Genevieve “Jenny” McDowell (nee Cona), of Old Tappan, NJ, formerly of Pearl River, passed away at home on Friday, November 29, 2013.  Beloved wife of David.  Devoted mother of Anthony Schmerler of Haverstraw, Gary Schmerler of Pearl River and Mary Beyer and her husband Michael of Old Tappan.  Adored grandmother of Nicole and Brooke.  Dearest sister of Michael Cona of FL and the late Marie Cona. 

  Jenny was a registered nurse at Good Samaritan Hospital in Suffern for many years.  She then worked for Sony in Park Ridge, NJ where she retired as an executive secretary.  She belonged to the Romanesque Lodge in Blauvelt and taught religious education at St. Margaret’s RC Church in Pearl River where she was a parishioner.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, Dec 4 at 9:30 AM at St. Pius X RC Church, Old Tappan with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 5-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

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Celia Verra(nee DeMarco), 91, of Palisades, NY, formerly of Flushing, NY, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2013.  Beloved wife of the late Gaetano Verra.  Cherished mother of Mary Ann Miller of Northvale and James Verra and his wife Shay of Strafford, NH.  Adored grandmother of Erika Miller and her husband Scott Douglass of Washington DC, Guy Robert Verra and his wife Julie of Somersworth, NH and the late Braden James Verra.  Loving great-grandmother of Gina, Mikayla, Jennica and Braden.

Celia will be remembered for her soft shoulder, listening ear and keen eye for fashion.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan, NY with interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Flushing.  Visiting hours are Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

Memorial donations to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org would be greatly appreciated.

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Flora Albanese(nee Menti), 85, of Northvale died on Friday, November 22, 2013. Born in Newark, Flora was a lifelong resident of Northvale. She leaves behind her loving husband Joseph and their daughters and son-in-laws, Marianne and Mike DiLuzio of Tappan, Kathleen and Robert Miller of Tappan, Denise and Robert Wagner of River Vale and Linda and Kenneth Kraus of River Vale. Flora has nine grandchildren, Melissa, Kristina, Jenna, Andrew, Joseph, Eric, Michael, Olivia and Lauren and one surviving brother, Peter Menti of Bayonet Point, FL who, along with the rest of her family, friends and lifelong neighbors, feel her absence deeply.

Predeceased by her parents Anthony and Josephine Menti , her brother, Robert Menti and sister, Teresa Menti.  After the untimely deaths of her parents, Flora was adopted by her step parents Guido and Angelina Sterchele, both deceased.  Her step brothers were Romeo, Alchede and Fulvio Sterchele, also all deceased.

Flora worked as a telephone operator in New York City until she became a wife and mother.  She was a generous woman who lived a happy life until her last day. Flora was an active parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church.  She loved to read, crochet and of course, to cook and bake.  The stomachs of everyone she knew will ache without her food, but their hearts ache even more without her radiant warmth.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 9:30 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.  Visiting hours are Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Church, 199 Walnut St., Northvale, NJ 07647.

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  Robert E. McLeester, 86, of Westfield, formerly of Northvale, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2013.  Beloved husband of Triny (nee Naranjo).  Loving father of Kenneth and his wife Debra of Clark and Douglas and his wife Carmen of Flemington.  Adored grandfather of Alec and Luke. Dear brother of the late William, Marion and Dorothy.

  Robert was a US Army Veteran, and a graduate of Syracuse University.  He was a career journalist and retired from American Color in Hackensack as Editor.  In his spare time, he was a journalist and photographer of HS athletic events for several Bergen county newspapers.  While in Northvale he was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church and was a member of the Parish Council, Choir and the President of the St. Anthony’s School Parent’s Guild.  After moving to Westfield he became a parishioner of St. Helen’s RC Church and joined the Choir there as well.  His hobbies included singing, photography, bowling and watching his favorite sports teams the NY Giants, both football and baseball, as well as the NY Mets.  He also enjoyed his time with the Maplewood Glee Club.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 12 Noon at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.  Visiting hours are Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org would be greatly appreciated.

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Thelma Russ (nee Cullum), 92, of Old Tappan, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2013.  Beloved wife of the late William Russ.  Devoted mother of Kevin Russ of Old Tappan and the late Barbara Lynn Russ.  Also survived by her sister Frankie Hooshagen.  A Funeral Service will be held Sunday 2:00 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.  Visitiation will begin at 1:30.

   www.pizzifuneralhome.com

  Robert C. Planz, 88, of River Vale, formerly of Harrington Park, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  He was born in the Village of Port Chester, New York on June 10, 1925 to Charles Christian and Alice (Deutsch) Planz.  Robert married Josephine Marie Terp on November 7, 1948. Beloved husband of Josephine (nee Terp).  Devoted father 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 grandfather of John Christopher and Robert Charles Cornell and Kevin Patrick and Mathew Andrew McKeon.

  Mr. Planz was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII.  Before retiring he was president of Opti-Wright, a manufacturing company of West Warren, MA.  Upon retirement he volunteered at Pascack Valley Hospital and was treasurer of the gift shop and was president of Holiday Farms Condominiums for eleven years.  Robert was a member of the Harrington Park American Legion Post 30.  In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, golf, target shooting, and stamp and coin collecting.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.  Visiting hours are Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

   www.pizzifuneralhome.com

   Richard J. Nelson, 81, of Manahawkin and Hollywood, FL, formerly of Northvale, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013.  Beloved husband of Ann (nee Provitera).  Devoted father of Ricky Nelson of Clifton, Tracey Ferraro and her husband Christopher of Northvale and Christopher Nelson and his wife Maryann of Oradell.  Cherished grandfather of Sean, Christopher, Chelsea, Jamie, Olivia, Sophia and Christopher.

   Mr. Nelson was a US Navy Korean War Veteran.  Before retiring he worked for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 52 in NYC for many years.  Besides the love of his family, Richard enjoyed spending his time by the water, fishing, playing cards and especially loved gardening.  He will be dearly missed.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.  Visiting hours are Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org would be greatly appreciated.

   www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Nicholas Mattiace, 85, of Closter, formerly of Bergenfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 17, 2013.  He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Norma (nee Boyd), and his beloved children, Linda Zappulla and her husband Tony of Blauvelt, NY, Nicholas Mattiace and his wife Barbara of River Vale, Steven Mattiace and his wife Suzanne of Old Tappan, Lisa Battell and her husband Kevin of Emerson and Lori Mattiace O’Connor of Northvale.  Cherished grandfather of Kimberly, Cheryl, Jill, Nicholas, JoAnn, Lisa, Melissa, Sara, Daniel, Kristian, Olivia, Zachary, Kassidy and Kamryn and great-grandfather of Paul, Julia, Joseph, Nicholas, Connor, Tyler, Gracyn, Evan, Matthew and Ella.  He was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters.

Nick was known for his big heart, generosity, and devotion to his family and friends.  A US Army Veteran of WWII and a business owner, his dedication to all that he did was an inspiration to all that knew him.  All who had the good fortune to meet Nick, not only knew it, but rarely forgot him. With his quick wit and contagious smile, he not only had the ability to fill a room with laughter, but he was a source of happiness wherever he went.  There are no words that can quite do Nick justice, but a testament to his life can be found in all those he leaves behind who have been inspired by this truly amazing man.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, Closter with interment to follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale.

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Howard Charles Frasse, 82, of Norwood, died on Friday, November 8, 2013.  Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Howard has resided in Norwood for 52 years.  He served in the US Air Force (1951-1955) as a Crypto Technician.  He worked for CitiBank as a Manager until he retired in 1991.  He then became a Crossing Guard for the Borough of Norwood for eleven years, retiring in 2005.  Howard was a member of the Church of the Holy Communion, Norwood, and served on the Vestry for many years.  He is survived by his wife, Sarah (Sally) of 56 years; three sons, William and his wife Colette of Park Ridge, Thomas of Norwood and John of McKinney, TX; and grandchildren Alison and Nicholas.  Loving brother of Joan B. Taylor of Monroe Twp., NJ.   Uncle of Christine and Edward Moriarty, Alison and Jeffrey Parsons, James and Ellen Taylor, Crystal and Joseph Fernandez and Jennifer and Martin Gilligan.  A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of the Holy Communion on Saturday, December 7 at 11:00 AM with entombment of the cremains in the Church Columbarium.  The family requests donations be made to the Church of the Holy Communion, 66 Summit St., Norwood, NJ 07648 and/or the Norwood EMS, PO Box 8, Norwood.

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Vincent P. Criscuolo, 72, of Dumont, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013.  Beloved husband of 51 years to Marilyn (nee Byron).  Devoted father of Mark and his wife Teresa of Northvale and Matthew and his fiancée Melissa of Vernon.  Cherished grandfather of Nicholas and Sara.  Loving son of Florence and the late Salvatore Criscuolo.  Dear brother of June Kittel of Bronx, NY and Helen Coyle and her husband Joseph Coyle of Gordonsville, VA.  Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Before retiring, Vincent was an electrician with IBEW Local 3 in NYC.  He served in the USMC and was a member of the American Legion.  He also belonged to the Dumont Elks and the Passaic River Yacht Club.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday 11:00 AM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087, www.mskcc.org, in Vincent’s name would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com