of North Palm Beach, FL, formerly of River Vale, NJ, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Beloved husband of Joann (nee Piccinich). Loving father of Marilyn Mattessich, Lucy Disney and her husband Carlo and Nevin Mattessich and his wife Valerie. Adored grandfather of Mariah, Julia, Nevin and Audrey. Dear brother of John Mattessich and Maryann Saric and her husband Mirko.

Nevio was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was an IT professional on Wall Street in NYC for many years. A devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church and a 4^th Degree Knight of the Immaculate Conception Knights of Columbus Council 9021.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 11 AM at St. Pius X Church, Old Tappan with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Township.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, www.bcan.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

James J. Mulligan, 85, of Palisades, NY, cherished husband of Beverle (nee Zawalich), passed away on Saturday, December 17, 2022.  He was a loving father to James J. Mulligan, Jr., Christopher Mulligan and Deirdre Hart and her husband Thomas. Proud Pop Pop to Victoria, Thomas James “TJ”, Mackenzie, Kevin, Chelsea and Olivia. Dearest brother of Kathleen Blake and her husband Vincent, John Perring-Mulligan and his wife Peg, and youngest brother Bernard Mulligan. Loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. 

Jim was born and raised in Manhattan NY and stayed there until he moved his family to Rockland County in 1973. Jim was a US Army Veteran. He was an electrician for IBEW Local 3 in NYC before retiring to enjoy time with his family.  Jim and Beverle were active in Marriage Encounter for 25 years throughout Bergen County and parts of Rockland County.  Jim was an avid fisherman and could often be found fishing at the Piermont Pier or any spot along the Hudson River. Most of all he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He will be missed dearly.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, December 21, 2022 form 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 22, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Tappan, NY with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Giustina Giannantonio, 67, of Tappan, NY, formerly of Palisades Park, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022. Giustina was born in Imola Bologna, Italy on November 6, 1955 and came to America in 1959. She was the adored daughter of the late Anthony and Jenny (DeCarlo) Giannantonio andthe beloved wife of the late Nicolangelo “Nick” Giannantonio, the loving mother of Nicola Giannantonio and Anthony Giannantonio and his wife,Morgan, and the cherished grandmother of Andia, Layla, Antonio, Luca, and Nico. Her very special cousin, Peter Longo, who was like a brother to her, survives Giustina. Peter’s wife, Peggy, and the Longo family, Giustina’s mother-in-law Andia Giannantonio and in-laws Gino Giannantonio, Lena Giannantonio, and Rosa Giannantonio Serino and their families, and her beloved dog, Sully, also survive her. Giustina was a secretary to the principal at Palisades Park Junior/Senior High School for 37 years before retiring in December of last year. Her favorite hobbies included piano playing, drawing and painting, card making with the Stampin’ Up! Sisters, jewelry making, visiting Italy, going to the Jersey Shore, visiting the casinos, watching HGTV and Hallmark Mysteries, feeding her family, and of course, being a doting grandma to her five grandchildren. Our hearts are broken. She is so loved and deeply missed. Visiting hours are Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 9 to 10 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Madonna Church on the Hill, Fort Lee, NJ at 11 AM with interment to follow at Madonna Cemetery. Donations may be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation at www.bcrf.orgwww.pizzifuneralhome.com

Patricia Ann Lowney (nee Russell), 80, of Norwood, NJ and Laughlin, NV, passed away on Saturday, December 10, 2022. She was the beloved wife of Neil. Loving mother of Susan O’Brien and husband Sean and Julie Falkenstern and husband Scott. Proud grandmother of Allison, Kelsey, Luke, Megan, A.J. and Ryan. Dear sister of George Michael Russell and wife Lynn and the late Rosemary Russell.

Pat was a secretary at Immaculate Conception Church in Norwood for 25 years and retiring to Laughlin, NV.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, December 14, 2022 from 6-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Norwood with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Edward Joseph Coughlan, 77, of Rockleigh, NJ, passed away at home on Friday, December 9, 2022. Beloved husband of Lorraine (nee Ciccarelli) for 47 years. Loving father of Kevin and his wife Alexandra and Andrew and his wife Evelyn. Proud grandfather of Jackson and Sean. Dear brother of Helen Dennehy, Nora DiMaggio, Rita Coughlan, Ann Coughlan Brown and the late Maureen Murphy and John Coughlan.

Edward was a US Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War. He retired as a manager of gas operations for Con Edison in NYC. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Immaculate Conception Council 9021 and the Optimist Club, both in Norwood.

Visiting hours are Monday, December 12, 2022 from 4-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 13, 2022 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Edward’s memory may be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, wwwt2t.org or Ascend Hospice, 1600 St. George Ave, Suite 312, Rahway, NJ 07065 www.ascendhospice.com.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Richard Charles Wierer of Tappan, NY, entered into eternal life on December 8, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife Irma(née Pagayunan), son Christopher, daughter Jennifer with her husband Michael Waisome and new grandchild Xavier. He is also survived by his brother Ronald and sister Diane with her husband Hugh Hunt.

Richard was born on August 29, 1946 in Manhattan, NY to Irene (née Smiarowska) and Charles Wierer. He is lovingly referred to as Richie by his many friends and large global family. Married on December 18, 1976 at St Bartholemew (NYC), Richard and Irma lived in love together for 46 years first in New York then later split their time between Tappan, Los Angeles, and Miami. 

The influence of his 40-year career in education with the NYC Board of Ed will last for generations. Known as intelligent, kind, and extremely generous, after retirement Richard nurtured his lifelong love of continual learning & travel – values he instilled and shared with his family. Never without pen and paper, he was always writing while listening to his other passion, music. An active organizer and philanthropist, he donated his time to various community organizations and served on his local parish council. His sweet smile never wavered and will live on in the hearts and minds of those who have the privilege of loving him.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 3-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10AM, December 21, 2022 at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.

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

https://boxcast.tv/channel/richard-charles-wierer-funeral-mass-snewnpaik0lzexkmtrjs

Joseph Fisher, of Cresskill, NJ, formerly of Ridgefield, NJ, passed away peacefully on December 8, 2022. He was 77 years old.

Joseph served in the US Navy for four years. He retired from Barr Labs in Northvale where he was a maintenance mechanic for many years.

He is survived by his wife Barbara (nee Yannuzzi), his son Joseph (Hayley), daughter Yvonne and her husband Kevin and his five grandchildren, Kevin, Joey, Samantha, Violet and Evelyn.

 Funeral services will be private.

John Veszelovits, 86, of Norwood, NJ, passed on Friday, December 9, 2022.  Beloved husband of Lilly (nee Kurta) for 59 years. Cherished father of Carol Varesi and her partner Douglas Carosella, Kathe Carrero and Anthony Veszelovits. Dear grandfather of Nicholas, Jillian and Grace. Dearest brother of Elizabeth, Theresa and the late Rose, Mary, Stephen, William, Barbara, Louis, Cecilia, Louis and Hedwig.

John was born in Szenpeterfa Hungry on 8/10/36. Son of Rosalia and Frank.  He left Hungry in 1956 to pursue a better life.  He lived in Austria as he awaited sponsorship to the US.  He was so proud to have lived the American dream.  

Predeceased by his parents . Mother in Law Julia Kurta and numerous other family members and close friends .  

Survived by brother in law John Kurta and former son in law James Carrero in addition to numerous nieces , nephews and cousins

He worked for Capital Cabinet in Yonkers  and was a gifted craftsman and mentor to many .

“Poppa John” as he was known to many loved going to the casino, scratch off lottery tickets, soccer, travel, dancing, fishing , sports and gardening.  His family was everything to him (we hope).  He could often be found on the sidelines of his grandchildren’s sporting events.  He will be missed but we will treasure our memories , the strong work ethic in instilled in all of us and our Hungarian heritage of which he was so proud.

Visiting hours are Sunday, December 11, 2022 from 2 – 4 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.  A Funeral Mass will celebrated Monday, December 12, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed through the livestream link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/john-veszelovits-funeral-mass-ggdivuburoerxvel2pdw

Memorial donations may be made in John’s memory to the Norwood Ambulance Corps.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Patrick William McSweeney of Northvale, NJ and Chatham, MA, 84, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 4, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.  He left us as he lived, with quiet grace and dignity.  Patrick was born in Kilkee (Co. Clare, Ireland) on January 31, 1938, the second son of Kathleen (nee Marrinan) and William McSweeney. His childhood in Kingsbridge, the Bronx, was a happy one, shared with siblings Elizabeth, John and Kathleen. Many an afternoon was spent with friends playing handball in the local park, stickball on the street with a broom handle cribbed from someone’s unsuspecting mother, and cards on a rainy day. Camping with friends in Mahopac was another great adventure. The crowd of roughly ten neighborhood chums and brother Johnny would set off across 230^th Street to Marble Hill to catch the train up to Mahopac. Picture them if you will: a group of energetic young men carrying bamboo sticks with rags tied on the end containing all the bare necessities slung over their shoulders. Simpler times.

While attending Manhattan Prep, he met the love of his life, the beautiful and spirited Eileen Lyons. Thus began a loving relationship that culminated in 61 years of devoted marriage, three children and eight grandchildren.

One of Patrick’s first jobs involved painting flagpoles on the tops of schools, buildings, and skyscrapers throughout New York City. When the opportunity emerged to join the Port Authority as a young man, his savvy mother encouraged him to take the job for the excellent benefits despite the pay cut. His career at the Port Authority began walking the high steel of the George Washington Bridge, painting the towers, barrels and cables, and building lifelong friendships among the Bridge Gang. His PA career spanned many decades and facilities, overseeing jobs including the new terminal at Newark Airport, the Bayonne Bridge container ship bridge collisions, and the emergency construction response to the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Patrick loved his career at the Port Authority and treasured the great camaraderie among the PA crew. The men regularly socialized outside of work and helped renovate one another’s homes, inside and out. Two of their projects that remain dearest to the McSweeney children were the fireplace and in-ground pool. Patrick’s son Kevin followed him into the Port Authority and was regularly regaled by men eager to share how Patrick had helped mentor, guide and help them along their way. After retiring from the Port Authority as a Resident Engineer, Patrick worked an additional 10 years as a consultant for Tishman Inc., commuting daily into Manhattan.

Patrick possessed an uncommon work ethic, drive and generosity of spirit that permeated his life. He worked side jobs weekends and weeknights to support his family, educate his children and eventually build a family vacation home in Cape Cod.  He valued education, encouraging anyone he could to pursue academic excellence. A common exchange: Pop, I got a 95. What happened to the other 5 points? Pop, I got a 100. What, no extra credit? It was a relief, we suppose, that he christened his boat “The A Team,” and not “The A+ Team.” College roommates who hadn’t fared well on a test were known to avoid answering the phone because he asked everyone about their grades and no one wanted to disappoint him. The truth was, though, that he was never really disappointed in anyone; he just loved to see people strive and succeed and sought to encourage anyone he could. He often remarked on people who had helped him along the way, yet never mentioned all the people he helped. He simply embodied his beliefs.

After retiring from his encore career at Tishman, Patrick and Eileen split their time between New Jersey and Massachusetts, regularly joined by their children and their families. Summertime at the Cape was all about the children, from clamming to fishing to boating to the 4^th of July parade, with most evenings ending with a walk on the beach and Schoolhouse Ice Cream. He covered the garage walls with puzzles completed by the grandchildren at various ages that he glued, framed and hung. There was always one in progress on the living room table. A proficient chess player, he taught all the grandchildren to play and games were played daily at the Cape Cod chess table. Invariably, if a grandchild made a good move, one would hear “veeeeery interesting.” He had a strict rule: loser cleaned up. And he certainly did enjoy sitting back to watch the clean up.

Patrick loved celebrating his birthday month, a good chocolate bar, a good ice cream cone, a good game of golf, a nice song on the piano, his Irish music, and all dogs. He could tie any knot and fix any problem with some duct tape or a ladder. A gifted athlete, he once ran the Long Island Marathon and qualified for Boston. He shared his honest opinion when asked, often saying “You’re not wrong, but you’re not right either.”

Most importantly, he lived his faith. We will miss him so and look forward to the day when we will see him again.

Beloved husband of Eileen (nee Lyons). Cherished father of Kevin McSweeney and wife Sherry, Sue-Ellen Ubl and husband Jeffrey, and Allison Mullaney and husband Matthew. Adored grandfather of Ellen, Ryan, Caitlin and fiancé Paul, Sarah, Madeline, Matthew, Sebastian, Gabriela, and Ashley. Dearest brother of Elizabeth (May) O’Flynn and late husband Denis, the late John McSweeney and wife Gloria, and Kathleen O’Neill and husband William. Treasured uncle of many nieces and nephews. Dearest friend.

Visiting hours are Thursday, December 8, 2022 from 2-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan, NY with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Valhalla, NY.

The mass can be viewed via livestream through the church website:

https://stjohnnewman.flocknote.com/note/19331901

Those who wish may make a donation in Patrick’s memory to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, www.mskcc.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com