Helen Smith (nee Leibowitz), 89, of Harrington Park, passed away on Saturday, December 9, 2017. Beloved wife of the late George W. Smith. Loving mother of Susan Smith of Fredon Township, Peggy Kane of Emerson, Ellen Gendron and husband Gerard of Laguna Hills, CA, Tara Oakley and husband Thomas of Harrington Park, Barbara Matrafailo and husband Paul of Wilmington, NC, George Smith, Jr. and wife Nancy of Nazareth, PA, Ann-Marie Harnisch and husband Al of Old Tappan, Theresa McCormick and husband Mark of Emerson, William Smith and wife Dianne of Harrington Park and Raymond Smith and wife Meg of Norwood. Adored grandmother of 33 and great-grandmother of 17. Dear sister of the late Henry.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050).

Memorial donations to the Gateway Community Action Partnership Food Bank, 110 Cohansey St., Bridgeton, NJ 08302, www.gatewaycap.org would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

 

 

Mary Louise Strobel (nee DiFabio), 68, of Northvale, passed away on Thursday, December 7, 2017. Beloved mother of Lisa Howard and her husband Timothy of Dunellen, NJ. Adored Nana of Benjamin and Joseph. Cherished sister of John DiFabio and wife Jeanne of Harrington Park and Barbara Harm and husband Richard of Northvale. Dearest aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Mary Lou was a licensed practical nurse.  Throughout her career she cared for her patients with kindness, respect, and love. Her stories of working with the elderly will always be cherished and remembered. Most recently she worked at the Jewish Home in Rockleigh. Prior to that she had worked at The Buckingham in Norwood, the Paramus Veterans Home and Bergen Pines.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday 11 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050). Visiting hours are Monday 6-9 PM.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Vivienne Eleanor Knopp

June 22, 2010 – December 5, 2017

 

Precious daughter of Giulia DeSantis Knopp and John Knopp, loving sister to Nathanael Knopp, Domenico, Giancarlo, Vincenzo, and Giana DiRese. Granddaughter to Colleen and Edmond Frankel, John and Maretta Knopp, Vincenzo and Pauline DeSantis. Loved and adored by her aunts, uncles, cousins and cherished great-granddaughter to her beloved Mema.

 

Our dearest Vivienne, “Vivi Cakes”, “Lil’ Bit”, “Viv-erace”, oh how you blessed us with your big bright eyes, infectious laugh and ability to bring us such joy and happiness! Our love and thoughts of you will forever light up our lives as we look forward to being joined with you again in eternity with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, in the Kingdom of Heaven.

 

The family will receive friends at St. Anthony’s Church, 199 Walnut Street, Northvale, NJ on Sunday, Dec.10 between the hours of 2pm – 6pm. Funeral mass at St. Anthony’s Church on Monday, Dec. 11 at 10am with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.

 

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made at:

www.DIPG.org, www.StJude.org, or to the Vivienne Knopp Irrevocable Trust, PO Box 255, Northvale, NJ 07647.

www.pizzifuneralhome.org

 

 

Aspasia Gatanas (nee Gravanis), 64, of Maywood, passed away at home on Sunday, December 3, 2017. She was born in East Harlem and grew up in NYC. Aspasia raised her family in Westwood and Cresskill, NJ. Beloved wife of Nicholas. Loving mother of three sons, Dimitri and wife Sara of Demarest, Alexander of NYC and Achilles and wife Beth of Haworth. Adored grandmother of Pericles, Steven, Theodore and Zoe. Dearest sister of Emily Anton and the late Basil Gravanis.

Aspasia, together with her family, owned and operated Urban Garden Center in NYC for many years. She was well known and adored by customers and garden aficionados from all over the city. Over the years, she was an active member of her church and children’s schools. She was the most gracious hostess and opened her home to all.

A Funeral Service will be held Friday 10:30 AM at St. Athanasios G.O. Church, Paramus with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park. Visiting hours are Thursday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Basil Academy, 79 Saint Basil Road, Garrison, NY 10524, http://stbasil.goarch.org/donate/, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

 

Frank A. Malora, 89, of Norwood, formerly of Northvale passed away on Friday, December 1, 2017. Beloved husband of Marion (nee Hirn). Devoted father of Todd and wife Laurie of Philadelphia, PA, Gregg and wife Eileen of Blauvelt, NY, Glenn and wife Bonnie of Harrington Park and the late Scott. Dearest brother of Paul and wife Winnie and the late Mary. Adored grandfather of Douglas, Daniel, Kimberly, Maeve, Megan, Devon, Matthew and Aine. Cherished great-grandfather of Parker, Finn and their imminent newest cousin.

Frank was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean War and was a member of the Northvale VFW. He also belonged to the Northvale Senior Center and Golden Agers and was a Mason in the St. Cecile Lodge in NYC. Frank retired from the NY Times in Edison, NJ as a machinist.

A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday 10 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050) with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY. Visiting hours are Monday 2-4 & 7-9 PM.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

NORTHVALE, NJ- Elizabeth Pustina was born on September 29, 1965 in Diber, Macedonia to Bardhyl and Azemina Pustina.  She died Wednesday, November 29, 2017.  Elizabeth was a hair colorist and made many friends along her journey.  She was a proud Mother who lovingly cared for her family.  She is survived by her parents, Bardhyl and Azemina; her three siblings, Diane Pustina, Teuta Pustina Alajbegu, and Genci Pustina; her children Artesa Lleshi, Arbenora Lleshi, Kreshnik Lleshi, and Arjeta Lleshi.  Visitation from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm, Thursday, November 30, 2017 at the Pizzi Funeral Home, Paris Avenue, November 30, 2017. Funeral Service on December 1, 2017 at 10  am.  Burial at Maple Grove Cemetery in Kew Gardens, Queens, NY.

 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Diabetes Association in memory of Elizabeth Lleshi.

 

https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?df_id=18884&18884.donation=form1

 

 

Dorothy Claire Walker (nee Stiteler), 83, of Northvale, passed away suddenly on Monday, November 27, 2017.

Claire was the beloved wife of Robert F. Walker for more than 60 years, and she leaves a legacy of love and devotion to him, her family and friends.  She was the cherished mother of Karen Nolan of Fairport, NY, Wendy Mattner and husband Jeffrey of Martinsville, IN, Jeffrey Walker and wife Diane of Harrington Park and Jacqueline Walker of Park Ridge. She was also the adored grandmother of Melissa, Allyson, Kimberly, Claudia, Michele, Caitlin, Emily and Brian and great-grandmother of Brogan, Elliot, Kinlee, Adrienne, Sydney, Chloe, Judah and Asher. She was predeceased by her sisters Laurene Pierce and Betty Kuhn and her son-in-law, Richard Nolan.

Claire started her professional life as a teacher in Suffern, NY. After raising her children she worked at Optyl in Norwood and then the Langerman Eye Institute in Orangeburg, NY. She was a very active member of the Tappan Reformed Church in Tappan, NY for many years.

May Claire’s vibrant and joyful spirit, love for others and life itself, generosity, and sense of humor live on through all the lives that she touched.  She will be deeply missed by so many.

Visiting hours are Sunday 1-4 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Service will be held at 4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the Tappan Reformed Church in Tappan, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

 

Nicholas Camenares of Pearl River, aged 93, passed away on November 20, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 65 years June (nee Vespoli), children Karen Azcuy (husband Dennis) of Tappan and Kevin Camenares of Arlington, VA, and grandchildren Derek (wife Jessilyn), Evan and Victoria.  He also leaves behind two brothers, Peter and George.

Nicholas was a US Navy Veteran of WWII, serving in the Pacific theater. He was active in several veterans organizations, and was an Amateur Radio Operator (W2PAV) for many years. He was a lifelong member of the Masons (AGDS Lodge), and more recently, the Montebello Senior Center in Suffern. He was also a founding member of Saints Helen & Constantine Greek Orthodox Church in West Nyack.

Funeral services were held privately.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

 

John S. Gugger, 99, of Park Ridge, formerly of Northvale, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2017. He was predeceased by his wife Gloria (nee Dankert), cherished daughter Barbara DiStase and siblings, Marion, Earl, Robert and Betty Jane. John is survived by his grandchildren, Stephanie Beckedorff and husband Thomas Sr. and John DiStase and wife Sharon, great-grandchildren, Sydney, Thomas Jr., Max, Alexandra and Issabella, son-in-law, Raymond DiStase, and sister, Florence Torregrossa.

John was a WWII Veteran of US Army and served in the US, Iceland and the Philippines. A carpenter, he was a partner of John Richard Construction in Hillsdale for many years. He was a life member of the Park Ridge Elks and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters. In retirement he enjoyed his job at the Bergen County Golf Course in Rockleigh and playing golf with his many dear friends.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday 10 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY. Visitation is Sunday 1-4 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Fisher House Foundation for Military Families, www.fisherhouse.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

 

ALPHONSO H. YOUNG, SR., (86) peacefully passed away at 7pm, on Saturday, November 18, 2017.

 

Alphonso, better known by all as Pete was the youngest male child born to Fess and Flora (Taylor) Young on June 22, 1931, in Shelby, NC.

 

He grew up in a very large household, being one of 14 children where his father and all his brothers were master Craftsmen and Builders. Pete had a genius IQ and had the ability to construct almost anything. He served in the US Air Force and was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Force Base in Germany where he entertained the troops as a baseball and basketball player. At the end of his military service he moved to Englewood, NJ where he worked for a brief period with his brothers Floyd and Jimmy Young. He was employed shortly thereafter by Lowe Paper Company in Ridgefield, NJ where he worked as a Chemist and formulated color that went on paper products. He was instrumental in developing the yellow that went on the Kodak film packaging and the pink that went on Oil of Olay products. During his employment with Lowe Paper Company he was involved in an industrial accident in February 1955 where he lost both of his arms. During his rehabilitation at Kessler Institute in East Orange, NJ he met and subsequently married his next-door neighbor, Barbara Earl. They were married on January 7, 1956. Two children were born from this union…a son, Alphonso H. Young, Jr and a daughter, Adrienne R. Young. This marriage ended in October, 2002, and they have remained friends over the years since their divorce.

 

Over the last ten years Pete suffered from renal disease and valiantly went to dialysis three times a week. He ultimately lost his battle with Alzheimers and passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at The Bergen County Healthcare Center in Rockleigh, NJ.

 

Pete is survived by two sisters; Naomi Coates of Detroit, MI, Ruby Cline (Tal) of Shelby, NC, a beloved ex-wife Barbara Williams (George) of Warrenton, GA, a son Alphonso Young, Jr. (Carol) of Closter, NJ, a daughter Adrienne (Howard) of Ramsey, NJ. Eight grandchildren, Jason Allen (Angela), Dallas, TX, Alyson Specht (Gary), Wallkill, NY, Kimberly Respeto (Sean), Houston, TX, John Young, Closter, NJ, Andrew Allen (Jennifer), Washington, NJ, Nataly Young, Alex Young and Haley Young of Closter, NJ. Eleven great-children, Emma and Asher Allen of Dallas, TX, Gary Specht III and Deanna Specht of Wallkill, NY, Maya Respeto, Ava Respeto and Tyler Respeto of Houston, TX, Andrew John Young, Ringwood, NJ, Amelia Groschel of Bergenfield, NJ and Greyson and Kingston Allen of Washington, NJ and a myriad of nieces, nephews and friends.