Walter K. Prucnel, 75, of Norwood, went home to the Lord on Sunday, February 8, 2015.  Beloved husband of Dee (nee Carcich).  Devoted father of Peter and his partner Paul Colacchio of Long Beach, CA, Patricia of Stony Point, NY and Paul and his wife Tonya of Park Ridge. Loving brother of Barbara Bellino and her husband Frank of Palisades Park and uncle of Karen and Doug Helmstedder and Elaine and Michael Samman. Walter will be dearly missed by his family and also his cats, Romeo, Cupid and Probie; his grandcats, Rascal, Elsa, Berkeley and Pumpkin and his grandparakeet, Stormy.  He was predeceased by his parents, Agnes and Rudy and his beloved granddogs, Mary and Joseph and his grandcats, Tomcat and Jerryberry.

Walter was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, Norwood, and was devoted to Immaculate Conception/Holy Family Schools, working bingo and the carnival faithfully for many years.  Walter was a US Army veteran.  He owned and operated Charger Mate, a company specializing in industrial and automotive batteries and chargers. After retiring, his hobby was writing and he published five books, of which he was very proud.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with entombment in Gate of Heaven, East Hanover, NJ.  Visitation is Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Animal Life Savers, PO Box 12, Palisades Park, NJ 07650 would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Barbara Pischera (nee Griffiths), 66, of Orangeburg, passed away on Sunday, February 8, 2015.  Beloved wife of Louis.  Devoted mother of Gina Pischera of Yonkers and Dana Mancilla and her husband Simon of Yonkers.  Dearest sister of John Piccininni of Saddle River, NJ, Richard and Nadine Piccininni of West Nyack and the late William Griffiths, Robert Griffiths and Nicholas Piccininni.  Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and dear friends.

For those who were lucky enough to know Barbara can all agree she was truly one of a kind.

The family will receive friends Thursday and Friday 2-4 & 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at St. Catharine’s RC Church, Blauvelt with entombment to follow at St. Anthony’s Mausoleum, Nanuet.

Memorial donations to the American Heart Association, www.americanheart.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Lawrence Stephen Craven, 68, of Northvale, NJ passed away on February 7^th following a valiant battle with cancer.

Beloved husband of 42 years of Mary Beth Craven, devoted father to Stephen and wife Jennifer of Tinton Falls, NJ and Patrick and wife Casey of Moorestown, NJ, and loving grandfather to Clara (5), Dexter (3), Fiona (2) and Kodiak (1).  Larry is also survived by his sister Christine, his brothers-in-law Daniel and wife Peggy Judge and Steve Judge, 10 dear nieces and nephews, his aunt Clare Craven and many cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Evelyn Craven.

Larry was a graduate of Blair Academy and St. Peter’s College.  He spent his career working in Employee Benefits at Kwasha-Lipton, Becton Dickinson and MetLife.  After retiring, Larry became an EMT and joined the Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corps, where he served terms as President and Captain, among others.  He was also the treasurer of the Genealogical Society of Bergen County.  Previously he served on the Board of Trustees of the James F. McGuire Senior Citizen Center and the Academic Decathlon.  He had been involved in Boy Scouts and was Soccer director and coach for soccer and baseball teams.  He was an active parishioner of St. Anthony’s Church in Northvale and was a Eucharistic Minister there.

He enjoyed travel, especially many genealogy-based trips to find his and his wife’s family ancestry.  He loved the Berkshires which he visited annually, especially for the classical music at Tanglewood.  He also loved to golf and watch birds.  He relished his role as a grandfather and his grandkids were crazy about him and will miss him very much.

Viewing will be Wednesday, February 11^th at Pizzi Funeral Home located at 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale at 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm.  The Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at St. Anthony’s Church in Northvale, NJ, Thursday, February 12^th at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Massachusetts Audubon Berkshire Sanctuaries and the Northvale Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Robert A. Traudt, Sr., 90, of Northvale, formerly of Norwood, passed away at home on Friday, February 6, 2015.  Beloved husband of Patricia (nee Flanagan).  Cherished father of Robert Traudt, O.Carm. of Middletown, NY, JoAnne Knanishu and husband Glenn of Tappan, NY, Laurie Traudt of Greenwood Lake, NY, Matthew Traudt and wife Jeane of Northvale, John  Traudt and wife Joan of Hillsdale and the late Mary Traudt and Christopher Traudt.  Adored grandfather of Shanna Leahy and the late Christina Knanishu.  Predeceased by his first wife Mary.

Bob was a proud U.S. Navy veteran of WWII.  He was a Tin Can Sailor who served aboard the USS Turner, DD 648 and was a member of the Norwood American Legion Post 272.  He also served the Borough of Norwood for many years as a member of the Auxiliary Police Dept., the Volunteer Ambulance Corps., and the Fire Company.  He was also a Lector and taught CCD at Immaculate Conception Church.

Bob was a painting contractor who owned and operated B. Traudt and Sons Painting.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.  Visitation is Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050).

Memorial donations to the Wounded Warriors Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, would be greatly appreciated.

Anna Witkowski (nee Brandt), 88, of Norwood, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2015.  Predeceased by husbands Stanley Witkowski and John Witkowski.  Loving mother of Barbara Greenblatt and husband Jeffrey of Mendocino, CA, Walter and wife Wendy of Washington, NJ and Kenneth and wife Donna of Woodbridge, NJ.  Adored grandmother of Eric, Joan, Alex, Adam and Emily.  Dear sister of the late Frances Wroblewski and Charles Brandt.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 9:30 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with interment to follow at St. James Cemetery, Woodbridge.  Visitation is Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050).

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Anthony D. Viglietta, 83, of Tappan, passed away at home among his devoted and admiring family on Saturday, January 31, 2015. Tony was born in Pietrafitta, Settifratti, Frosinone, Italy. He was the beloved husband of Mary Ann (née Foscante) and the loving father of Angela (Stephen) and Kathleen, of Piermont and Nyack respectively. Anthony had six grandchildren–James, Heather, Sean, Madison, Christian and Mia–all of whom he loved without reservation and was immensely proud of. He was the dear and doting brother of Theresa Fennell (Trevor) of Pearl River, Pasquale (Cindy) of New Rochelle and the late Rocco, as well as the beloved uncle of many nieces and nephews.

Tony was the chef of Angelo’s Restaurant in Riverdale, in the Bronx, and worked also with his family in their tile business. He was a source of endless wisdom, comfort and guidance to all who had the pleasure of knowing him, and he will most surely and dearly be missed.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill.  Visitation is Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956 would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Jerry J. Morelli, age 97, resident of Closter for over 60 years, passed away at home on Saturday, January 31, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Beloved husband of the late Nora (nee Gallagher).  Loving father of Gerald and wife Marilyn of Old Tappan, Maureen D’Ercole and husband Frank of Norwood, Kevin and wife Norma of Cresskill and Richard and wife Patricia of Boca Raton, FL.  Cherished grandfather of Colleen McGowan and husband Matthew, Brian D’Ercole, Kristen Dockendorf and husband Christopher, Lori Ryan and husband David, Gerald Morelli and wife Barbara, Matthew, Janine, and Jennifer Morelli, Gillian, Sam, and Sean Morelli and Shauna Meyer and husband Mike.  Adored great-grandfather of Matthew, Caitlin, and Ryan McGowan, Frankie and Victoria D’Ercole, Connor, Melissa and Lilly Ryan, Matthew and Jonathan Morelli, Ryan, Alex, and Jackson Meyer.  Dearest Uncle of Marie McMahon, as well as many other loving nieces and nephews.  Also survived by his dear friend Betty Corvino and his caretakers, David Figueroa and Marianne Collins.  Predeceased by his sisters, Rebecca, Rose, Josephine and Matilda.  

A proud WWII veteran of the US Army, Jerry belonged to the Closter American Legion Leroy Meade Post 111.  He was a plumber for Local 1, NY, NY for over 35 years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.  Visitation is Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Closter Ambulance Corps., 72 Ruckman Road, Closter, NJ 07624 would be appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Anthony R. Mazzarella, 77, of Tappan, formerly of Long Island City, Queens, passed away at home on Saturday, January 24, 2015.  Loving husband of Deanne (nee Pelio).  Cherished father of his three children; Michelle Racca and husband Marcello of Tappan, Daniel Mazzarella and Bethziada of Middle Village, Queens and Kris Mazzarella and husband Kenneth Kugaczewski of Tappan.  Adored grandfather of Francesca and Daniel.  Dear brother of Mickey, Andrew, Elizabeth, Gabriel, Josephine and Anne.  Predeceased by his first wife Frances Toal.

Tony was a hard-working Restauranteur who owned The Waterfront Crabhouse in Long Island City for over 35 years, as well as many other businesses over the years.

Tony served as a member of the American Cancer Society, Queens Division.  He was the founder of the Patty Fund for Childhood Cancer, and together with his many friends, for over twenty years, has helped ease the pain and suffering of children with cancer.  Tony started an annual July 4th block party that raised thousands of dollars for the benefit of cancer patients.  Other events like Jail and Bail, and bachelor and bachelorette auctions were held at the Crab House all for the benefit of The American Cancer Society. Every year he would host a Christmas party for kids with cancer. The rule was any of Tony’s friends had to come dressed in a costume to help with games for the children.  It was a great event.

 

Tony was instrumental in the development of the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Manhattan where cancer patients and their care givers can stay free of charge while undergoing cancer treatment.  Through his efforts a day room for kids was funded at Hope Lodge.

 

He helped with many programs for children with cancer at Schneider Children’s Hospital such as funding for chairs that turned into beds so parents could stay with their children at night, and cheerfully colored hats for kids that were losing their hair from treatments, just to name a few, .

 

In recognition of his commitment to finding a cure for cancer, Tony was honored with the American Cancer Society’s St. George Medal, which is the highest and most prestigious award for outstanding service and leadership in the fight against cancer.

 

The Sunnyside Lions Club honored Tony with an award as a “Knight for the Blind” for helping to raise money for a guide dog named Grieco in memory of Vinny Grieco.

Tony was a member of the New York State Wine and Grape Foundation and served during Mario Cuomo’s term as Governor.  Anthony was a member of the New York State Boxing Commission, Treasurer of the Ring 8 Veteran Boxers Association and the driving force to establish a New York State Boxing Hall of Fame in Queens.

When illegal drugs were a major problem in western Queens, Tony with Father Costello, called for a “Walk on Crack” to raise public awareness about the dangers of crack cocaine.

 

Tony started the Golden Mittens as way for young kids to focus and learn skills by encouraging physical fitness as a way to work with kids to not use drugs.

 

Tony was instrumental in Golden Glove events throughout Queens to raise money for the Patty Fund.

 

He was well known and well-liked by politicians who would seek Tony’s advice and guidance on many community issues.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 11 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan.  Visiting hours are Thursday 2-4 and 6-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956 or the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge, 132 West 32nd Street, NY, NY 10001 (800-227-2345).

Edward J. Governale, 85. Of Northvale, formerly of Bergenfield, passed away at home on Wednesday, January 21, 2015.  Beloved husband of Theresa (nee Amorosso) for 58 years.  Born July 9, 1929 to the late Francis and Katherine Governale.  Loving father of Katherine Diore and husband Joseph of Dumont and Marie Menti and husband Peter of Dumont.  Truly devoted and loving grandfather of Lauren and Kristian Diore.  Dear brother of George Governale and wife Joan of Harrington Park and brother-in-law of Sam and Joan Amorosso, Charles and Elaine Amorosso and Ceil and Frank Rampolla.  Cherished uncle of many nieces and nephews.  Predeceased by his brothers; Andrew and Helen, Anthony and Geraldine, Joseph and Josephine, and Frank and Dolores and sisters; Pauline and Andrew Pesenti, Rose and Matthew Hilliard and Ann and Cleland Martini.

Ed was a US Army veteran of the Korean War.  He was a letter carrier for the Bergenfield Post Office for 37 years.  He also worked for Bergen County Special Services and with his brother at Governale’s Deli in River Edge for many years.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.  Visitation is Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale 201-767-3505.

Memorial donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org, or the Leukemia Research Foundation, www.leukemia-research.org, would be greatly appreciated.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Josephine D. Novak (nee Taborelli), 95, a longtime resident of Old Tappan, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2015.  Beloved wife of the late Emil, daughter of the late Joseph and Louisa Taborelli, dearest sister of the late Oliver Taborelli.  Loving mother of Roger J. Novak and wife Gail of Cape Coral, FL, Dennis G. Novak and wife Christine of Harrington Park and Gail Fournier of Gettysburg, PA.  Cherished grandmother of Heather, Jennifer, Kathryn, Roxann and Robin and great-grandmother of Kaylie, Gavin, Leah, Matthew, Kristopher and Nicholas.  Dear sister-in-law of John Novak and Joan Taborelli.

Josephine was an active, founding member of the Old Tappan Fire Dept. Ladies Auxiliary.  She was an accomplished seamstress cheerfully sewing clothing and crocheting sweaters and blankets.  She worked at Deluxe Cleaners in Northvale.

The family thanks the staff at Memory Care of Park Ridge for their kindness and compassion to Josephine over the past 9 1/2 years.

In lieu of flowers a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) would be appreciated.

A funeral service will be held Monday, 1/26 at 11am at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale 201-767-3050.  Visitation will be on Sunday, 1/25 from 2pm to 5pm.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com