Jennifer Gabriella Howard of Rockland County, NY passed away at home after a brief illness on Friday, September 6, 2024.  Jennifer was born and raised in Rockland and attended Tappan Zee High School.   She graduated from Dominican College and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing and received her master’s degree from Long Island University in Hospital Administration.  She was currently employed at Stamford Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut as a Case Manager and throughout her career worked at Nyack Hospital and Dobbs Ferry Hospital NY and US Healthcare.   She was very accomplished in her field and always set the highest standards for herself and those in her care.

Jennifer valued her family and friends so deeply and her friendships go back to kindergarten.   She was a very loyal friend to all who knew her.  She will be dearly missed by her beloved sister Judieann Howard Pereira and Brother-In-Law Mark J. Pereira.  She was the very proud Aunt of beloved niece, Lindsay Pereira Guthier (Justin) and their children, Declan, Niall, Maeve and Rosaleen;  beloved nephews Travis A. Pereira, James D. Howard and Cory R. Howard and his daughter Madison, and sister-in-law Leslie Howard. She is predeceased by her parents Aaron A. Howard and Elena F. Howard; her brother Andrew J. Howard and sister Elena M. Howard. She adored spending time with her cousins and friends.

The family will receive her friends and family  on Friday, September 20, 2024 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ 07647.  A memorial service will follow at 12:30 PM.    A private burial has been planned. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Susan G. Komen Foundation, www.komen.org or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org in Jennifer’s memory.

Michael Ramirez, 70, of Dumont, passed away peacefully in his sleep on September 11, 2024. A New York sanitation worker from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, Michael led an adventurous life between New York and Puerto Rico. He had a deep love for the Knicks, the Giants, and his scratch-off tickets.

He is survived by his daughter, Regina Ramirez of Florida, and three grandchildren: Jessenia, Avery, and Michael. He also leaves behind his sister Janet Hernandez and her husband Ronald of Dumont, sister Elizabeth Colon of Florida and her husband Raymond, and sister Elsie Lugo of Dumont, along with many nieces and nephews.

Michael fought a long and courageous battle until his body could no longer fight, and he is now resting peacefully.

A wake will be held at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ on Sunday, September 15, from 12 PM to 2 PM.

Daniel J. Albanese, 69, of Park Ridge, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Theresa (nee D’Urso) and his mother, Mary Albanese. He was the devoted father of Danielle Albanese and Michael Albanese and wife Lauren. Proud grandfather of Sofia. Cherished son of Donald Albanese and his wife Joan. Dear brother of Sandra Gibbs and her husband Fred and brother-in-law of Joanne and Doug Gove and Joseph and Lisa D’Urso.  Loving uncle of Nicole, Steven, Joseph, Guthrie and Remi.

Dan was a business consultant in many fields for many years before retiring. He was a huge fan of the NY Yankees and Elvis Presley. Dan played the bass guitar and was a song writer. He was one of the founders of the Stone Caravan Band. His favorite moments were sitting with his family and friends with a good cup of coffee that he brewed perfectly, sharing a story and laugh.

Visiting hours are Friday, September 13, 2024 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 10:30 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dan’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Robert A. DiBrino, 81, of Little Ferry, New Jersey, passed away on Monday, September 9, 2024 surrounded by his loving family. He was born August 22, 1943 in The Bronx.

Bob was an avid fan of the New York Yankees and the Las Vegas “Oakland” Raiders. On game days, he could be found with his radio to his ear, listening intently to the score. He enjoyed playing the drums, paddleball and a good debate. Bob was a true patriot, with much love and allegiance for the United States.

He retired after 35 years with the New York Telephone Company as a Telephone Installer. He was proud to be part of the team that installed the telecommunications when President Reagan would come to New York.

Bob is predeceased by his wife Mary, parents Antonio and Louise and brother Ralph. He is survived by his three children, Tina Braca (Greg Braca), Susan DiBrino (Kelly Ryan), and Robert DiBrino, Jr. (Margie Gamble); as well six grandchildren, Kayla (Denis Herlihy), Marisa, Jenna, Anthony, Darien and Mason and three great-grandchildren, Emmy, Audrey and Gregory, as well as his former wife, Jenny Chiapparino.

The family will gather at St. Francis of Assisi RC Church, 128 Parrott Rd, West Nyack, NY on Friday, Septmeber 13, 2024 at 9:30 AM. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 AM. Interment will follow at Maple Grove Park Cemetery, Hackensack, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Birgit Marjorie Ibanez Rojas, 41, passed away Friday, August 30^th, 2024.  Beloved wife of Brian Galperin.  Loving mother of Shayna Galperin.  Adored daughter of Eloy Ibanez and Maria Rosario Rojas.  Dear sister of Javier and Sebastian Ibanez.  Cherished niece of Jose Luis, Victor, Silvia, Richard, and Jenny.  She is also survived by many cousins and other relatives.  She enjoyed sports, singing and dancing.  Her favorite place was the beach and loved the ocean.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, September 10, 2024 from 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. 

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

“May the wind always be at your back and the sun upon your face. And may the wings of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.”

Alexander Samuel Galperin – age 29, Ramsey, NJ passed away Saturday, August 31^st, 2024. Beloved and cherished son of Andrea Luberto-Galperin and the Late. Bruce Galperin. Loving brother of Max, fiancé Elaura, Ryan and partner Jaylin. Alex is also survived by loving aunts, Susan Galperin, Amy Christiana, Joann Luberto – Geisel, Jacole Galperin, Brenda Luberto, Debbie Galperin, Aunt Joan Luberto, loving uncles, Robert Luberto, Marc Galperin, Russ Christiana, Fred Luberto, and Allan Geisel and grandmother Debbie Galperin, many loving cousins, relatives and dearest friends. Alex worked as an administrative assistant at Hy’s Appliance in Suffern, NY. He will forever be remembered for his smart wit, great sense of humor and infectious laughter. He loved the outdoors, cultivation, hiking, especially his 63 Nova and his beloved dog Zeke.

ARRANGEMENTS

Wake:

Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ.

Wednesday, September 4th, 2024 from 6-8 pm

Funeral Service: 

Gathering at 10 am Thursday at Pizzi Funeral home, followed by a graveside service at 11 am at Cedar Park Cemetery, Paramus, NJ.

Michael P. Martino, 84, of Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 30, 2024. He was the beloved husband of Adriana (née Pesce) and a loving father to Michael John Martino, Victoria Alessandra Martino, Maria Sandford, and her husband Scott, Anthony Martino, and his wife Marcy. He was a devoted brother to Mary Adamo and Lucy Calabrese. He was also a proud grandfather to Joseph, John, Christopher, and Nicholas and a cherished uncle to Maria and Dina. Michael was a cherished cousin to his family in Toronto, Canada. Michael is deeply missed by his beloved dogs, Prince and Niccolò.

Born in Guardiaregia, Italy, Michael emigrated to America with his loving parents, Liberantonio and Mariasunta (née Sampogna), in 1945. Once in America, Michael pursued his lifelong passion for entrepreneurship in various fields within the food industry. He established his career at Paul Sayres Co. and eventually founded Amici Consultants LLC, where he worked for nearly twenty years before retiring. Michael will be dearly missed by his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Visiting hours are Friday, September 6, 2024, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, New Jersey.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 10:00 AM at The Church of the Presentation, 271 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Interment will follow at Maryrest Cemetery, 770 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah, New Jersey.

William G. Hanford, 77, of Hillsdale, NJ, formerly of Cliffside Park, NJ, passed away on Monday, August 26, 2024. Beloved husband of Diane (nee Cavanagh). Loving father of Alicia Hanford and Andrea Costanza and her husband Christopher. Proud grandfather of Stefanee, Hunter, Michelle, Christopher, Mason, Tristan, Caiden and Gavin. Adored great-grandfather of Ethen, Xavier, Srini, Cole, KJ and Luke. Dearest brother of Marbeth Auletto and Dorene Migulelez and husband Michael.

Bill was a US Marine Corps Veteran of the Vietnam War and was a recipient of the Purple Heart Award. A technical engineer, he worked for Lucent Technologies which became Avaya before starting his own business before retirement. Bill was a member of the VFW Post 8842 in Cliffside Park where he was a two-time Past Commander. He was also a Special Police Officer for the Cliffside Park PD. Bill loved his family, especially his grandchildren, enjoyed the outdoors and golfing as well as supporting his favorite teams, the NY Yankees and the NY Giants. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Visiting hours are Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 3-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s memory may be made to Memorial Sloan Kettering, www.msk.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Irma Ursula Schmuck, nee Dreger, passed away on Monday, August 19th, after a lengthy illness, at age 96.

Beloved wife, mother of two, friend of many, Irma’s life spanned continents, and nearly a century. Born on June 22, 1928, in the free state of Danzig, now Gdansk, Poland, Irma lived a happy life with her family. Under the threats of war they fled their home to relative safety in western Germany and then, resolved to seek a new life in New York following the end of the war.

She met her husband Edward Schmuck at work on Wall Street. They married in 1954 and moved to Northvale, New Jersey in 1957.

Irma, a homemaker, with her beautiful bright blue eyes, created a warm, loving and supportive environment for her family, extended family, neighbors and friends. She maintained a beautiful home and filled it with love.  One of her biggest joys was having the whole extended family for meals, especially for holidays.  She found happiness in making others happy and no place did that show more than around her table. No one walked away hungry; rather, after having seconds, thirds plus her homemade desserts, they walked away too full! The family holiday photos show Irma with a big smile, reflecting the joy she received from serving her family.  

Perhaps her biggest joy came when she became an Omi.  She considered it a blessing to be able to help care for her grandchildren whenever she could.

After the busy years of raising her family, her service extended to her friends and community. She was an active member of the women’s group, the quilting group and the soup kitchen staff of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where she was appreciated in fellowship for her good cheer, kindness, and, of course, her delicious baking. She also became the friend who “could still drive”, helping many to run errands, get to church and various appointments.

She is survived by her sons, Ed (Alexandra) Curtis of Harrington Park, NJ, and Ron (Lisa) Curtis of Dunwoody, Georgia; her five grandchildren, Peter (Catherine), Jessica, Misty, Emma, and Max; and one greatgrandchild, Cora. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ed, her parents, Emma and Reinhold Dreger, and treasured siblings Kurt, Christel and Ida.

Funeral arrangements are through the Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale. A funeral service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Closter, NJ on Thursday, August 29^th at 11 am with a graveside service immediately following at Rockland Cemetery in Sparkhill, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the American Red Cross or Emory Integrated Memory Care in Atlanta, GA.

Gail D. Kovacs-Felici, 72, of Emerson, NJ, passed away on Monday, August 19, 2024. Beloved wife of Kevin A. Felici. Cherished sister of Michael Kovacs and Barbara Phillips and her husband Kenneth. Loving step-mother of Kevin Felici, Jr. and his wife Brandy and John Felici and his wife Kim and step-grandmother of Joshua, Katlynn, Harli and Jordyn. She is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends.

Gail graduated with a Master’s Degree in Accounting Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She most recently had been working at Lakota Summer Camp in Wurtsboro, NY. 

Gail loved to give back to her community and was an active member of the NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs, where she was past treasurer. She was a Registered Parliamentarian, a 4-time descendent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, treasurer of the Emerson Senior Center, past president of the Emerson Women’s Club and was part of the Lead East Car Show for over 20 years. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Visiting hours are Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Gail’s memory to the NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs, www.njsfwc.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com