Gertrude Giovinazzo (Haug), 80, of Bergenfield, passed away at home on Sunday, February 14, 2021.  Proud and loving mother of Tony and the late Daniel. Dearest sister of Helene, Rosa, Emma “Mimi’, Arthur and the late Rudolf, Werner and Verena.

Gertrude was a devoted mother. Always the caretaker, she came to America from Switzerland to work as a governess and cared for many families throughout her life.  She had a huge heart and enjoyed helping others. She had a great love for animals and loved hiking and the outdoors.

Visiting hours are Wednesday 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). Funeral Friday at 11 AM at the funeral home with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery.

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Jose Miguel Ortiz was born May 31, 1963. His mother Zunilda Ortiz and father Jose Ortiz both were married during the conception of Jose Miguel Ortiz. 

Jose Ortiz was born in Manhattan New York and moved to 2254 Cedar Avenue in the Bronx when he 8 years old. 

Jose Ortiz mother Zunilda Ortiz also raised his siblings Maria Adel Carmen Taylor and Ivan Kenneth Ortiz in the Bronx on Cedar Avenue. Jose Ortiz was the eldest of his siblings and the eldest grandchild. 

Jose Ortiz attended public school P.S 96.Jose Ortiz went off to attend Junior High School P.S 137. He then pursued his continuous education at Roosevelt High School in the Bronx. 

Jose Ortiz meet a young lady named Suzzette Thomas at the age of 17 years old. On June 19, 1982 they welcomed their first born Shanequa Shanta Ortiz. The following year on October 25, 1983 they welcomed their second daughter Tiesha Laquan Ortiz. 

Jose Ortiz became a uncle of two nieces Tabitha Taylor (1983), Shaenna Taylor (1990) and one nephew Kirt Taylor (1985). His niece Tabitha Taylor had three children Keonna M. Jennings (2000), Sharell N. Jennings (2004) and her son Tarell A. Jennings Jr(2008). Jose Ortiz brother Ivan Kenneth Ortiz married his wife Beth Ortiz making her the only sister-in-law to Jose Ortiz. 

On April 8, 2013 his daughter Shanequa Ortiz gave birth to his only grandchild Joshua  Brandon Ortiz. Jose Ortiz spent most of his adulthood living on Davidson Avenue in the Bronx. In the fall of 2019, Jose Ortiz moved upstate New York. 

Jose Ortiz was diagnosed with COVID-19 January 2021 where he was rushed to Montiforie Nyack Hospital. On  February 9, 2021 God called his son Jose Ortiz to join him in his kingdom. Jose Ortiz leaves behind two daughters Shanequa Shanta Ortiz and Tiesha Laquan Ortiz, a grandson Joshua Brandon Ortiz, a mother Zunelda Ortiz, a father Jose Ortiz, a sister Maria Adel Carmen Ortiz, a brother Ivan Kenneth Ortiz, four nieces Tabatha Taylor, Shaenna Taylor, Keonna Jennings and Sharell Jennings, two nephews Kirt Taylor and Tarell Jennings Jr. 

“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

             -1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Sotirios D. Laios, 84, of Old Tappan, passed away on his birthday, Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Beloved husband of Ione Laios (nee Fakazis). Proud and loving father of Elena Laios and her husband Tamas Gabor of Brooklyn. Dearest brother of Effie, Nika, Yianni and the late Stefanos, Tasia and Despo. He is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

Sotirios was an electrical engineer before retiring and has registered two electrical engineering patents. He loved to spend his free time in the garden, painting, and building all sorts of things for his family and friends. He had a zest for life and his memory will continue to be our guiding light. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Service will be held at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, Paramus on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 12 Noon. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spectrum for Living:  https://spectrumforliving.org/giving/  or The New York Botanical Gardens: https://www.nybg.org/join-support/honor-memorial-gifts/

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Danielle Marie Lohsen (nee LaTouche), 58, of Northvale, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 1, 2021. Danielle is the proud and loving mother of Kara Marie Lohsen and Eric John Lohsen. Cherished daughter of Peggy and the late Paul LaTouche. Cherished sister of Gerard LaTouche, Denise Simons, Paul Michael LaTouche and his wife Janet, Patrice LaTouche, Suzanne Dacuba and her husband Andree, and Robert LaTouche. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and beloved friends.

Danielle worked as an executive assistant for Volvo in Rockleigh for many years. Always upbeat, she enjoyed music, dancing, and especially the beach. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Although the Memorial Mass is private, those who wish may participate by viewing a livestream of the mass on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM through the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/danielle-marie-lohsen-funeral-mass-844954

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Henry J. Englehardt, 73, of Norwood, passed on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Loving brother of Denise Englehardt. Beloved uncle of Robert Pineiro Jr., Tara-Marie Pineiro, Elizabeth Pineiro and Angelica Pineiro and great-uncle to Cyrus, Sylvia, Aiden and Alice. Dearest step-father of David Esola, Christine Esola, Kenneth Esola and Richard Esola. Also survived by beloved friend Terri Esola-Englehardt, Joan Knoph and many other loving relatives and friends.

Henry graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School, Old Tappan in 1965.  He attended Glassboro State College and graduated in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Law & Justice.  He was a fraud investigator for the insurance industry most of his career. He had been a Special Police Officer for the Norwood Police Department. Henry loved the outdoors, especially hunting and gun collecting and was a Charter Member of the Millinockett Sportsmen’s club from 1987 to 2018. Later in life, Henry focused on woodworking, making furniture and wood figurines.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Summit Street, Norwood.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.

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Keith Dooly “Boombaning”, age 30 of Closter, unexpectedly passed away Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 while vacationing in Mexico.  Keith was an accomplished carpenter, award-winning athlete, music and tattoo enthusiast and a true lover of friends and nature in his long-standing Boy Scout tradition.  He lived life to the extreme and fullest, finding the beauty in everything with his enormously generous heart. Unfortunately, a childhood illness compounded by Covid and his free-spirited lifestyle took him from us way too soon.

Keith was the beloved son of David and Karen Dooly (née DiBlasio) and brother to Kevin and Kris Dooly of Westwood.  He was the cherished Grandson of Joseph and Ida DiBlasio of Closter and Daniel and Mary Dooly of Westwood.  He was the treasured nephew of Linda and Bill Hanlon, Lorraine Hanlon, Diane and Paul Amodio, Dan and Barbara Dooly, Kathleen Windseth, Robert Dooly and Mikki Estok.  He will be missed by his cousins Gianna and Ashley Volpe, Vinnie DiLuzio, Danielle and Roland Velez, Jennifer and Erin Dooly, Patrick Dooly, Lisa Bourda, Adrien Dooly, Arron and Christine Windseth, and their families. He will especially be missed by close friends Eddie An and Rebecca LaPira, as well as many relatives, friends and loved ones, including Katia Lorena. 

A springtime “celebration of life” will be announced in the near future. Donations may be made to the Closter Boy Scouts Troop 63, agoranson@yahoo.com and also to the Kawasaki Disease Foundation at kdfoundation.org/donate/

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Dolores Ciffone (née Neria), 77 of Old Tappan, formerly of the Bronx passed away peacefully Sunday, January 31, 2021. Born June 14th, 1943 to William and Grace Neria. The Beloved wife of Bob Ciffone. Cherished mother of Bobby Ciffone of Old Tappan and Gina Akos and her husband John, also of Old Tappan. Proud “Minu” of her grandchildren, Niko, Liana, Briana and Alexandra. Dearest sister of the late Barbara Newell and Linda Brancati.

Dolores was a special person to a lot of people. She touched the lives of so many people, we will never know. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced.

Those who wish may make donations in Dolores’ memory to Hi-Tor Animal Care, Pomona NY or to the charity of their choice.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Kevin J. Meehan, 49, of Orangeburg, NY, formerly of River Vale, NJ, passed away on Sunday, January 24, 2021. Loving father of two sons, Tyler, Mickey and his girlfriend Jill and his daughter Erin, or as he liked to refer to her as “baby girl”. Cherished son of Eileen and the late John Meehan. Dearest brother of Jack and wife Margaret, Tara LaMantia and husband Doug, Eileen Malone and husband Steve, Michael and wife Noreen and Ann DeRiso and husband Mike. He is also survived by Jennifer Cahill as well as many other loving relatives and friends.

Kevin was a graduate of Tappan Zee High School class of 1990 and received his Bachelors degree from St. Leo University in central Florida. He was an avid golfer and loved to sunbathe by his pool. He worked as a controller for B & R Rebar in Englewood, NJ and had been a member of Rockland Country Club most his life. Kevin will be remembered for his love of life and always having the best tan.  

Visitation is Saturday, February 6, 2021 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1 PM at St. Catharine’s Church, Blauvelt, NY.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make donations in Kevin’s memory to www.lymedisease.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Barbara Mary Earl was born in New York City on June 4, 1936 to John and Grace Earl (Rhodes).  She grew up in New York City until the age of 16 when her family moved to Englewood, NJ.   Barbara’s life in Englewood led her to her first husband, Alphonso H. Young, Sr. (Pete).  They were married on January 7, 1956 and ultimately divorced in early 2002.  Two children were born from this union; a son, Alphonso H. Young, Jr. (Al) and a daughter, Adrienne R. Young (Mimi).

Barbara’s work career spanned more than 5 decades and encompassed many different and diverse positions.  She was a Librarian at Bergen Community College, a Color Stylist for Burlington Industries, an Office Manager for an oral surgeon and an Aide at Lindgren Day School where she wiped many little noses and kissed many “boo-boo’s” and was adored by all who had the privilege of being around her.

Barbara loved to cook, bake, sew and knit.  Every meal she prepared may have been simple in nature, but was fit for a king.  She enjoyed being a homemaker and decorating her homes and always adding that special essence to everything she touched that made it Barbara’s. 

Barbara always had a spiritual side to her and a great love of reading and understanding the Bible.  She recognized the truth at the tender age of 12, when someone had studied with her mother.  Her mother allowed her to continue her study and walked to attend meetings at a nearby Kingdom Hall, where her love for Jehovah deepened.  Barbara was baptized when she was 14 years old, and remained a faithful witness and a lover of Jehovah God until her death.

After moving to Georgia in mid-2002, Barbara reconnected with a long time friend and was married on December 14, 2002 to George Williams.  They remained married until Barbara’s death on Friday, January 15, 2021.

Barbara is survived by her husband, of 18 years George, her son Al (Carol), her daughter Adrienne (Howard), her eight grandchildren, Jason Allen (Angela), Alyson Young, Kimberly Respeto (Sean), John Young, Andrew Allen (Jennifer), Nataly Young, Alex Young and Haley Young.  Barbara was delighted to be the Great-Grandmother to thirteen great-grandchildren; Gary & Deanna Specht, Maya, Ava and Tyler Respeto, Emma and Asher Allen, Greyson, Kingston and Lilia Allen, Andrew-John Young, Amelia Groschel, and Ariana Norman.  Her four step-children Diana Jones, Timothy Williams, Dorothy Williams and Christopher Williams will remember her gentle, loving and kind spirit.

Barbara will be deeply missed by her immediate family and dozens of nieces, nephews and dear friends.

Robert D. Connelly, 71, of Northvale, passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons and their wives, two grandchildren and four brothers.

Bob was an educator. He enjoyed fishing and cruising and will be forever missed for his quick wit and fun sense of humor.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 23, 2021 from 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the MS Foundation, www.msfocus.org or the American Heart Association, www.heart.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com