Giuseppe “Joe” Gristina, age 96, of Tappan, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 1, 2022. He was born December 24, 1925 in Sciara, Italy where he met and married his beloved wife of 70 years Maria “Mary” nee LoBello. Giuseppe was the first of the three children of Rosario and Filippa Gristina. After their wedding, Giuseppe and Maria moved to New York where they started their family and life together. 

Giuseppe was wonderfully devoted to his two children the late Rosario (Russ) Gristina and his wife Josephine, and his daughter Phyllis Battaglia and her late husband Ignazio (Sal). 

Giuseppe was a loving Grandfather to Michael and his wife Karolina, Maria Villani and her husband Michael, Danielle Ferraioli and her husband James, and grandson Joseph Gristina. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Julianna, Luca, Margaux, Leo, and Charles Salvatore.

The family expresses appreciation to all who comforted and cared for “Joe” in his last years. Thank you to Giuseppe’s loving brother Dominick Gristina and his wife Josephine, his sister-in-law Josephine Woodley and her husband James, and his brother-in-law Piero Scatena. He is also predeceased by his beloved sister Anna Gristina. 

Giuseppe was a parishioner of St. Catharine’s RC Church in Blauvelt, New York. He was a devout Roman Catholic who cherished family get-togethers. He enjoyed gardening, his wife’s cooking, watching his Italian shows, and WWE.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 6 at Pizzi Funeral Home from 8:00 am to 9:30 am in Northvale, NJ, followed by a 10:00am mass at St. Anthony’s in Nanuet, NY with entombment to follow at St Anthony’s Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.

Paula Marie Slagle entered eternal life on March 28, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. Paula was born May 26, 1953 in Paterson New Jersey to John Francis Krausche and Gladys Rose Krausche. On October 6, 1974 she married the love of her life, Vernon Lee Slagle Jr. Paula spent over a decade working in corporate America after which she decided to change careers and became a Special Education teacher until her retirement. Paula earned her MBA and a Masters in Teaching as well as becoming a Certified Orton Gillingham instructor.

Paula was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Donna Senegeto, and nephew, Sean Martin. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Vernon; their two daughters Leigh Anne Slagle- Leeds (Dylan), and Kristen Marie Slagle and her fiancée Rebecca Garner; her sister Karen Martin (Jack), and many nieces and nephews.

We especially want to acknowledge the extraordinary warm friendship of Maureen Ronan, Mary Tasman, and Anna Froeder, who meant so much to Paula.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, March 30, 2022 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, New Jersey. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, March 31, 2022 at 10 AM at the Church of the Presentation, 271 W. Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, New York.

In lieu of flowers, please direct donations in Paula’s memory to The Mustard Seed School 422 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030 or Children’s Dyslexia Center, 404 Tenafly Road, Tenafly, New Jersey 07670.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Fiore “Fred” Osso, 75, of Closter, NJ, passed away on Saturday, March 19, 2022 with his family at his side. He is survived by his father Rizziero Osso of Cliffside Park, wife Linda Osso of Closter, sons Anthony and his wife Rebecca of Northvale, David of Closter. He is also survived by his pride and joy, his grandchildren, Scarlett, Violet and Elliot. His siblings, Charlie, Antonietta (Franco), John (Nancy), Dorina (Mario), Elsa, Clemente (Ivette) and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his mother Giovanna Osso and sister-in-law Nina Osso. 

Fred was the co-owner of Rudy’s Ristorante & Pizzeria in Closter. A man of many talents, Fred was a skilled carpenter, had a black belt in karate, was a master scuba diver, loved to travel and cook. He will be remembered for his generosity, his larger than life personality and his great sense of humor.

Per his wishes, the services will be private. The family will be accepting visitors who wish to extend condolences at Rudy’s in Closter on Monday, March 28th, 2022 between the hours of 1pm-5pm.

Those who wish to make a donation in Fred’s memory can do so to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

Diana M. Castellano, 77, of Pomona, NY, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. She was the beloved mother of Jaime Nicole Havrilla and her husband Eric of Monroe, NY. Proud and loving nana of William John and Vincent James. Dearest sister of the late James Castellano, Noreen Motta and Barbara Castellano.

Diana worked for the International Longshoreman’s Association for over 58 years, a job she loved and was dedicated to. A beautiful woman inside and out, she won various beauty pageants and was runner up in the 1965 Miss New Jersey competition. She was also a devoted mother and nana, her family was her life. She will be dearly missed.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, March 22, 2022 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Nanuet, NY with interment to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet.

Those who wish may make a donation in Diana’s memory to the Hi-Tor Animal Care Center, www.hitor.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Theresa A. Governale (nee Amorosso), 92, of Northvale, passed away at home surrounded by the love of her family on Friday, March 11, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Edward. Loving mother of Katherine Diore and husband Joseph and Marie Menti and husband Peter. Cherished grandmother of Lauren Radley and husband Jon, Kristian Diore. Dearest sister of Samuel Amorosso and wife Joan and Charles and sister-in-law of Frank Rampolla. Predeceased by brothers and sisters-in-law, Elaine Amoroso, Palma and Val Andico, Laura and Stanley Molinaro, Joseph and Lucille Amorosso, Rocco and Barbara Amorosso, Cecelia Rampolla and Dominic and Arlene Amorosso and her loving in-laws in the Governale family. She is also survived by countless nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Theresa was a bookkeeper for A&P in Englewood and then ShopRite in Dumont where she worked for many years. She retired from ShopRite to care for her granddaughters, of whom she was so proud. She will be remembered for her beautiful sequin applique Christmas stockings that she gifted to family and many friends and will be dearly missed.

Visiting hours are Monday 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Frances M. Saunier (nee Dominkowitz), 96, of Northvale, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. She was the beloved wife of the late Jean Saunier. Loving mother of John and Joseph, both of Northvale. Cherished grandmother of Presly. Dearest sister of Joseph, Frank and John.

Frances was a kind, gentle and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be dearly missed.

Visiting hours are Friday 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Vincent Marc Nucera, 18, of Northvale, formerly of Closter, passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Vincent is survived by his loving parents,Donna Nucera of Closter and Frank Nucera and his wife Lisa of Northvale.  Cherished grandson of Donna Nucera and her late husband Marc and Edward and Diane Wrocenski. Loving brother of Skylar, Nicholas, Brooke and Ava and step-sisters, Madison and Riley. Dear nephew of Peter Wrocenski, Mary Beth DeCarlo and her husband Kevin and the late Andrew Wrocenski. Beloved cousin of Aiden, Ashley, Adrianna, Joey and Gina Marie.

Vincent made an impression on everyone who knew him.  When he smiled it lit up a room. He was loving and kind and especially patient with his siblings.  Many people may not know he was a fantastic chef – when he was cooking it could be felt throughout the house (often with the mess to follow).  He had a passion for art and music.  His music fueled his soul.  In his short life he touched so many and will be sorely missed.   

Visiting hours are Tuesday, March 8, 2022 from 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be held Wednesday, March 9, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, Closter with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Antoinette P. (Bella) Yammarino (nee Calcagno), 99, of Closter, NJ, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022. She grew up in Brooklyn where she met her late husband, Bruno. After marriage in 1957, they moved to Closter to start a family. Beloved mother of Laura Haney and her husband Paul of Lewes, DE and Joseph Yammarino and his wife Paola of Closter. Cherished grandmother of Jacqueline (Zachary), Michelle, Danielle, Stephanie, Joseph Bruno, Jared and Jonathan. Dearest sister of the late Mary Lero and Eleanor Brennessel.

Antoinette was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. And she was “Auntie Bella” to many, many others.  She loved cooking, volunteering and doing crafts, but most of all she cherished time spent with family.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 3, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, Closter with entombment to follow at St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to:

Alpine Learning Group, an organization that is an important part of Antoinette’s grandchildren’s lives (AlpineLearningGroup.org),

Catholic Charities Older Adult Services, an organization that provided support to Antoinette in recent years (ccannj.com/care_older_adults.php),

Closter Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Corps (cvarcnj.org),

Or any charity that is important to you.

……

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Sara Brismat Gonzalez age 82, of Washington Heights, NY, passed away at home surrounded by her family on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Beloved wife of Guillermo. Cherished mother of Alina Venezia and her late husband John Joseph of Yorktown Heights, NY and Mayte Pacione and her husband Anthony of Old Tappan, NJ. Proud grandmother of John William, Stephanie, Gabriel and Sienna.

Sara was born in Candelaria, Pinar del Rio, Cuba, where she met and married her husband of 61 years, Guillermo. They came to the United States in 1965 and moved to Washington Heights where they raised their family. Together, Sara and her husband owned and operated World Trade Academy Press Publishing Company for many years before retiring. She was an avid reader, writer, enjoyed photography, and walking the streets of New York City. Sara’s grandchildren and her family were her life. She would do anything for them. Sara touched many lives with her kindness and compassion for others. We will miss her and always keep her in our hearts.

Visiting hours are Thursday 4-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at St. Pius X RC Church, Old Tappan with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Township, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sara’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org  or Memorial Sloan Kettering, www.msk.org.

www.pizzifuneral home.com

April 17, 1931 – February 7, 2022

Charlotte (“Wadz”, “Lottie”) Irene Lukaszewski (Sudol), 90, formerly from Clinton Township, Michigan, passed away on Monday February 7, 2022 in Ridgewood, New Jersey.

Charlotte was born and raised in Hamtramck, Michigan the youngest of five children of Katherine (Golabek) and Andrew Sudol.  She attended Queen of Apostles School and St. Florian High School.  In between raising a family, Charlotte volunteered at Bon Secours Hospital, worked at Detroit Plastic Molding Co and later as a home health aide.    Charlotte was very proud of her Detroit roots and Polish heritage.  She found great joy in maintaining connections with family and friends by organizing pot-luck dinners, monthly luncheons and a 50^th reunion with her Q of A classmates.   

Charlotte is survived by her children Lynne (and her husband Vytas) Verselis of Harrington Park, NJ, Timothy Lukaszewski, of Hudson, FL, four grandchildren (Nathan, Jeanette, Lenny and Emily) and three great-grandchildren (Brandi, Nora and Lilly).   She is predeceased by her parents and siblings, Genevieve Pawlicki, Helen Latka, Lillian Ferra and Richard Sudol.

A mass celebrating Charlotte’s life and faith will held on a later date at St. Hubert’s Parish; interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Detroit.

Memorial Contributions can be made to the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology DIO – Friends of Vision Fund (https://www.henryford.com/development/make-a-gift)

or

The Capuchin Ministries (www.solanuscenter.org/ways-to-help/donations)