Alice Theresa Gereghty passed on to God’s eternal love on Tuesday, April 8. She leaves behind her loving multi-generational family of nieces and nephews, as well as her lifelong best friend Karen Growney and family who love Alice as their own. Godmother to many, Alice will be remembered as the person who always acknowledged each person’s birthday and life markers. She made sure we all felt loved.

We are certain that Alice has been greeted in heaven by her loving parents, Sybilla and George Gereghty. It must be noted that she also has surely been welcomed by her cousins, Mike, Joe, and Gabe, who grew up with Alice and treated her like a little sister. From the stories she told, she was never responsible for the trouble they usually found themselves in.

Alice was an avid golfer until a bad back halted her participation in, but not her love for, the game. She enjoyed sports and reveled in betting with her friends and family on both college football and NFL games.

Born in Jersey City on September 26, 1938, Alice grew up in Hillsdale, New Jersey, where she resided her entire life. She taught kindergarten in town at the George White School, thus inspiring the call to service for many children who became our community’s civic leaders. Alice was the long-reigning Snow Queen of the school because of her uncanny ability to anticipate when snowfall would deter safe travel—or when the show must go on. Such an honor could only be eclipsed by her devotion to the art and skill of teaching, including her achievement well after her retirement: when in her late seventies, Alice completed her doctorate in Early Childhood Education with Rutgers University.

A wake will be held at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ, 07647, on Tuesday, April 15, from 4pm to 7 pm. Mass will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 69 Valley Street, Hillsdale, NJ, 07642, on Wednesday, April 16, at 10 am, followed by burial at Westwood Cemetery.

Frank Ferraro, 78, of Northvale, NJ, passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025. Beloved husband of Regina (nee Boggiano). Loving father of Frank and his wife Jennifer and Craig and his wife Jennifer. Proud grandfather of Mia, Ella, Brett, Dylan and Mason. Dearest brother and brother-in-law of Elaine and Michael Presutti, Judy Colonna and James (deceased) and Jane Ferraro.

Frank owned and operated Ferraro Moving and Storage in Fairview, NJ, a family business for over 100 years. He was a Life Member of the Northvale Volunteer Fire Department and was a member of the Omega Club of Cliffside Park.

Visiting hours are Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 1-4 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A prayer service will be held at 4 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Donald F. MacKenzie, 95, of Tappan and Seneca, SC, passed away on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Beloved husband of the late Catherine (nee Cervone). Cherished father of Donald Jr. and wife Lorrie, John and wife Lorraine, Debra Monaco and husband Lloyd, Joyce MacKenzie, Karen Bell and husband Peter and Kathleen Jo Maloney and husband John. Adored grandfather of 19 and great-grandfather of 14. He was predeceased by six brothers and two sisters.

Donald was a US Army Veteran of the Korean War. He retired after many years in the family automotive dealership and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Donald was an avid reader and enjoyed history, gardening and woodworking.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, April 7, 2025 at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan with interment to follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne. Visiting hours are Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald’s memory may be made to Cottingham Hospice House, 390 Keowee School Rd., Seneca, SC 29672.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of our beloved wife and mother, Melissa Marks. She passed at home on April 3, 2025, at the age of 68, surrounded by family. We will remember her tremendous heart and caring for others, creativity, love of music, and passion for all things cooking.

Melissa was born on October 14, 1956 in New York City, to Bernard and Estelle Marks. When Melissa was a baby, their family emigrated to London, England, where she predominantly grew up. A child of the 1960’s, Melissa listened to artists from the “British Invasion” and Motown. Melissa loved to dance and sing, even if off-tune (which she acknowledged).

At the age of 19, Melissa returned to New York, where she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology to pursue a degree in textile design. Melissa then worked at The Cloth Company, selling fabrics to commercial businesses. Melissa later met her husband Harry, while living in the Morningside Heights neighborhood adjacent to Columbia University. After 7 years together, the two married and eventually their children, Natalie and Paris were born. 

While pregnant with her daughter, Melissa graduated from CUNY Hunter College, where she studied Anthropology. Her pursuit of learning would not end there. Even while juggling the care of two young kids and a household, Melissa put herself through night classes at the Institute for Culinary Education (formerly Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School). She diligently earned a culinary certification and honed her skills to become and wonderful cook and baker.

She is survived by her husband, Harry, and children, Natalie and Paris.

Melissa is predeceased by her father, Bernard Marks, mother, Estelle Marks, and sister, Adrienne Marks.

Melissa’s family will have visitation on Monday, April 7, 2025 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Service will be held at 12:30 PM at the funeral home with a burial service to follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Nyack, NY. 

The family will sit Shiva that evening, at their home, and invite you to celebrate Melissa’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please mail donations to the Humane Society of Bergen County (221-223 Stuyvesant Ave, Lyndhurst, NJ 07071) with a memo of, “in memory of Melissa Marks.”

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Emilia “Meel” Metz (nee Todero) of Norwood, NJ, formerly of Ridgefield, NJ, on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the age of 92. She passed peacefully, surrounded by her family, as she rejoined the departed who loved her in life.

Meel was born on September 8, 1932 at Margaret Hague Hospital, the only child to Victor Todero and Felicia Todero (nee Picardi). Raised in Hell’s Kitchen, she married her high school sweetheart James Metz in 1952. They spent the next 57 years devoted to each other through adventure and hardship. Meel is survived by her two beloved daughters Susan Metz Corbo and Kellyann Metz-Acquafredda, her devoted sons-in-law, Emanuel and Emanuele, and her adoring grandchildren, Christopher and Raven.

Following her husband’s return from serving in the Korean War, Meel was an active member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She spent two decades raising her daughters before returning to work as an administrative assistant in Palisades Park, NJ. She loved card games, clams, cannolis, and Virginia Slims (at least until the late ‘80s). She wasn’t what one would call a “natural homemaker,” but she had a remarkable knack for making anyone and everyone feel welcome in her home.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, April 3, 2025 from 4–7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, April 4, 2025 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church, 199 Walnut St, Northvale, NJ. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Hackensack, NJ.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Meel’s name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_icid=header-btn-donate-now

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Thomas E. Byrne of Norwood, NJ.   Mr. T., as he was affectionately known within the family, passed away peacefully at the age of 87.  He was a devoted husband, father, and friend.

Thomas was born to Mary and Thomas Byrne, proud Irish immigrants who instilled in him the values of hard work, family, resilience and always being on time. He carried these principles throughout his life resulting in a merit scholarship in high school requiring him take several trains each day from Queens to get to Bishop Loughlin in Brooklyn. Next step was Manhattan College before starting his career at General Motors in New York City where he met love of his life Jane Bourke Byrne.  He moved on to building a successful career at IBM while always prioritizing family above all else.

He was the beloved husband of the late Jane Byrne, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and companionship. Her recent passing left a deep void in his heart, and now they are reunited in peace.  A loving and devoted father of four sons;  Paul and wife Kristine,  Chris and wife Joann,  Daniel and wife Eileen, Brian and wife Katie.  Proud grandfather of ten;  Mike, Tommy, Megan, Caitlin, Ian, Kiera, John, Aidan, Liam and Delaney.  Dearest brother to the late Joan McCrann and husband Michael.  

Thomas held season tickets for the NY Giants starting in 1962 and enjoyed tailgates and games with his boys.  A lifelong Yankees fan with fond memories of attending a series game in every Playoff Round as well as World Series with his sons during the 1990’s.  He continued his love of watching the Yankees and discussing baseball with his grandchildren.

A celebration of Thomas’s life will be held on Friday, April 4^th, 2025 at Immaculate Conception Church,  211 Summit Street Norwood NJ at 11:00 am . Burial will follow at St Anthony’s Cemetery, Nanuet, NY.  In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the charity of your choice in his memory.

Though he is no longer with us, Thomas’s legacy of love, generosity, and family devotion will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in peace, now forever by Jane’s side.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed through the livestream link below:

https://boxcast.tv/view/thomas-e-byrne-funeral-mass-glj5nw7fqfosdhs8khuz

James J. Clark, 92, of Harrington Park, NJ, passed away at home on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Beloved husband of the late Elizabeth (nee Stanton). Cherished father of three sons; James J. Clark, Jr. and wife Louise M. Gorman, Gerald S. Clark and wife Regina Wimberger-Clark and William F. Clark. Proud grandfather of James G. Clark and wife Naz, Madeline Moyer and husband Zach, Katherine Clark and Sarah Clark.

James was a Marketing Manager for IBM in NYC for 30 years. He was a devoted parishioner and usher at Our Lady of Victories Church, Harrington Park and was a member of the Lions Club. James also enjoyed coaching Little League Baseball in Harrington Park for many years.

Visiting hours are Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Julia Marie Tracy (nee Mazzo)

August 21, 1941- March 19, 2025

Born August 21, 1941, in Westwood, New Jersey, Julia was the 3rd child of Joseph and Lena Mazzo.  The family resided in Old Tappan, New Jersey, where Julia spent her entire life. After high school, Julia went on to secretarial school. She met her beloved husband, Milen (deceased in 2009), at a dance while he was stationed in Orangeburg, New York at the Camp Shanks Army barracks. Julia and Milen quickly fell in love and married on March 16, 1963. They planted their roots, began their family, and made lifelong friends in Old Tappan. 

Julia and Milen were very active together in serving the community of Old Tappan throughout their lives. Julia was very involved in the The Old Tappan Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, participating for decades in providing support. She spent many years delivering the Bergen Record to countless homes. Sharing her “papers” stories will be cherished memories. One of her favorite things to do was serve as crossing guard for countless children and students in Old Tappan for many years. Julia loved having large crowds of family and friends at her home for any holiday. Summer barbeques, endless Easter egg hunts, and endless food on Thanksgiving and Christmas were yearly events. The sounds of children swimming in the pool during the summers were always present. 

Her most important virtue was her commitment to her family and anyone who needed a home. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, caretaker, friend and volunteer. Julia dedicated her life to raising her 7 children – Donna (Tracy) Clancy (husband Martin), Joseph (wife Lisa), Paul (wife Gina), Michael, Robert (wife Danielle), Thomas (wife Heather), and James. When the time came for grandchildren, Julia was committed to giving them the same dedication, love and devotion that she gave to her children. Martin, Megan, Matthew, Erik, Sonia, Jenna, RJ, Kiera, Madison, Miley and Savannah all had the best Nanny. Julia was also a great-grandmother to Tate and Karter. Her home was their home, where they all knew love. She was a “mom” to everyone that needed her.

If you knew Julia, you knew she could cook. Nothing was ever catered, everything was prepared by her with love and countless recipes all committed to memory. If you were in her home, you were never hungry. 

Her gifts to her family are the tremendous ability to love unconditionally, her presence, a dedicated work ethic, strong morals and values, being our rock and matriarch, and her endless love. She was the person we went to for everything. Now, we carry on in her tradition, as she reunites with her beloved Milen.  

Family and friends are invited to visit on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 from 2:00-5:00 at Pizzi Funeral Home 120 Paris Avenue Northvale, New Jersey. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations would be greatly appreciated in Julia’s name to 

Old Tappan First Aid Corp., 4 Russell Avenue Old Tappan, New Jersey 07675. Julia’s father, Joseph Mazzo, co-founded the Corp., and Julia’s husband, Milen, was a life member of the Corp.

John E. Rooney, 85, of Northvale, NJ and Marco Island, FL, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Beloved husband of 61 years to the late Martha E. Rooney (ne Bollman). Loving father of Beth Rooney and Patrick Rooney. Dear brother of Marilyn Makinen.

John was a US Air Force Veteran. He was the longest serving New Jersey State Assemblyman in the state’s history and was a former Mayor of Northvale. John was a salesman for US Electrical Motors and Toshiba in Houston, TX for many years.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 1 PM at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to the Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 196 Firenze St, Northvale, NJ 07647.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Loyd Stalsbroten, 80, of Fort Lee, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Devoted partner of 37 years to Jill Bush. Loving father of Brenda Weiss and her husband Joseph, Eric Stalsbroten and Dane Stalsbroten and his wife Colleen. Loving step-father to Lafe Bush.  Proud grandfather of Ella, Joey, Alyssa, Nolan, Cora, Wells, Finn, MacKenna and Lucas.  Also survived by many relatives and friends.
Loyd was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a truck driver for the Teamsters for many years before retiring. Loyd loved his family and his country, riding his motorcycle and cooking.
A gathering to celebrate his life will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 4-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Loyd’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association,
www.lung.org, or to the Paramus Veteran’s Home  https://www.nj.gov/military/veterans/memorial-
homes/paramus/.
www.pizzifuneralhome.com