Joseph Casella, 87, of Northvale, NJ, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Beloved husband of 52 years to the late Carmel (nee English). Cherished father of Carmel-Jean Schutte and husband Richard, Donna Polles, Stephanie Casella and Denise Boyle and husband Bill. Proud grandfather of Jennifer (Jason), Alexandria (Danny), Brittany (Dan), Christopher (Kaitlin), Zachary, Katie, Thomas (Kelly), Zoe, Joseph, Liam and Brendan. Adored great-grandfather of Tyler, Tristan, Tanner, Parker, Quinn, Carmel, Daniel, Maeve, Sean and Kevin. Dearest brother of the late Serafina Sore.

Joseph was a US Army Veteran. He retired from the Northvale DPW after 19 years of service. Prior to that he worked for Heat & Frost Insulators Local 12. Joe was an All-City shortstop at Columbus High School in the Bronx. He enjoyed the outdoors , hunting, and fishing but above all, his family was his life.

Visiting hours are Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 16, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.

Those who wish may make a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, in Joseph’s memory.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Richard B. Sposa “Rick”, 73, a lifelong resident of Norwood, NJ, passed away at his home on Thursday, January 12, 2023. Beloved husband of Alice M. (nee Falk). Loving father of Rick and wife Erica of Northvale. Proud grandfather of Giuliana and Katelyn. Dearest brother of Ronald and his wife Joan and the late Roger. Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Rick served his community for over 43 years on the Norwood Police Department rising to the rank of Lieutenant. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and enjoyed gardening, trains, classic cars and spending time at the cabin in Taberg, NY.

Visiting hours are Monday, January 16, 2023 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 11 AM at the funeral home.

Those who wish may make a donation in Rick’s memory to the charity of their choice.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Steven C. Vitale, 62, of Northvale, NJ, formerly of Norwood, NJ, passed away on Thursday, January 5, 2023. Beloved husband of Susan Rose Frederick-Vitale. Cherished son of Marjorie and the late Frank Vitale. Loving brother of Ellen Vitale and Frankie Vitale and his wife Catherine. Dear brother-in-law of Robert, Thomas, Debra and her son Matthew and the late James. Also survived by his beloved dog Tessa.

Steven was a project manager for Azzurro Media in Northvale for many years. An avid sports fan, he loved the NY Yankees, NY Jets, Michigan State and NASCAR and loved playing golf with friends. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours are Friday, January 13, 2023 from 3-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Steven’s memory may be made to Popcorn Park Animal Refuge, www.ahscares.org.

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Joseph Cantatore, 85, of Norwood, NJ, passed away at home surrounded by the love of his family on Monday, January 2, 2023. He was born in Ruvo di Puglia, Italy, to the late Vincenza and Mauro Cantatore.  Beloved husband of 54 years of the late Addolorata “Ada”. Loving father of Vincenza Fitzmaurice and her husband Thomas of Orangeburg, NY, Maria Liggio and her husband Joseph of Suffern, NY and Mauro Cantatore and his wife Tara of Blauvelt, NY. Proud and loving grandfather of Joseph, Joseph Tyler, Julia, Leah, Bryan and Andrew. Cherished brother of Nicola and his wife Lena. Predeceased by brother Michael and sisters Teresa and Nunzia. Survived by in laws Paul Petrone, Vincent Soldano and his partner Maria, Joseph and Joann Soldano, Teresa Dell’Accio, Gino Soldano and Jan Soldano.

Joseph worked in the food industry for many years before retiring. He was a devoted family man above all. He also enjoyed gardening, cycling and soccer and was a member of soccer clubs in Norwood and Orangetown. He will be dearly missed.

Visiting hours are Thursday, January 5, 2023, from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 6, 2023, at 11 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Norwood with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, NJ.

Those who wish may donate in Joseph’s memory to their favorite charity.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com 

Pasquale Scarano, 90, of Emerson, NJ, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 21, 2022. Pasquale was born on June 23, 1932 in San Vito, Grumo Nevano, Italy to Giuseppe Scarano and Filomena (nee Chiacchio). He moved to New Jersey in 1962. Beloved husband and best friend of Jeanne Ann (nee Frassa). Cherished and proud father of Joseph Scarano and his husband William, Phyllis Kollar and her husband Chris, Kathy Owens and her husband Dustin, Ronald Peterson and his wife Christine and Gene Peterson. Loving grandfather of Morgan, Meaghan, Ashley, Christopher, Sabrina, Lauren, Shayla, and Ethan. Adored great-grandfather of Noel III, Gabriel, and Madeline. He is survived by his dearest brother Dominic, Maria Grazia, and Anna and was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister.

Patsy was a chef by trade and had worked at Jerry’s in Fort Lee and The Fireplace in Paramus. He had also operated New Roma Gardens in Teaneck for many years. For the past 20 years, he worked at America Oggi in Norwood until retiring at 85. Patsy was also a 4th Degree Knight at Our Lady of Victories Council of the Knights of Columbus.

He looked forward to his yearly trips with family, winemaking, and cooking for his family and friends. He was a kind and gentle person who loved everyone, with his doors open to family and friends preparing meals for all he welcomed. He touched many people’s lives and will be sorely missed. Until we meet again, we will forever keep you in our hearts.

Visiting hours are Sunday, January 8, 2023 from 2-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park on Monday, January 9, 2023 at 10 AM with interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly.
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Gail Maier, 69, of Harrington Park, NJ passed away on December 25, 2022. Gail was born on February 4, 1953 in Paterson, NJ to the late Marco Marino and late Elizabeth Clarken. She moved frequently during her childhood, but made lifelong friends in each place that she lived – a trait that would continue throughout her life. Gail graduated from Northeast High School in St Petersburg, Florida in 1971, and in her early twenties moved from Florida to her parents’ home in Hillsdale, NJ where she worked as a legal secretary. 

Soon after moving to New Jersey, Gail met her future sister-in-law, who introduced her to Edward Maier on a blind date. Gail and Ed married in 1982 in a backyard ceremony at their newly purchased home in Bergenfield, NJ. They welcomed their first daughter, Marissa Leigh Maier, on September 24, 1984 and their second daughter, Emily Rebecca Maier, on July 13, 1987. The Maier family moved to Harrington Park, NJ in 1992, where Gail would be an engaged and vivacious member of the community for the next thirty years. Gail poured all of her love and considerable energy into raising and educating her two daughters. Her family was her greatest source of pride. She highly valued education, and achieved her associate’s degree while raising her young family. Gail loved books and reading. She worked part time at the Harrington Park Public Library, and later accepted a full time job at the library in Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan. She returned to work part time at the Harrington Park Public Library following her retirement from Northern Valley. 

Gail and Ed welcomed two sons-in-law, Jonathan Walsh (who married Marissa in 2008) and Frank Arena (who married Emily in 2010) and four grandchildren, Levi (11), Paige (8), James (7), and Patrick (5). Gail’s children and grandchildren are her most beloved legacy and she affirmed her love for them with her words and her actions every day of her life. She was a unifying figure within her family and maintained close relationships with relatives living across the country. Her caring and empathy extended far beyond her family, evidenced by the many, many friendships that she cultivated and kept.

Gail was immensely active, and enjoyed hiking with her friends and her family. She loved to cook for her family and passed her love of cooking to both of her daughters. Gail was a magnetic, loving person who valued human connection and had many cherished friends. She will always be remembered as an adored wife, mother, and friend. 

Visiting hours are Thursday, December 29, 2022 from 3-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Room to Read.

https://www.roomtoread.org/literacy-girls-education/

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David Ference, 52, of Saddle Brook, NJ passed away unexpectedly on Friday, December 9, 2022.  He leaves behind his beloved wife Heather Rothschild, loving parents Joan and John Ference, his sister Lisa Hammond and her husband John, and his brother John Ference.  He was the cherished uncle of John and Jillian Hammond. 

David was an HVAC technician for Tri-Tech Energy in Boonton, NJ.  He grew up in Kearny, where he played baseball and loved skating on the frozen meadowlands in the winter.  He was a member of the Boy Scouts Troop 2 in Kearny.

David loved cooking for his family and friends with his barbecue smoker, making an endless supply of ribs and pulled pork among other things.  He was also proud of his garden, spending summer evenings watering and tending to his plants while watching the Yankees play, delivering his abundant tomatoes and basil to all. 

Funeral arrangements are being provided by Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale.  Services will be held on Saturday, December 17th and will be private.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

John F. Flahive, 82, of Harrington Park, NJ, passed away at home on Monday, December 19, 2022. Beloved husband of Marie (nee LoVecchio). Loving father of John Flahive and his wife Kerry also of Harrington Park. Proud grandfather of Margaret, Mary and Molly. Dear brother of James Flahive and wife Marietta. John was predeceased by his first wife Eileen and his precious son Thomas.

Before retiring, John was a pressman for the NY Times for many years. He was also a devoted parishioner of Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park.

Visiting hours are Thursday, December 22, 2022 from 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 23, 2022 at 9:30 AM at Our Lady of Victories with interment to follow at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Coram, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Planz, Josephine Marie, 93, of River Vale, N.J. formerly of Harrington Park, passed away on December 14, 2022 in Seminole, Florida.

 She was born in Bronx, New York on May 2, 1929 to Ambrose Rocco and Katherine (Spolnecke) Terp.  Josephine married Robert Charles Planz on November 7, 1948.

Beloved wife of the late Robert.  Devoted mother 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 grandmother of John Christopher and Robert Charles Cornell and Kevin Brian and Mathew Andrew McKeon.  Cherished great grandmother of Harper Rose and Anders Christopher Cornell and Madeleine Violette Cornell.

Beloved sister of Mary Catherine Jankowski and her husband Chet of Southfield, Michigan.  Cherished Aunt of Leigh Ann and the late Michael Chester Jankowski.

Jo worked at Equitable Life Assurance in N.Y.C. after graduating Southold High School in Southold, N.Y.  She worked there until her first child was born, and when she left Equitable they had to hire two people to take her place. 

After having her children, she became very involved with the School P.T.A., church functions, and working with disabled children. 

Jo was a volunteer at Pascack Valley Hospital gift shop, and received an award recognizing her time spent there.  She was an avid Bridge player, and also enjoyed:  water skiing, fishing, hunting, crafts, painting, and sculpting.

Jo, also loved to travel with Bob – China, Italy, Switzerland, Israel where they floated in the Dead Sea, and Southold!  One of their favorite Island’s was St. Maarten, where they vacationed annually with their children, grandchildren, and friends!  It was a wonderful family time, which will always be Remembered With Love!

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday – January 7^th, 2023 10:30 A.M.

at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale, N.J. with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, N.Y.  Viewing is the same day 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, N.J.

 www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Nevio “Joseph” Mattessich, 79, of North Palm Beach, FL, formerly of River Vale, NJ, passed away on Sunday, December 18, 2022. Beloved husband of Joann (nee Piccinich). Loving father of Marilyn Mattessich, Lucy Disney and her husband Carlo and Nevin Mattessich and his wife Valerie. Adored grandfather of Mariah, Julia, Nevin and Audrey. Dear brother of John Mattessich and Maryann Saric and her husband Mirko.

Nevio was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was an IT professional on Wall Street in NYC for many years. A devout Catholic, he was a parishioner of St. Pius X Church and a 4^th Degree Knight of the Immaculate Conception Knights of Columbus Council 9021.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, December 20, 2022 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be Wednesday, December 21, 2022 at 11 AM at St. Pius X Church, Old Tappan with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Township.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network, www.bcan.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com