Joseph Salerno, 77, of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Sunday, February 6, 2022. Beloved husband of Carolyn (nee Davanzo). Loving father of Ralph and proud grandfather of Nicholas. Dearest brother of Dominic and the late Anthony, Michael and John. Also survived by many loving relatives and friends.

Joe was a US Navy Veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of the Norwood American Legion and the Northvale VFW. Joe recently retired from the Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders where he was chief engineer for over 52 years.

Funeral services will be private.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

George C. Wong, 98, of Chestnut Ridge, NY passed away on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.  He was the devoted father of Victoria Wong, Gloria Wong, Daniel Wong and Donald Wong. He was a cherished grandfather of Angela, Dion, Sean, Dylan, Brittany, Arienne, Danielle and Matthew.

George was a first generation Chinese American born in San Jose, CA.  He proudly served in the US Army during WWII and was a Purple Heart recipient. He later moved to NY and worked as a Maître D at many fine restaurants such as the Opera House and Tappan Hill restaurant.   While raising his kids together with his ex-wife Kam Fung, he managed to provide his kids things that he could not afford, such as buying his daughter and son musical instruments while they were going to school.  He always had a love and passion for horses and since he couldn’t afford one, he would go to many different racetracks to watch them race. 

 George enjoys family gatherings such as graduations, birthday parties and holidays.  He enjoys eating and spending time with his grandkids. 

He will be fondly remembered for his love and dedication to his children and grandchildren.  Although he has passed, he will always be remembered as a kind and compassionate caring father and grandfather.

Visiting hours are Sunday, February 13, 2022 from 2 – 5:30 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.  Funeral will be Monday, February 14, 2022 from 10 – 11 AM with burial at 11:30 AM at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Mihai Kardos, 70, of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Saturday, January 29, 2022. Beloved husband of Emilia (nee Puscas). Loving father of Melinda Grimmer and her husband Andrew of Old Tappan, John Kardos and his wife Khristi of Cliffside Park and the late Mihaly. Proud grandfather of Luke Grimmer. Dearest brother of Elizabeth, Victor and Kathy.

Mihai was an engineer for the Sheraton Hotel in Rutherford for over 25 years.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, February 1, 2022 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, February 2, 2022 at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

John J. McDonald, 84, of Dumont, NJ, formerly of Blauvelt, NY, passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022. Beloved husband of the late Mary B. McDonald (nee Buckley). Loving father of Edward McDonald and his partner Sandra of Nanuet and Cara Chappell and her husband Walter of Dumont. Proud grandfather of Kyle, Andrew, Ryan, Kasey, Emily and the late Kevin. Dear brother of Annette Leed, Margaret McDonald, Harold McDonald and wife Lorraine and the late Marie Mawhinney.

John retired from Chase Manhattan Bank in Nyack, NY. He started a transplant support group at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for liver recipients, of which John was very proud.

Visiting hours are Saturday, February 5, 2022 from 2-5 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to St. Catharine’s Preschool, 517 Western Highway, Blauvelt, NY 10913.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Peter James Mager, 61, of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Friday, January 7, 2022. Beloved son of the late Richard A. and Mary A. Mager.  Cherished brother of Richard C. Mager and wife Regina of Northvale, NJ; Robert D. Mager and wife Wendy of Concord, North Carolina; Mary C. Pisculli and husband Ronald of Port Charlotte, Florida; and Jean M. Mager-Johnson and husband Leon of Norwood, NJ. Loving uncle of Daniel, Ryan, Jamie, Douglas, Matthew and Sarah. Also survived by many other dear relatives and friends.

Peter was proud of his employment at the Friendship House Workshop in Hackensack, NJ where he worked for over 25 years. Peter was a lovable, kind-hearted person who took great pride in his Irish heritage, was an avid NY Mets fan, a Civil War buff, and deeply cherished his G.I. Joe and stuffed animal collections.

A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter’s memory may be made to Special Olympics at https://support.specialolympics.org/a/legacy

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Carmen Albanese, 95, of Northvale, passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022. She was born into the Sorriento family to Richard and Frances in Piermont, NY. Beloved wife of 74 years to the late Vincent J Albanese. Loving mother of Ronald and wife Lily of Westwood, Kenneth and wife Christine of Lords Valley, PA, Robert of Northvale and Peggy of Northvale. Proud grandmother of Nicholas, Julie, Allison, Vincent, Andrew, Peter, Natalie and Amanda and great-grandmother of nine. Dearest sister of Vera Tyndall.

Carmen worked a various pharmacies for many years. After retiring she enjoyed being a Nanny to many of the neighborhood girls. She was a member of the Piermont VFW, loved reading and crossword puzzles and cherished holidays and family gatherings.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

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

https://boxcast.tv/channel/carmen-albanese-493260

In lieu of flowers, donations in Carmen’s memory may be made to the North Shore Animal Shelter, www.animalleague.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Dora D. Gray, 60, of Harrington Park, formerly of Northvale, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022. Beloved mother of Anthony and Michael. Cherished daughter of Marie Yaroslawski and the late Joe Gray. Loving sister of John, Sharon and the late Joseph. She is also survived by John Canfora, father of Anthony and Michael.

Dora was a customer service representative at Keystone Folding Box Co. in Newark. She was a devoted mother, daughter and loyal friend.  She will be missed.

Visiting hours are Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 2-4 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale with a service at 4 PM.

Those who wish may contribute to benefit Dora’s children through the link below:

https://gofund.me/a1395cf2

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Thomas Henry Simpson, 94, of Old Tappan, formerly of River Vale, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 17, 2022. Tom was the beloved husband of Dorothy (nee Lowell) for 73 years. He was the loving father of Thomas E. Simpson and wife Marilyn of Harrington Park, Kathleen Rizza and husband Patrick of Emerson, and Carolyn Hulsizer and husband David of Ramsey. Proud grandfather of Erica Sposa and husband Rick, Kyle Rizza, Thomas J. Simpson and wife Theresa, Timothy Rizza and wife Kelli, Brendan Rizza and wife Bridget, Stephanie Hulsizer, and David Hulsizer, Jr. Adored great-grandfather of Giuliana and Katelyn Sposa, Thomas L. Simpson, and Jackson Rizza. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry and Irene Simpson, brother, Daniel Simpson and sister, Ruth Stark.

Tom was a US Navy Veteran who proudly served his country in World War II, just recently being awarded his service medals. He joined the Township of River Vale Police Department in 1955, and rose to the rank of Police Chief in 1971, a role that he held until his retirement in 1992. He was a member and past president of both the NJ State Police Chiefs Association and the Bergen County Police Chiefs Association. He was a past president of the State Association of Chiefs of Police and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Tom never forgot a name, a face or a phone number, and he loved listening to bagpipe music. He adored telling stories, spending time on Cape Cod, and enjoying time with his family.

The family will accept visitors on Friday, January 21, 2022 from 4-7PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at 10AM at the funeral home with interment to follow at Westwood Cemetery. Those who wish may make a donation in Tom’s memory to the COPD Foundation, www.copdfoundation.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

William (Bill) E. Kreeger, 76, of Closter, NJ, passed away at home on Sunday, January 16, 2022. Born and raised in Rockleigh, NJ to the late Knox and Emily Kreeger, he was the beloved husband of Ricky Kreeger. Cherished father of Kristin Urban and husband Andrew, Evan Kreeger and partner Marnie Barone, Adam Katz and wife Jackie and Doug Katz and wife Laura. Loving grandfather of Lillian “Lulu”, Jillian, Katie, Yaakov, Dovid, Chana and Avraham. Dearest brother of Dennis and wife Carol, Donald and wife Susan and the late Lee. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Bill taught at Hillside School in Closter for 37 ½ years where he was loved by the students, staff and parents alike. He coached youth sports, had a passion for basketball and was an avid golfer – who no one could out drive.  Bill was a wonderful, kind person and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family in NY, NJ and his winter home in Ft. Myers, Florida.

Visiting hours are Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A funeral service will be Friday, Jan. 21, 2022 at the funeral home 11am – Noon with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

The funeral service can be viewed through the livestream link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/william-e-kreeger-funeral-service-556296

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Cure PSP, www.psp.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Ermioni (Erma) Bastas (nee Daniil) died on Friday, January 14, 2022 after her two-year battle with cancer.  Beloved wife of 48 beautiful years of Stamatios (Steve) Bastas.  Cherished mother of Konstantinos and his wife, Valia, and Eleni Tikkanen and her husband, Erik.  Beloved grandmother of Stephen and Emilia. 

Ermioni was known for her kindness, generosity, and endless giving.  Always warm and welcoming to others, she treated everyone she met with care, compassion and sincere interest.  Her heart was full of love for those around her. 

Born in a small village in Larissa, Greece, Ermioni emigrated to the United States in 1971.  She soon met her husband, Stamatios, and they were married in 1974.  Her focus was always on her family.  She worked tirelessly side-by-side with her husband to provide for their children and ensure they had everything that was never afforded to her.  She built a home, a successful business, and a legacy of love. 

Her proudest moments in life were becoming a grandparent.  She truly loved children and was the quintessential grandmother to all.  From soothing crying babies, to singing songs, and giving out lollipops, she always knew what to do in every situation.

She will be truly missed by all who had the chance to know her.  May her memory be eternal. 

A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday morning at 10 AM at The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenafly with visiting beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment will follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Basil Academy of Garrison, NY link to: https://sbagoa.org/ or The Make A Wish Foundation.  link to:  https://secure2.wish.org/site/TR;jsessionid=00000000.app206a?fr_id=4017&pg=personal&px=6823212&NONCE_TOKEN=B21A591EEF426142FFE37434ED706E59#.YeWk2ljMLMJ