Mark Anthony Plescia, Sr., 74, of Old Tappan, NJ, formerly of Norwood, NJ, passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Laura (nee Ciccarelli). Devoted father of Mark Anthony (Sharon), Daniel (Nicole), Wendi Heffernan (Jimmy), Michael (Ashley), David (Christie), Tristan and Eden. Proud grandfather of Luke, Hallie, Dylan, Amelia, Jimmy Jr., Marshall, Madison, Harper, Finley and Mia. Loving brother of Craig, Gary (Joanne), Anthony (Donna), Nanette and  Alan (Toni). Dear uncle of many cherished nieces and nephews

Mark was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Gladys and his brother, Keith.

A hard-working, honest and giving man with incredible faith, Mark proudly owned and operated Plescia Roofing. His family meant everything to him. He was the guy who answered the phone, “What do you need? Where and when? I’m there for you anytime, day or night.”  He was a huge supporter of Saint Joseph Regional High School and was inducted in its Hall of Fame He will be forever remembered for his generosity and quick smile.

Visiting hours are Friday, January 3, 2025 from 3-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, January 4, 2025 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with entombment to follow at Fairview Mausoleum, Fairview, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mark to Saint Joseph Regional Foundation, Inc.,PO Box 584, Saddle River, NJ 07458, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Joseph P. Pallatta, 82, of Old Tappan, NJ, formerly of Bergenfield, NJ, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024. Beloved husband of 60 years to Maureen (nee Nixon). Cherished father of Michael and his wife Theresa and his dear departed son, Joey. Adored grandfather of Shannon and Brendan. Dear brother of Jack and his late wife Greta and Dennis and his wife Denise. Loving uncle of Jack M., Vicki, Craig, Steven and Laurie.

Joe was a graduate of Bergenfield High School and was captain of the State Champion Football Team. Always hard-working, he was a General Manager for DeMartini Chevrolet in Cliffside Park for 30 years and then McGuire Chevrolet in North Bergen. He recently retired from his own business, J. Pallatta Leasing Company. He was a member of Sons of Italy Rockland Lodge 2176 in Blauvelt, NY.

Visiting hours are Thursday, January 2, 2025 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 3, 2025 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 in Joe’s memory to Spectrum For Living, www.spectrumforliving.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

John Stephen Kowalchuk, 82, of Henderson, Nevada, formerly Palisades Park, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. Beloved husband of 58 years to Diane Susan Kowalchuk. Loving father of Douglas J. Kowalchuk and his wife Bernadette, and Jeffrey C. Kowalchuk. Cherished grandfather of Christopher, Matthew, Danielle, Kaitlyn and Kelli.

John graduated from Farmingdale State College in NY and became an accomplished Chemist where he worked for Lever Brothers for over 40 years.  During that time, he created 2 utility patents.  He was also very active in the Cub Scouts and Little League baseball while his sons were growing up.  After retirement, he and Diane moved to Henderson, NV.  He enjoyed time with family and friends, and loved music, his dogs, the casino, and playing games. 

Visiting hours are Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.  Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: Bergen Family Center, 44 Armory Street, Englewood, NJ. 07631.

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Angelo John “Sharkey” Scaglione of Northvale passed peacefully at 96 years old on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. He is predeceased by his loving wife Catherine (nee Gangeri). He is survived and loved by all of his children, Theresa and husband Robert Brenner of Satellite Beach, Florida, Joseph Scaglione and partner Fara Evans of Northvale, John and wife Roberta Scaglione of Kihei, Hawaii, Peter and wife Ramona Scaglione of Mercerville, NJ, Thomas and wife Ann Scaglione of San Marcos, California, and Catherine and husband Edmilson Amaral of Sparkill, NY. He is a beloved grandfather and great-grandfather of many grandchildren as well as a loving uncle and friend to so many.

Sharkey was born in Norwood and proudly raised his family with his devoted wife of over 40 years in Northvale. A talented landscape designer all of his life, he opened a landscaping business with his brother Joe (now 101 years old) and eventually went solo employing all of his sons and many local residents of the community. In his retirement, he would sketch pictures which he later turned into cards to share with everyone he loved. His artistry and creativity was a gift to many. His sense of humor and readiness with a joke was part of his charm and incredible personality. He had an uncanny ability to make everyone around him smile. That smile will be dearly missed.

Sharkey was a devoted Detroit Lions fan and it was his hope and dream to see them finally reach a Super Bowl. Go Lions!!

Visiting hours will be Friday, December 27, 2024 from 4:00-8:00 at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be held at St Anthony’s Church on Franklin Street in Northvale where Sharkey was a devoted parishioner on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 10:00 am. Interment will follow at Rockland Cemetery in Sparkill, NY.

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

https://boxcast.tv/channel/angelo-john-sharkey-scaglione-pyygj3cioq5qghrvprak

In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in Sharkey’s honor,

www.thetreesremember.com/memorial-trees.

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Onofrio “Nuffy” Savino, 85, of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Mary. Beloved father of Nicholas and Joseph Savino, as well as his daughter-in-law, Tara. Proud grandfather of Sophia and Lea. Dear brother of the late Agnes Evangelista, late brother-in-law Anthony Evangelista and loving uncle of Andrew and the late Anthony.  Also survived by many other loving relatives and cherished friends. 

A native of the Bronx, Nuffy graduated from Aviation High School in Manhattan.  He later enrolled in the Army and was aproud US Army Veteran. After 9 years at UPS as a manager, he left to own and operate a Carvel Ice Cream in Norwood for 20 years before starting Royalty Limo. He was also a crossing guard in Norwood for many years. Nuffy was very involved in the community.  He was a member of the Norwood American Legion, a founder of the Optimist Club of Norwood and President of the Norwood Little League where he coached his sons’ teams for many years. He had deep respect and love for America, the Yankees and card games.  Nuffy had a quick wit, loved to make people laugh and will be missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours are Saturday, December 21, 2024 from 3-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11 AM. Interment will follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nuffy’s memory to Disabled American Veterans would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Andrew Anthony Oakes, 88, of Harrington Park, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 15, 2024. He lived a life marked by creativity, faith, and deep family connections.

Growing up as one of ten children born to immigrant parents in Philadelphia during the 1930s and 1940s, Andrew experienced a childhood of modest means that would later inform his remarkable journey of achievement and invention. Andrew was a US Army veteran who earned a BFA from the Philadelphia College of Art and his master’s from Stanford University.

Andrew married a young woman he met at art school, Marcia Meaney in 1960. Their long relationship centered around their faith, their devotion to family, and a profound love of art and creativity. He enjoyed restoring antique radios and spending time helping his wife prepare and show her art.

As an accomplished industrial designer, Andrew made significant contributions across multiple fields, but he was particularly renowned for his groundbreaking work in medical equipment design. He developed, improved, and patented life-saving technologies for prominent companies like Becton Dickinson and Bayer, working early in his career under the mentorship of design legends Henry Dreyfuss and Walter Dorwin Teague.

Andrew is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Helen Marcia Oakes. His legacy continues through his three sons—Eric (and wife Kim), Christopher (and wife Mary), and Sean (and wife Rebecca)—and eight grandchildren: Brian, Kailee, Thomas, Daniel, Emma, Abigail, Andrew, and John. He is also survived by his sisters Josephine Parker and Rita Oakes, and is  predeceased by his siblings Earle, John, Marie, Harry, Annie, Pauline, and Annette.

A man of innovation, faith, and family devotion, Andrew will be deeply missed by his loving relatives and friends.

Visiting hours are Thursday, December 19, 2024 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park, NJ with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

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Roger P. Hawkes, age 80, of River Vale, NJ, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024. He was born in North Hudson Hospital in Weehawken and grew up in Union City. Beloved husband of predeceased Anne Marie (nee Masters) Hawkes. Loving father of Brian Hawkes and wife Lindsay and Tara Costa and husband David. Proud grandfather of Aidan, James, Zoe, Olivia, and Riley. Dearest brother of Fred Hawkes. Survived by many in laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Roger was a US Army Veteran. He retired from American Compressed Gases/Dry Ice Corp after a 50-year career that started as a driver and ended as Vice President.

Visiting hours are Sunday, December 22, 2024, from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Pius X RC Church on Monday, December 23, 2024 at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roger’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

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Elias John Michalakis, later known as Leo Michaels, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024, at the age of 89. Leo was born (as Elias) on the beautiful island of Chios, Greece, on November 2, 1935, to his parents, the late Reverend John Michalakis and Eugenia (nee Mihalos). He was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian, who dedicated much of his life to the Church as a psalti (chanter) and choir director.

Leo is descended from an unbroken line of Greek Orthodox priests, in Chios, that date back to (at least) the 1700s. Having grown up, literally, inside the Church, his knowledge of the Holy Services was extensive, and priests often consulted him for guidance; and which knowledge was a cherished asset that he brought to his many decades of service to the Church as a choir director and chanter.

From a very young age, Leo had a passion for chanting in the Greek Orthodox Church. Even as a child, he served as a psalti, lending his voice to the Church’s sacred hymns and Holy Traditions alongside his father, a priest, who, together, glorified God at many Divine Services in various locales throughout Chios.

Beyond his spiritual contributions, Leo pursued a career as a chemist, a profession in which he excelled after graduating from Wagner College (B.S.) and Stevens Institute of Technology (Masters). Leo was also a very enthusiastic youth baseball coach for both of his sons’ teams; and regaled many with his wonderful voice singing with the Rockland County Choral Society, including glorious performances of Handel’s Messiah every Christmas season at the beautiful West Point Cadet Chapel.

Leo’s happy place was the vacation home that he and his wife, Evangeline (“Beca”), built in their beloved Catskill Mountains, where they first met in 1956 at a Greek hotel (Kalithea) in Hensonville, NY, during the summer when Leo was working as a waiter while on break from Wagner College. He and Beca chose to build a summer home in nearby Fleischmanns, NY, where they spent every summer and off-season weekend (weather permitting). It is also where, nearby, Leo would chant at the Divine Liturgy with his son (Bishop Christodoulos) presiding at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Ascension in Bearsville, NY; where Leo chose to be buried, and which sits nestled in the beloved mountains of his adopted country; a country that he loved dearly.

Leo was a loving and devoted husband to Beca (a/k/a “Vangie”) Michaels (nee Yuelys) for 66 years, who survives him. Together they raised three children in Sparkill, NY: Bishop Christodoulos, Eleni, and Dennis. Leo also leaves behind a son-in-law Kent (Eleni’s husband), and a daughter-in-law Susan (Dennis’s wife); and a legacy of love in his five cherished grandchildren: Eliana (Michael), Elexa (Ryan), Lukas (Alison), Justinian, and Zoe (Christian). Leo’s spirit will continue to live on through them, and also through his brand new great-granddaughter, Amelia Evangeline, and an imminently soon-to-be-born great-grandson!

Leo will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to his family, his strong Orthodox Christian faith, and his contributions to the Church and its ministries. He touched the lives of many, and will be deeply missed by all who had the joy of knowing him.

May Leo’s soul rest with Jesus Christ and His Saints, and may his beautiful voice join with the Angels singing to the eternal glory of God; and may his memory be eternal!

Visitation will be Friday, December 20, 2024, from 10:30 – 11:30 AM, at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 1 Marycrest Rd, West Nyack, NY 10994, with a Funeral Service to follow at 11:30 AM. Interment will take place at Holy Ascension Greek Orthodox Church Cemetery, 521 Cold Brook Rd, Bearsville, NY 12409.

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Shirley A. Walsh (nee Wise), 92, of Rockleigh, NJ and formerly of Lansdale, PA, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024. She was the beloved wife of William J. Walsh, her husband of 55 years, and a cherished sister, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, and aunt. 

Born August 5, 1932 in Washington DC, she was the daughter of the late Milton Blair and Anna Elizabeth Wise. After marrying Bill in 1956, Shirley moved with him to Pennsylvania, where they ultimately settled in Lansdale and raised their six sons.  They were active members of the Corpus Christi Church and the Lansdale Catholic High School communities. Shirley will be fondly remembered as the gracious matriarch of the Walsh clan and as a devoted friend to many.

Shirley is survived by five sons, William J. Walsh, Jr. (Patricia), John J. Walsh, Thomas J. Walsh (Shannon), Peter J. Walsh (Stephanie), and Christopher J. Walsh (Jennifer); 13 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her sister, Jean McNamara; her sister-in-law, Pat Fennel; her brother-in-law, Jack Walsh (Michele); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her son, Matthew J. Walsh; and her grandson, Joseph V. Walsh. 

A viewing will be held Friday, December 20, 2024 from 6-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A second viewing will begin 9:30 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024 at Corpus Christi RC Church, 900 Sumneytown Pike, Lansdale, PA, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in St. John Neumann Cemetery, Chalfont, PA.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to Lansdale Catholic High School for the Matthew J. Walsh Scholarship Fund, attention: Lansdale Catholic Office of Institutional Advancement, 700 Lansdale Ave., Lansdale, PA 19446.

Josephine Margaret Kane (nee Sacci), 82, of Harrington Park, NJ, passed away after a series of illnesses, on Monday, December 2, 2024. Beloved wife of William L. Kane Sr. Loving mother of William L. Kane Jr. and Sharon Essmann and husband Shawn. Adored grandmother of Ryan and Lilly Essmann. Caring sister of Annette Schembari and her late husband Angelo, and Valerie Ditta and husband Vincent. Proud aunt of Angelo Jr., James, Leslie and Stephen.

Jo, a native of Jersey City, NJ, graduated from Dickenson High School in June 1960. She was a bookkeeper at Irving Trust Company, in NY City. She loved Bingo and the lottery, but most of all, she loved her family.

Visiting hours are Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 1-3 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A memorial service will follow at 3 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Holy Name Hospice Care at Villa Marie Claire,
https://www.holyname.org/foundation/support.aspx, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com