Robert E. McLeester, 86, of Westfield, formerly of Northvale, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2013.  Beloved husband of Triny (nee Naranjo).  Loving father of Kenneth and his wife Debra of Clark and Douglas and his wife Carmen of Flemington.  Adored grandfather of Alec and Luke. Dear brother of the late William, Marion and Dorothy.

  Robert was a US Army Veteran, and a graduate of Syracuse University.  He was a career journalist and retired from American Color in Hackensack as Editor.  In his spare time, he was a journalist and photographer of HS athletic events for several Bergen county newspapers.  While in Northvale he was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church and was a member of the Parish Council, Choir and the President of the St. Anthony’s School Parent’s Guild.  After moving to Westfield he became a parishioner of St. Helen’s RC Church and joined the Choir there as well.  His hobbies included singing, photography, bowling and watching his favorite sports teams the NY Giants, both football and baseball, as well as the NY Mets.  He also enjoyed his time with the Maplewood Glee Club.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 12 Noon at St. Anthony’s Church, Northvale with interment to follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.  Visiting hours are Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org would be greatly appreciated.

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Thelma Russ (nee Cullum), 92, of Old Tappan, passed away on Friday, November 22, 2013.  Beloved wife of the late William Russ.  Devoted mother of Kevin Russ of Old Tappan and the late Barbara Lynn Russ.  Also survived by her sister Frankie Hooshagen.  A Funeral Service will be held Sunday 2:00 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.  Visitiation will begin at 1:30.

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  Robert C. Planz, 88, of River Vale, formerly of Harrington Park, passed away on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  He was born in the Village of Port Chester, New York on June 10, 1925 to Charles Christian and Alice (Deutsch) Planz.  Robert married Josephine Marie Terp on November 7, 1948. Beloved husband of Josephine (nee Terp).  Devoted father 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 grandfather of John Christopher and Robert Charles Cornell and Kevin Patrick and Mathew Andrew McKeon.

  Mr. Planz was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII.  Before retiring he was president of Opti-Wright, a manufacturing company of West Warren, MA.  Upon retirement he volunteered at Pascack Valley Hospital and was treasurer of the gift shop and was president of Holiday Farms Condominiums for eleven years.  Robert was a member of the Harrington Park American Legion Post 30.  In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, golf, target shooting, and stamp and coin collecting.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.  Visiting hours are Friday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

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   Richard J. Nelson, 81, of Manahawkin and Hollywood, FL, formerly of Northvale, passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013.  Beloved husband of Ann (nee Provitera).  Devoted father of Ricky Nelson of Clifton, Tracey Ferraro and her husband Christopher of Northvale and Christopher Nelson and his wife Maryann of Oradell.  Cherished grandfather of Sean, Christopher, Chelsea, Jamie, Olivia, Sophia and Christopher.

   Mr. Nelson was a US Navy Korean War Veteran.  Before retiring he worked for the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 52 in NYC for many years.  Besides the love of his family, Richard enjoyed spending his time by the water, fishing, playing cards and especially loved gardening.  He will be dearly missed.

   A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.  Visiting hours are Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale.

  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org would be greatly appreciated.

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Nicholas Mattiace, 85, of Closter, formerly of Bergenfield, passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 17, 2013.  He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Norma (nee Boyd), and his beloved children, Linda Zappulla and her husband Tony of Blauvelt, NY, Nicholas Mattiace and his wife Barbara of River Vale, Steven Mattiace and his wife Suzanne of Old Tappan, Lisa Battell and her husband Kevin of Emerson and Lori Mattiace O’Connor of Northvale.  Cherished grandfather of Kimberly, Cheryl, Jill, Nicholas, JoAnn, Lisa, Melissa, Sara, Daniel, Kristian, Olivia, Zachary, Kassidy and Kamryn and great-grandfather of Paul, Julia, Joseph, Nicholas, Connor, Tyler, Gracyn, Evan, Matthew and Ella.  He was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters.

Nick was known for his big heart, generosity, and devotion to his family and friends.  A US Army Veteran of WWII and a business owner, his dedication to all that he did was an inspiration to all that knew him.  All who had the good fortune to meet Nick, not only knew it, but rarely forgot him. With his quick wit and contagious smile, he not only had the ability to fill a room with laughter, but he was a source of happiness wherever he went.  There are no words that can quite do Nick justice, but a testament to his life can be found in all those he leaves behind who have been inspired by this truly amazing man.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 10 AM at St. Mary’s RC Church, Closter with interment to follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale.

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Howard Charles Frasse, 82, of Norwood, died on Friday, November 8, 2013.  Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Howard has resided in Norwood for 52 years.  He served in the US Air Force (1951-1955) as a Crypto Technician.  He worked for CitiBank as a Manager until he retired in 1991.  He then became a Crossing Guard for the Borough of Norwood for eleven years, retiring in 2005.  Howard was a member of the Church of the Holy Communion, Norwood, and served on the Vestry for many years.  He is survived by his wife, Sarah (Sally) of 56 years; three sons, William and his wife Colette of Park Ridge, Thomas of Norwood and John of McKinney, TX; and grandchildren Alison and Nicholas.  Loving brother of Joan B. Taylor of Monroe Twp., NJ.   Uncle of Christine and Edward Moriarty, Alison and Jeffrey Parsons, James and Ellen Taylor, Crystal and Joseph Fernandez and Jennifer and Martin Gilligan.  A Memorial Service will be held at the Church of the Holy Communion on Saturday, December 7 at 11:00 AM with entombment of the cremains in the Church Columbarium.  The family requests donations be made to the Church of the Holy Communion, 66 Summit St., Norwood, NJ 07648 and/or the Norwood EMS, PO Box 8, Norwood.

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Vincent P. Criscuolo, 72, of Dumont, passed away on Friday, November 8, 2013.  Beloved husband of 51 years to Marilyn (nee Byron).  Devoted father of Mark and his wife Teresa of Northvale and Matthew and his fiancée Melissa of Vernon.  Cherished grandfather of Nicholas and Sara.  Loving son of Florence and the late Salvatore Criscuolo.  Dear brother of June Kittel of Bronx, NY and Helen Coyle and her husband Joseph Coyle of Gordonsville, VA.  Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Before retiring, Vincent was an electrician with IBEW Local 3 in NYC.  He served in the USMC and was a member of the American Legion.  He also belonged to the Dumont Elks and the Passaic River Yacht Club.

A Funeral Service will be held Wednesday 11:00 AM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27106, New York, NY 10087, www.mskcc.org, in Vincent’s name would be greatly appreciated.

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Louise Maio (nee DeSimone), 92, of Nanuet, formerly of the Bronx, died on Thursday, Nov 7.  Beloved wife of the late Joseph.  Loving mother of Joseph and his wife Karen of Valley Cottage, George and his wife Paula of Hackensack, NJ, John and his wife Diane of Valley Cottage and Richard and his wife Nancy of Little Silver, NJ.  Adored grandmother of Joseph, Lauren, John, Ashlee, Caren, Michael and Alyssa and was a cherished great-grandmother of seven.  She was predeceased by her grandsons Anthony and Joseph.

Louise was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church, Nanuet and was a member of its senior center as well as the Nanuet Senior Center.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 10:00 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Nanuet with interment to follow at St. Anthony’s Cemetery.  Visiting hours are Sunday 2-5 PM and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Lustgarten Foundation for pancreatic cancer research, 1111 Stewart Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714 or www.lustgarten.org, would be greatly appreciated.

Gerry Hennessey, of Norwood, formerly of Demarest, passed away peacefully at his home on Nov. 6, 2013. He was 67 years old.

Gerry, youngest son of the late Joseph and Helen, is survived by his loving wife, Gina, nee Leocata, children Dallas, and his wife, Amy, of California, Stephen and K.C., of Norwood, and brother Daniel. Proud grandpa to Kyra and Avery, who lovingly called him “Poppa G.” Predeceased by his brothers Joseph and Robert. He will be greatly missed by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, and nieces and nephews. He will be especially missed by his loving puppy Daisy.

A member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union No. 164 for 40 years and a New Jersey electrical sub-code inspector in local municipalities for the last nine years, Gerry was proud of his profession. He was also a proud United States Army veteran during the Vietnam War era.

Gerry was a compassionate father who loved coaching and supporting his children’s Little League baseball and softball teams in Norwood. A true family man who worked very hard for his family.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday 10:00 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood.  Visiting hours are Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to VITAS Hospice Care, 70 South Orange Avenue, Suite 210, Livingston, N.J., 07039 would be appreciated.

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Vito Pallone, 89, of Northvale, passed away at home on Friday, November 1, 2013.  Beloved husband to Concetta (nee Giannotta) of 67 years.  Devoted father of Louise Kemmlein and her husband Charles of Congers, NY and Rosanne Firenze, also of Congers.  Adored grandfather of Kimberly, James, Christopher, Kristen, Melissa  and Michael.  Cherished great-grandfather of Riana, Taylor, Katie, James, Derick, Chase, Justin and Devin.  Dearest brother of Marie Alfano and Rose Gioia and predeceased by six sisters.  Vito will also be missed by his excellent caregiver, Mary.

Vito was a US Army veteran of WWII having received two purple hearts.  Before retiring he was a mason tender for Local 79 in NYC.  He was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale and was an active member of the Northvale Senior Center.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Twp.  Visiting hours are Sunday 2-4 and 7-9 at the Pizzi Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com