Konstantinos “Gus” Karanikitas, 88, of Northvale, passed away on Friday, March 26, 2021.  Beloved husband of the late Mary (nee Missailidis). Loving father of Sophia Karanikitas of Mount Laurel, NJ and Lukas Karanikitas and wife Kristine of Northvale. Cherished grandfather of Alexander and Lilly Anna. Honorary grandfather of Nicholas Cortright and his wife Nemesis, and Courtney and Gavin Cortright.  Cherished brother of Apostolos Karanikitas and his wife Magdalini, the late Andreas Karanikitas, Evangelia Pontiki and her husband Kyriako, and Mary Dokas and her husband, the late Alexandros. Beloved uncle of many nieces and nephews as well as many other loving relatives both here in the U.S. and Greece. 

Gus received a bachelors degree from the University of Athens and a master’s degree from New York University, and was a sharp shooter in the Greek Army.

Gus was a finance manager for Pepsi-Cola in Somers, NY for over 30 years before retiring. He was a member of the Northvale Golden Age Club. He loved his family, going to Atlantic City, following the stock market, Greek food, Italian bread and coffee.

A Service will be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, West Nyack, NY on Friday, April 2, 2021 at 10 AM with internment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY. Visiting hours are Thursday, April 1, 2021 from 6-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations to “Mass General Hospital -Faustman Research.” Please include “Cure Diabetes Now Fund” on the memo line. 

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Judith F. LoBello (nee Lamm), 80, of Westwood, NJ passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Louis LoBello. Cherished mother of Angela Pessolano and her husband Edward of River Vale, NJ and Frank LoBello of Forked River, NJ. Proud and loving grandmother of Eddie, Allianna, Mark and Louie. Dearest sister of Robert Lamm and wife Karen of Kingston, NY, Nancy VanDeMark of Austin, TX and Virginia Norton and husband Ronald of Englewood, FL.

Judi was a hairdresser and worked at Werner’s Hair Salon in Westwood for many years.  She loved to travel with her sisters, spend time with her grandchildren down the shore, and enjoyed tending to her large backyard garden.  Judi suffered from Alzheimer’s over the last nine years, and while it may have slowly taken away her ability to do the things she loved, it could never take away her laughter, her smile, her dignity or her love for her family. 

Visiting hours are Sunday 3-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral service will be held Monday at 11 AM at the funeral home with interment to follow at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjudes.org. 

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Peter M. Arcuri, 83, of Washington Township, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Beloved husband of Karen (nee Schraeder). Cherished father and father-in-law of Donna and Dr. Steven Cascio, Peter and Kay Arcuri and Melissa and Isaac Pavlik. Proud grandfather of Michelle and Samantha. Dearest brother of Teresa Mongelli and the late Josephine and Anthony.

Peter was a US Army Veteran. He was an Allstate Insurance Agent for many years and retired in 2003. He then enjoyed 12 years volunteering at Valley Hospital in Kirth Cottage.

Funeral services were private.

Those who wish may make donations in Peter’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Frances M. Sicuranza (nee Porcelli), 90, of Brooklyn, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Dominick. Devoted mother of Rocco and his wife Karyl and proud and loving grandmother of Anthony. Dear sister of Nina DeSanto and husband Frank, and the late Peter Porcelli (late wife Louise) and the late Anthony Porcelli. She was also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours are Friday 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 AM at St. Pius X RC Church, Old Tappan with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Fray’s memory may be made to the Long Island Sled Hockey, a league for differently-abled athletes at www.lisledhockey.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Vincent J. Albanese, Jr., 93, a lifelong resident of Northvale, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. Beloved husband of 74 years to Carmen (nee Sbordone). Loving father of Ronald and wife Lily of Westwood, Kenneth and wife Christine of Lords Valley, PA, Robert of Northvale and Peggy of Northvale. Proud grandfather of Nicholas, Julie, Allison, Vincent, Andrew, Peter, Natalie and Amanda and great-grandfather of eight. Dearest brother of Grace Ellison, Donald and wife Joan and the late Charles and Richard.

Vincent was a US Navy Veteran of WWII. After retiring from Continental Can in Piermont as a machinist he worked at Ace Hardware where he was always willing to lend a hand. He was a founding member of the Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corp and was a past captain.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. Visiting hours are Sunday 2-5 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 196 Firenze St, Northvale, NJ 07647.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Maria Bondarenko (Stambula), 88, passed away peacefully at her home in Hardyston, NJ after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Maria was born on September 14, 1932 in Mariupol, Ukraine and immigrated to the United States in 1950. In New Jersey, Maria reconnected with the love of her life, Wasyl, and started a family. 

Maria better known as “baba” lived for her family and grandchildren. Maria was not content unless one of her seven grandchildren were over swimming in her pool and eating one of her classic dishes. Maria had a knack for gardening and maintained a pristine yard full of flowers and a garden full of vegetables. She also enjoyed making pierogis every Thursday at her Ukrainian Orthodox Church and getting together with her friends. Maria will be remembered for her small stature but larger than life smile and warm heart. 

Maria is predeceased by her loving husband, Wasyl as well as her son George Bondarenko. She is survived by her beloved children Tina Sili and husband Dean, Irene Upritchard and husband Doug and her daughter in law Patricia Bondarenko; seven grandchildren, Kristen Bondarenko, Jaclyn Karas and husband Steve, Kelly Harclerode and husband Rob, Kathryn Bondarenko, Nicholas Sili, Alexander Sili, Christopher Sili as well as three great grandchildren, Harrison , Juliette and Hailey . All will miss her dearly.

A Funeral Service will be held Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 11 AM at Holy Ascension Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 635 Broad Street, Clifton with interment to follow at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.
www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Vasilia P Tauriello (Bess), 80, of Northvale, NJ passed away March 13, 2021, with her family by her side. She was born in Bethlehem, PA., and graduated from Moravian College in Bethlehem; consequently, teaching in the Public School System there. She also taught at Charles DeWolf Middle School in Old Tappan, NJ.

She was married to the late Robert A. Tauriello; and was cherished mother of Melanie and Robert and his wife, Stacey and granddaughter, Lexi.  

Bess worked at AAA North Jersey of Oradell NJ for over 20 years.  She enjoyed traveling and took many amazing trips worldwide.  After retiring from AAA, she joined the Northvale senior center and was part of the lovely crochet club, where they met to make items for donation to patients, called Knots of Love.

Services and viewing will be held at Metropolitan Cathedral St. John the Theologian, Tenafly, NJ, Wednesday, March 17^th at 11 A.M (viewing) and 12:00pm (service)  http://stjohntenafly.org/

View the livestream through the link below on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at 11am:

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnCLMyhU2m7X_1KhBXlBnRw/videos

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/stjohnthetheologian/videos

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Basil Academy, Garrison, NY.

http://www.stbasil.goarch.org/

This academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood and was a favorite place of donation for Bess.

Mary Warner (nee McGovern), Harrington Park resident since 1963, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2021 at the age of 93. She was the beloved wife of the late John Warner and the cherished mother of Elizabeth Falkenstern and husband William, Margaret Warner and husband Larry Bader, Joseph Warner and wife Anita, John Warner and wife Valerie and Vincent Warner and wife Amy. Mary was the proud grandmother of twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her dear brother Bernard McGovern.

Mary had many interests throughout her life.  She was an avid reader, who enjoyed swimming, walking traveling and gardening.   She graduated with a BS as a registered nurse from the College of Mount St Vincent, spending hours each day on the subway commuting from her home in Brooklyn all the way to Riverdale in the Bronx.  She started her career as a visiting nurse In New York.  After her youngest started school, Mary worked for 22 years at Pascack Valley Hospital. She was a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Victories Church in Harrington Park.  For many years Mary was a Eucharistic Minister at Mass.  As a long-standing member of the Social Concerns Committee, she helped provide meals and shelter to the homeless in our community.  She also enjoyed the friendship and camaraderie of her weekly Bible Study Group.

On Wednesday, March 17 at 7pm, there will be a memorial for Mary where friends and family can share memories on Zoom.  The Zoom link can be found here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89350610559?pwd=WGpSeHZWR2NGSWJOamxsUDV3Zk83dz09 Meeting ID: 893 5061 0559   Passcode: 555075

Due to the pandemic, the Funeral Mass on Thursday, March 18 at 10am, will be limited to Mary’s children, but other family members and friends can view the livestream Mass through the link below: https://boxcast.tv/channel/mary-warner-funeral-mass-136951

This link will still be active after the Mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary’s memory may be made to Preston Center of Compassion a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that provides direct services to help women, children and families in need in the Bronx. http://www.prestoncenterofcompassion.org/counseling-service.  Mary started her caring-giving career in the Bronx and Preston Center of Compassion is a charity that is very meaningful to her.    

Muriel “Mickey” McDonald (nee Vlahos), 84 of Palisades, NY for over 60 years, passed away at home on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Loving life partner of the late Thomas Wentland. Cherished mother of Deborah Castro and her husband Thomas of Albuquerque, NM and Jude Navarro and husband Harry of Brewster, NY. Proud grandmother of Thomas, Eric, Marissa, Jessica, Ryan and Jhair and great-grandmother of Sydney, Malania, Scottlynn, Cyrus and Ryker. Loving sister of George Vlahos and his late wife Carol and Elaine Taiani. Mickey was loved by many nieces and nephews.

Mickey was a nurse at Englewood Hospital for many years before retiring.  She was a devoted supporter of the Christian Children’s Fund and supported at least eight children until adulthood.

Visiting hours are Thursday, March 18, 2021 from 4-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale with a memorial service to be held at 5:30 PM.

The service can be viewed through the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/muriel-mickey-mcdonald-nee-vlahos-854375

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mickey’s memory may be made to Hi-Tor Animal Shelter, www.hitor.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Haxhi Gashi, 86, of Nanuet, NY, formerly from Albania, passed away peacefully on Sunday March 7, 2021. 

Beloved husband of 65 years to Sanije. Loving father of Mithat Gashi (and his wife Meryeme) of Nanuet, Luan Gashi (and wife Shukrie) of New City, and Ilber Gashi  (and wife Vjollca) of Huntersville, North Carolina, Drita Nerguti (and husband Haxhi) of Fairview, NJ, and Anila Selmani (and husband Tomorr) of Cresskill, NJ.  Proud grandfather of  13 grandchildren (Anisa, Visar, Suzanne, Adriana, Bekim, Arlind, Blerim, Erna, Arber, Lindita, Siera, Dardan, Merita), and four great grandchildren (Drini, Blini, Riti and Muço); beloved brother of Remzije Guri (of Albania). Haxhi was predeceased by his brothers Ramiz, Gani, Qemal, and sister, Zelfie. 

Haxhi was one of the last survivors of the communist internment camp of Berat, Albania.  His family opposed the communist ideology. For this reason, Haxhi’s  home was burned and destroyed,  his property  confiscated and the Gashi family was deemed as enemies of the state.  At age 11, Haxhi and his family were sent to a concentration camp in Southern Albania -where many children, and the elderly died of malnutrition and lack of medical attention.   After decades of persecution by the communist regime, in 1986, Haxhi escaped from communism with his wife and children and settled in the land of freedom — the United States. 

Those who feel comfortable are invited to pay their respects in person on Wednesday, March 10th  from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). 

A Funeral Prayer will be celebrated Thursday starting at 9:00 AM with burial to follow at 11:00 AM at Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa.

Please strictly adhere to proper social distancing and no physical contact, for the safety of the family and all guests.