March 23, 1991 – April 18, 2019

On April 18, 2019, Jacqueline Winter Thomas crossed to the other side of the river. She was 28.

She was a poet, a philosopher, a lover of trees, and delighted in snowfall, who strived always to translate herself. She loved mountains and rivers and was most comfortable in her solitude, wherever or in whomever she found it. She held a bachelor’s degree in literature from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a masters of fine arts in creative writing from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. She had recently been accepted as an English fellow at Brandeis University’s PhD program. She was a poetry reader at The Adroit Journal and a contributing editor at Eratio Poetry Journal.

Jacqueline is survived by her other, her person, her partner Robert von Heine-Geldern and his family; her loving mother and father, Lisa Venezia Thomas and Charles Thomas; her sister and best friend, Jeanette Thomas, and husband, Matthew Cavender; her Poppa and morning coffee date, Rocco Venezia; her devoted grandparents, Willa and Charlie Thomas; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She treasured her cats Panda and Echo, and fostered and found forever homes for at least nine other shelter cats. She was predeceased by her dear Nonna, Maria Venezia.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held from noon to 3 pm on Wednesday, April 24 at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave., Northvale, NJ. A memorial mass will be held at 11 am Thursday, April 25 at St. Andrew’s R.C. Church, 120 Washington Ave., Westwood, NJ.

The family requests no flowers. To honor Jacqueline’s memory, remember Matthew 25:40: “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Please consider donating in Jacqueline’s name to Heifer International at heifer.org/gift-catalog/honor-cards or mail to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.

Harry George Veras, 87, of Tenafly, formerly of Alpine, passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019. Beloved husband of Mary Margaret (nee Chapman). Cherished father of Virginia Veras of Englewood, Patricia Brigley and husband Keith of Old Tappan, Ellen Bellet and husband Wayne of NYC, Harry G. Veras and wife Mary Ann of Rumson, John Veras and wife Bethanne of Closter and Mary Ayoub and husband Sam of New Milford. Proud grandfather of ten grandchildren.

Harry attended Fordham Preparatory School and Fordham University College of Business Administration and was an officer in the US Air Force. He was the Chief  Financial Officer of Grolier Inc. and later the CEO of Purchasing Management Consulting in New York City.

Harry was a loving father who shared boating, the seashore and collecting model trains with his wife and children.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 24 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Hackensack Cemetery, Hackensack. Visiting hours are Tuesday 4-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, would be greatly appreciated.

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Kashton Alfred Rodriguez, precious 6 month old son of Melissa Messina and Joey Rodriguez of Northvale, passed away on Thursday, April 18, 2019. Beloved little brother of Roman. Cherished grandson of Al and Beverly Messina of Hillsdale and the late Letizia Vicchio. Loving nephew of Amanda Messina.

Kash’s family takes immense comfort knowing that he continues to live on through the Sharing Network’s organ donation program.

 Visitation will be on Saturday, April 27 from 4-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Kashton’s memory to the NJ Sharing Network, www.njsharingnetwork.org, would be greatly appreciated.

NJ Sharing Network Foundation, 691 Central Avenue, New Providence, NJ 07974. Credit cards are accepted using the online contribution form. Please indicate whom your contribution is in memory or in honor of. An acknowledgement of the gift will be sent to the donor family.

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Dominic Francis Narcisco, 39, of Somers, NY, formerly of Tappan, NY, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 15, 2019.  Dominic was the cherished son of Frank and Sandra Narcisco of Tappan, NY and the beloved brother of Anthony & Jennie and Francine & Stefan. He was a proud uncle of Jonathan, Annalise and Nikolai and an adored nephew, cousin, friend, teacher, teammate and coach.  His son, Frankie Giovanni, was the light of his life, for whom he was the utmost loving father.

Dominic was a graduate of Tappan Zee High School, 1998, and SUNY Cortland, 2002, where he played football.  He became a Physical Education Teacher at Primrose Elementary School in Lincolndale, NY where he had taught and coached football for the past 17 years.   His dedication and passion for teaching and coaching has shaped the lives of so many students and athletes.  He was a mentor to many, a true family man, and a bright light to everyone who knew and loved him.  He had a contagious personality, a zest and love for life, and his memory will live on in the hearts of every person’s life he has touched. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, April 24, 2019 at 10am at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Tappan, with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.  Visiting hours are Monday, April 22, 2019 from 6-9pm and Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 2-4pm and

6-8pm at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, a GoFundMe campaign has been established by the Somers Football Community for the benefit of Dominic’s son, Frankie:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/coach-dom-frankie-g

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Jack Jennings, 91, of Mays Landing, NJ passed away peacefully at home on April 5, 2019 with his wife, Jayne, at his side.

Jack was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the only child of Michael and Martha Jennings.  He moved to Brooklyn while in high school and later graduated from Manhattan School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Percussion and a Master of Music in Education.  He worked in the studio recording industry throughout his career between NY and LA as a percussionist appearing on a myriad of TV shows, movie soundtracks and commercial jingles. Jack played with a multitude of famous artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis and jazz greats Lionel Hampton, George Benson, Anita O’Day, Wes Montgomery and many more.  He toured the US and Canada with Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. for a 1988 Rat Pack reunion tour and also played for years in the orchestra of the Broadway musical Cats.  Later in his career, Jack pursued his love of traditional jazz and, with a number of accomplished musician friends, formed a jazz group. They performed for a number of years in North Jersey and then in South Jersey, after he and Jayne relocated to Cape May.

Having raised his family in Norwood, Jack was a long time member of Immaculate Conception Church in Norwood as well as St. Anthony’s Church in Northvale, serving many years as co-choir director of the adult and youth choirs with his wife, Jayne.  Most recently they were member of St. Vincent de Paul Church in Mays Landing, NJ.

Although music was a large part of Jack’s life, his greatest joy came from his family.  He is survived by Jayne, his best friend and wife of 58 years, children John, Mimi (Steve Benvenuti), Kerry (Dan Kelly), Paul, Mark (Rosella), grandchildren Isabel and Garret Benvenuti, Jacklyn, Brayden and Pierce Kelly along with many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial funeral mass will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2019, 2:30 PM at Sacred Heart Church, 102 Park Street in Haworth, NJ.  Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at woundedwarriorproject.org.

“A golden heart stopped beating, hard-working hands at rest”

Marion Caroline Oliveri, (née Verlini) 99, formerly of Northvale, NJ and Florida, went to be with her Lord on April 8 surrounded by her loving family. Beloved wife of the late Anthony Oliveri Sr. they shared 50 years of marriage. Marion was the devoted mother of Anthony Oliveri Jr. (Jane),  Loretta Bleier (John), proud grandmother of Lisa Vreeland (Kurt), Jesse Keegan, Dana Oliveri, and Blake Bleier adoring great-grandmother of Ryan Vreeland, loving sister-in-law of Patricia Oliver, and warmhearted supporter of many nieces, nephews and extended family which she cherished. She was the loving sibling of the late, Elizabeth D’Arcy-Clarke, and Richard Verlini II, and broken-hearted great-grandmother of predeceased  Robert J. Vreeland.

Born March 18, 1920 in Teaneck, New Jersey Marion was the daughter of Emma (née Manzo) and Richard J Verlini Sr.  She graduated from Teaneck High School in 1937 and secretarial school on Wall Street in 1938. Always a valued employee, her favorite position was serving and being surrounded by children in the Northvale Public Schools where she was secretary from 1963-1984.

Marion an active member of her community, she was a member/volunteer for many organizations.  True to who Marion was she left detailed files for her passing including lists of the many organizations she served and positions she held.  They are recounted here, from her own words and recollections: Cub Scouts and Girl Scout leader; Northvale Ambulance Corps (1961-1971); Eucharistic minister and Social Concerns Committee both of Saint Anthony’s Parish in Northvale (where she started the tree of life in 1987) and Saint Michael the Archangel in Hudson Florida; PTA president Nathan Hale School Northvale; President of Norwood/Northvale Woman’s Club; Membership Chairman of the NJ Federation Woman’s Club; Hospice Volunteer 10 years; Bayonet Point Hospital  Volunteer 10 years; President of the Northvale Golden Age Club (instituted parliamentary procedure); Treasurer, Golden Age Club; election Board; Red Hats Club;Volunteer at the Vietnam Wall experience in 2002; vice president to the Estate Homeowners Association in Florida, head of travel trips/cruises for seven years; Usher River Edge High School activities 10 years; started canasta club at Ridgecrest; Westside Presbyterian Church knit/ crochet shawls for people in need Including Veterans Homes. Participated in Walk at Work Day.

Marion’s joy in life was her family. Her family felt her most endearing quality was making everyone feel welcome in her home. There were no strangers at Marion’s table; everyone became family. She will be well remembered for her huge trays of Christmas cookies.

A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, April 23 at 10 AM at Saint Anthony’s Church in Northvale with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Paramus. Visiting hours are Monday, April 22, 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home 120 Parisi Ave. Northvale (201-767-3050).

Memorial donations, in lieu of flowers, may be made to “Robby’s Rabbits”. Founded by Marion’s granddaughter Lisa and her husband Kurt in memory of their son, Robby.

“Robby’s Rabbits” places stuffed rabbits in the aching arms of newly bereaved parents. If desired, one may bring a new stuffed animal to the funeral home and/or make a donation to:

Robby’s Rabbits,  PO Box 31, Haworth, NJ 07641

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful.” (Proverbs 15:13) All will remember Marion’s most noted attribute, her beautiful smile shining from her happy heart. At Marion’s request, please be joyful and celebrate with her family her long life, well lived.

Her family thank and  acknowledge all the caregivers and staff from the Emerson Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, they took such wonderful care and truly became part of her family for the last 3 1/2 years.

We also thank everyone who has walked this life path with Marion, each one of you brought your own sunshine to her life.

Let us all smile a little more whenever we think of her.

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Joan Bender (nee Walther), 88, of Cresskill for over 60 years passed away on Friday, April 12, 2019. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Cherished mother of Kerry and wife Janice of Hillsdale, Kyle and wife Tracy of Ramsey, the late Kevin and wife Jean, and the late Katherine Patterson and husband Steve. Adored grandmother of Carrie, Chrissy, Nicholas, Taylor, Maya, Christian and Emmy. Great grandmother of Bennett and Katherine, Teddy and Maggie. Loving sister of Gertrude Bodrato of Norwood, Alma Kohut of Garnerville, NY and Paul Walther of Norwood. Graduate of Closer high school, formerly employed by Scholastic Magazine, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, GM Chemical, Tenafly, NJ, and Hotel Research in Closter, NJ. She was a parishioner of St. Theresa Church in Cresskill. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed long walks.

Visiting hours are Sunday 2-5 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A funeral service will be held at the funeral home on Monday at 10 AM with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joan’s memory may be made to Concord VNA Hospice House, P.O. Box 1792 Concord, New Hampshire 03302-1797 OR Life Choice Donor Services, 340 West New Berry Road, Bloomfield CT, 06002.

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Robert R. Finning, 84, of Tappan, NY, passed away on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. Beloved husband of Carole (nee Schultz) for 63 years. Cherished father of Peter and wife Peggy of Rockville Center, NY, Robert of Randolph, NJ and Richard and wife Wendy of Orangeburg, NY. Adored grandfather of Skyler, Patrick, Daniel, Kevin and Jeffrey. Dearest brother of the late Dorothy Bluett.

Robert was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion John M. Perry Post 1044 in Sparkill. He was a dedicated parishioner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church in Tappan and was trustee for over 40 years as well as a lector. Before retiring, Robert was a financial analyst in NYC.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church, Tappan with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. Visiting hours are Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

Those who wish may make donations in Robert’s memory to the John M. Perry Post 1044, PO Box 311, Sparkill, NY 10976 to support their scholarship programs.

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Kenneth M. Witherell, 56, of Tappan, passed away at home on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. He is survived by his loving former wife Trish Hennigan. Kenny was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Dorothy (nee McKee) Witherell and his brothers and sister, Ricky, Meg Mezzasalma, Michael and Dave Witherell. Dearest brother-in-law of Joe Mezzasalma, Ann Witherell and Janet Witherell. Cherished uncle of Joey, Stephen, Tina, Michael and Paul.

Kenny worked at Materials Research Corporation in Orangeburg for over 18 years. He loved the outdoors and was an avid golfer, boater, fisherman, enjoyed time around the fire in his garage and spending summer vacations at Lake George. Kenny also loved to bowl and was proud to have bowled a 300 game. He was also a very talented woodworker. Kenny will be dearly missed by many friends, neighbors, and all who knew him.

Visiting hours will be Thursday 6-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050).

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Thomas Patrick Farrell, 56, of Northvale, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. He was the cherished father of Hilary and Connor. Beloved son of Marie and the late Thomas Farrell. Dear brother of Michael and his wife Barbara and Joseph and his wife Janice. Also survived by Heather Bodrato Farrell. Loving nephew of Prudie LaCavalla, he was also a loving uncle, cousin and dear friend to many.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 6 at 12 noon at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.

Those who wish may make donations in Tom’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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