Matthew G. Keefe, 52, of Park Ridge, NJ, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2020. Matt was predeceased by his parents James and Jeanne and his brother Thomas. He is survived by his sister Jeanine of Tappan and brother James of CA. 

Matt spent most of his career working at Liberty Travel as a Voice Telecom Analyst from 2005-2018. 

After that he spent most of his time fishing in many of the NJ reservoirs and waterways, and of course attending many great concerts. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, February 17 at 10:45 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers donations in Matt’s memory can be made to 

www.defenders.org  or www.riverkeeper.org.

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Teresa Mosca (nee Lore), 95, of Old Tappan, formerly of Fort Lee, passed away on Friday, February 7, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Al. Cherished mother of Harry Mosca and his wife Mindy of Old Tappan.  Adored grandmother of Al and Louie. Dear sister of Clara Braney, Dominic, Anthony and the late William, Joseph, Bart, James, Philip, Mary Pignotti and Dolly Melione. Dearest aunt of many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at 10 AM at St. Pius X RC Church, Old Tappan with entombment to follow at Madonna Mausoleum, Fort Lee. Visiting hours are Tuesday 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

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        Cecelia R. Harlan, 87, died on February 5, 2020 at Thorpe Village in Sparkill, NY.  Cecelia was born April 21, 1932 in Nyack, NY, to George and Amelia (Havey) Lediger.  She grew up in Orangeburg, NY, and graduated from Congers High School, Congers, NY.

          Cecelia spent her entire life as a loving wife and mother, caring for her children and grandchildren, as well as helping her many friends and neighbors. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time at the Thorpe Senior Center in Sparkill. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church, the Catholic Daughters, Court St. Anne, and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary, all in Piermont, NY.

          Cecelia is survived by two sons, Edward G. Harlan of Wesley Chapel, FL, Br. Michael Harlan, O.F.M., of St. Francis Friary, New York, NY; three daughters, Brenda (Robert) Caputi of Middletown, NY, Terri (Paul) Dertinger of Pearl River, NY, Clare (Paul) Starink of Tappan, NY, nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.  Cecelia is also survived by her son-in-law, Alex Tyszczenko of Chestnut Ridge, NY, sister-in-laws, Joan Lediger of Pearl River, NY, and Mary Clifford of Sparkill; several cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

          In addition to her parents, Cecelia was predeceased by her beloved husband, Edward J. Harlan, her son, Kevin Harlan, daughter, Cecilia Tyszczenko, her sister Mary Van Zilen, and brother George Lediger.

          The family will receive friends on Monday, February 10, 2020, from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at St. John the Baptist Church, Piermont, NY at 11 am, with burial to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

          In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Cecelia’s name to the Dominican Sisters of Sparkill, Advancement Office, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976, or the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province, Office of Development, 144 West 32^nd Street, New York, NY 10001-3202.

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Ralph T. Grieco, 100, of Palisades, NY, formerly of Orangeburg, NY, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2020. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 61 years, Anne, and his daughter Susan. He was survived by his devoted son Anthony Grieco of Palisades; his adoring daughter Bernadette, her husband Jerry Kuperberg and their son Michael James of Orangeburg. Also, his sister Rose Cassara of Staten Island, 99 years young.

Before retiring, Ralph was a foreman for ConEd in NY, NY for many years. Later, he loved spending time at home with his family and their beloved dogs, gardening and barbequing; and later traveling the world with Anne. Ralph was an active parishioner at Saint Anthony’s RC church in Northvale.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale, NJ with interment to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY. Visiting hours are Sunday 5-7 PM and Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

Mass cards or donations to The Humane Society of The United States in lieu of flowers would fulfill Ralph’s wishes.

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Jac Perring Gnirrep, 84, of Richfield Springs, NY, formerly of Northvale, NJ passed away on February 3, 2020 after a lengthy battle with lung cancer. Jac grew up in Palisades Park, NJ. He received a bachelor’s degree in Business and Education from William Paterson Teacher’s College and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After teaching in the Palisades Park School System for a number of years, he became the assistant business administrator and then business administrator for the Teaneck School System, which he retired from in 1982. Since then he enjoyed a full and endlessly busy retirement, living in the house he himself built in Upstate NY, using his many talents to fix any and all things that were in need of repair, and becoming a proud member of the Richfield Springs community.

Jac was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara (nee Bade), his son Glenn, his parents and his brothers Tom and Bill. He is survived by his children Barbara (Mark), Jac Jr. (Patty), Gary (Sandy) and Judy (Vince). He is also survived by grandchildren Jessica (John), Kristen (Matt), Mary (Jeff), Joseph, Jac III, Amanda, Kim and Elliot, as well as 8 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his dear friends Tim and Karena Proctor, the extended Proctor Family, and his beloved beagle, Shiloh.

The family would also like to thank the supportive staff at Basset Hospital.

Visitation will be held on Sunday 12 – 3 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale with a funeral service to be held at 3 PM. Interment will be private.

Donations in his name may be made to the ASPCA.

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Wanda A. Worner (nee Buckman), 65, of Dumont, formerly of Paramus, departed this life on Sunday, February 2, 2020. Wanda was the devoted mother of Joan Ali Diore and her husband Joseph of Dumont and Arlene Marie Gray and her husband Joseph of Dumont. Cherished “Mima” of Victoria, Caitlyn, Joey, Jason and Marik. Dearest sister of Patricia MacAloon, Irene Kearns, Bruce Buckman, Janet Berger and Steven MacAloon. Wanda was predeceased by her parents, Howard and Alice Buckman and her brother, Howard “Dennis” Buckman.

Wanda became the Borough Clerk for the Borough of Northvale since 1992 after serving as Borough Clerk in River Edge from 1990-1992. She was well-respected by her colleagues and was a long time Member of the Bergen County Municipal Clerks Association, of which she was a Past President. She also was a long time Member in good standing of the Municipal Clerk’s Association of NJ. During her tenure, Wanda trained many Deputy Clerks and encouraged their journey to receiving their Registered Municipal Clerk Certification from the State, with several moving on to full Municipal Clerk positions in local towns. She also assisted the Township of River Vale for a period they were without a clerk and helped guide their Deputy, who is currently the Township Clerk. Wanda came up with the “paperless environment” for Council meetings in the early 2000’s and has since lent her guidance to many other municipalities wishing to leave a gentler carbon footprint. Wanda will be forever missed for her easy-going nature, eagerness to help anyone in need, her great sense of humor and her good advice. She will always be loved and cherished dearly by her children and grandchildren, in addition to many friends and family.

Visitation will be Friday, February 7, 2020 form 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Wanda’s name to your local pet shelter or rescue center, continuing her love of fur babies.

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Gregor Pobor of River Vale, NJ, passed away on January 29, 2020 at age 60.

As an emergency room physician he touched many lives while always being kind and calm.

Gregor was born in Rijeka, Croatia (former Yugoslavia). His family left Yugoslavia when he was eleven years old. They moved to Boden, Sweden. His father Grgur Pobor was a ENT doctor and his mother Vlasta Sindik was a family doctor. In 1986 he earned an MD from the Karolinska Institute Faculty of Medicine where he graduated with honors. He also had a Ph.D. in molecular biology from Umeå University. From 1986 to 1989 he was a postdoctoral fellow at the MIT Center for Cancer Research, where he worked with a Nobel Prize laureate.

In 1987 he met the love of his life, his future wife, Carmen Teresa Villarreal at MIT. Teresa, originally from Mexico, was a graduate student at the Space Systems Lab. at MIT. Gregor and Teresa were married in June 1988 in Harvard, Massachusetts, where they left their wedding ceremony in a hot air balloon.

Gregor did his medical internship at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA and his medical residency in internal medicine at Cabrini Medical Center in New York City. He worked as an emergency room attending physician at Cabrini Medical Center (New York City), St. Clare´s Hospital (New York City), St. John´s Hospital (Far Rockaway, NY), Franklin Hospital (Valley Stream, NY), and Vassar Brothers Medical Center (Poughkeepsie, NY). But the position he held the longest and loved the most was at New York Presbyterian/Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville New York; he worked there from1996 to 2020.

Gregor lived a very international life. He was fluent in Croatian, Swedish, English, Spanish, and German. Gregor and Teresa traveled widely and wherever they went, Gregor always had his camera on hand.

In the U.S.,Gregor is survived by Teresa, his wife of 31 years, Carmen, his mother in law, many friends, and his dog Chica, whom he adored, as he did all his doggies. He leaves many dear friends and relatives in Croatia, Italy, Mexico, and Sweden.

A memorial mass has been postponed and will be held at a later date.

Following his wishes, Gregor is to be cremated and then buried in his hometown of Vrbnik in Croatia. The burial will be on Saturday April 4, 2020. Remarkably, Gregor and Teresa met on Saturday, April 4, 1987, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. So the circle of love of 33 years will be complete.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to St. Pius X Church. 268 Old Tappan Rd, Old Tappan, NJ 07675. The church’s phone number is (201) 664-0913. And their website is https://stpiusxoldtappan.org

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Harry Harrison, “The Morning Mayor” and  Radio Hall of Famer, of Norwood, NJ passed away on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 (amazingly at 1:01 PM) at the age of 89. He was born in 1930 at home on the south side of Chicago. As a teenager Harry attended a seminary and intended to be a priest. But his senior year he was bed ridden with Rheumatic Fever for a year. His saving grace was his radio, he knew then that he wanted to become a Disc Jockey. He left the seminary and began his career which spanned six decades. In 1961 he married the love of his life, Patricia, whom he affectionately called “Pretty Patti”. Together they made a home in Norwood where they raised their four children, Patti, Patrick, Michael and Brian Joseph “BJ”. He was tragically predeceased by his wife Patti and sons, BJ and Michael with whom he is now with in heaven. He was a devoted husband and father and would go home after his stint on the radio to be with his family.

Although Harry was a part of radio history, having worked at WMCA, WABC, and WCBS FM, and was known as one of the “Original Good Guys”, he was also a very humble and charitable person, often donating his time to support local police, fire and emergency services as well as Spectrum for Living and the American Cancer Society.  

Visitation will be Monday, February 3, 2020 from 3-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 11 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

Harry loved animals, in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to your local animal rescue society  or to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation.

“Every brand new day should be unwrapped like a precious gift.” – Harry Harrison

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Edward F. Purtill, 56, formerly of Northvale, peacefully passed away with his cherished husband Keshav Pradhan by his side at his home in West Milford NJ on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Edward (Eddie) was born in Hoboken on Feb 3, 1963 the first son after 6 daughters to the late Frances (nee Behr) and Edward J Purtill, and was raise in both Teaneck and Northvale NJ.  He graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, NJ in 1982 and went on to serve in the Navy from 1982 – 1987.   He worked for Spectra Labs in Rockliegh NJ for many years where he considered his co-workers as his extended family.

Eddie is survived by 6 sisters Susan Stafford (and Jay) of San Francisco CA, Karen Nies (and Kenneth) of Hamburg NJ, Jamie Caputo (and Gerard Roundtree) of Blooming Grove NY, Marion Carlisi (and Raymond) of Delran NJ, Alison Mersincavage of Sugar Loaf NY, Cathy Purtill of Elmwood Park NJ.  He is pre deceased by his brother Joseph Purtill and sister Beth Ann Purtill.  He was the proud Uncle to Jesse, Rocco, Kenneth (KJ), Adam, Sergio, Mark, Erika, Gabriella (Brie), Anthony, Joseph and Raymond.  He enjoyed watching the family grow as Great nieces and nephews came along.

Visiting hours will be Friday 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050).

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Ralph S. Passante, Sr.
April 3, 1942—January 27, 2020

Ralph S. Passante, Sr., of Old Tappan, NJ, passed away in the early hours of Monday, January 27, 2020, after a brief illness.  He was loved and respected by all who met him, and he made the world a better place with his presence in it.  

Dad was born in Weehawken, NJ, on April 3, 1942, to the late Martha (née Marino) and Ralph F. Passante, and was raised in North Bergen, NJ.  As the youngest son of a proudly Italian family, he early on developed the meticulous cooking skills and sophisticated palate for which, years later, he would be renowned among his friends.  

Basketball was his passion.  He was an All-State player at Memorial High School in West New York, NJ, and continued to excel at St. John’s University in Jamaica, Long Island.  He coached at Holy Trinity School in Fort Lee, NJ, St. Cecelia High School in Englewood, NJ, and Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan, NJ, as well as multiple travel leagues.  He was never happier than when enthusiastically cheering on his players or his grandchildren at a game.  

Dad owned and operated Royal Printing Service in West New York, the company founded by his father in 1932, for 57 years, proudly building on the family legacy with his sons (and my brothers), David and Kevin.  His reputation was unmatched for integrity, honesty, and character, and many of his business associates also cherished him as a friend.  

He enjoyed traveling the world with my mother, as well as entertaining at home with great food and company—no one ever refused one of his invitations.  When he wanted to relax, he loved nothing more than going fishing on his boat, and he found joy in nature: feeding and watching the birds in the backyard, or growing fresh vegetables and herbs in his garden.  

Dad’s generosity was legendary, as was his compassion, especially for those less fortunate than himself, and he selflessly supported his community with his time, money, and talents.  No one ever had a better or more loyal friend, and my parents’ marriage was the best role model anyone ever saw.  

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years (and partner of 61), Lucia (née Witt); his sons, Ralph, Jr., of Old Tappan, David (and Madelyn), of Harrington Park, and Kevin (and Allison), of Norwood; his grandchildren, Nicole, Nicholas, Christopher, Julia, and Alexander; his sister, Betty Stevens, of North Bergen, and numerous other relatives and friends.  

Theodore Hesburgh said, “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother,” and by that measure—and innumerable others—there has never been a better husband, father, and human being than my Dad.  He was as fine a human being and as exemplary a member of the community as has ever lived.  We love you, Dad, and will miss you always.  ️

Visitation:
Saturday, February 1, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Vainieri Funeral Home
5923 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
North Bergen, NJ 07047

Sunday, February 2, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Pizzi Funeral Home
120 Paris Ave.
Northvale, NJ 07647

Funeral:
Monday, February 3, 10:00 a.m.
St. Pius X Church
268 Old Tappan Rd.
Old Tappan, NJ 07675

Interment immediately following:
George Washington Memorial Park
234 Paramus Rd.
Paramus, NJ 07652

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to one of the following worthy organizations, which have great personal meaning to us:

New York City Gay Men’s Chorus
561 Seventh Ave., Suite 701
New York, NY 10018
https://www.nycgmc.org

CASA for Children of Bergen County
One Bergen County Plaza, Suite 334
Hackensack, NJ 07601
www.bergencasa.org
”Donate Now”
(Select-“I would like to dedicate this donation”)

The V Foundation for Cancer Research
14600 Weston Parkway
Cary, NC 27513
https://www.v.org/home

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