April 20, 1927 – January 8, 2022

Gloria Maria Meléndez, affectionately known as “Mamita,” “Guela,” “Tata,” “Tatita,” & “Chonchi,” passed away peacefully at Stony Brook Hospital surrounded by the love of her family on the morning of January 8, 2022. 

Adored mother of four children, Gloria is survived by her son, Alejandro Torres, and his wife Deborah Torres; her daughters, Idia Meléndez and her husband Luis Sabater Sr., Elsa Seguinot and her husband Victor Seguinot Jr., and Ana Bermudez and her husband, Carlos Bermudez Sr. 

She was widowed twice: first to the late Alejandro Torres Sr., who was taken from her too soon, and, then widowed again, after more than fifty years of marriage to the late Dolores Meléndez.
Her five grandchildren survive her: Luis Sabater Jr., Carlos Bermudez, Jessica Torres, Alexis Torres and Alise Seguinot.

She also is survived by her six great-grandchildren: India Sabater, Nina Sabater, Kiannah Sabater, Anthony Sabater, Lily Contreras and Antonio Bermudez. 

She was blessed with a long life full of love that allowed her to have a great-great-granddaughter Zaskyah Ortiz- Sabater.

Her family was her pride and joy, and she was so proud of them all for being so loving, driven, and successful.

On April 20, 1927, Gloria was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, where she worked as a nurse before moving to the United States, where she was married. Her husband, Dolores Meléndez, was a World War II veteran. Gloria raised her son and three daughters in Washington Heights, New York City, where she lived for 58 years. Gloria attended Bronx Community College and worked as a travel guide in several European countries. She later opened her travel agency, “Family Excursions.”
One of her most extraordinary talents was as a songwriter and composer. Gloria composed music and lyrics, and many of her songs were recorded by various singers in Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the United States. She wrote and composed songs such as, “Ave Perdida”, “Nadie se Muere Solo”, “Me Voy a Olvidar”, “Depende De Ti”, “Eso te Creias” and “Cao Cao Mani Picao”. She also wrote novels that were published in Ecos de Ella Magazine.

Gloria was a resident of Rockland County, New York, for the past eight years. During this time, she loved to spend quality time with family and friends at her residence. Most of all, she loved to cook great Puerto Rican food that some would consider chef-quality, especially her family. She is best known for her delicious pernil and arroz con gandules, but most of all, for her arepas. Gloria was the keystone of her family. She radiated love, compassion, and elegant power that allowed her to bring everyone together. She was also equipped with an immense love of family and friends; a razor-sharp wit, fun-loving humor, and a vibrant personality allowed her to light up any room, even on the saddest of days. She was greatly loved and respected by all.

Visiting hours are Friday, January 14, 2022 1:00 – 4:00 PM and 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Pizzi Funeral Home 120 Paris Avenue Northvale, NJ 07647 (tel: 201-767-3050) 

The wake will be live streamed from 

2:30 – 3:30 PM and can be viewed through the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/gloria-maria-melendez-wake-service-610473

A funeral mass will commence on:
Saturday, January 15, 2022, at 10:00 AM at
Saint Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church 199 Walnut Street,Northvale, NJ 07647 and can be viewed through the livestream link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/gloria-maria-melendez-funeral-mass-772744

Interment to follow at:
Frederick Loescher Veterans Memorial Cemetery 220 Brick Church Rd Spring Valley, NY 10977

In honor of Gloria Maria Meléndez and in lieu of flowers, family and friends can donate to any of the following organizations:
American Lung Association:  https://www.lung.org
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation:  https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org
American Heart Association: https//www.heart.org.

Florists: pizzifuneralhome.com

Mary Jane Danza Capobianco, 77, of River Vale, NJ, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her family on January 8, 2022. Beloved wife of the late Robert J. Capobianco, cherished mother of devoted daughters, Angela Santomero and husband Greg of NY, Jennifer Brackenbury and husband Scott of Harrington Park, NJ , son, Robert, and loving cousin of Felicia and husband, James Castle. Proud grandmother of Austin, Hope, Ryan, Ella, Isabella, Aidan, Landon, Reese and Bennett and cousins Sabrina and Jenna. Dear sister of Phyllis Hickey and the late Gaetano Danza.Mary Jane was a manager and integral member  of Mid County Endodontics in Ridgewood for many years. Her grandchildren were her life and she was so proud of all of them. She will be remembered for her infectious smile, love of family, smart wit, sense of humor, her signature red lipstick and love of the Bronx’s Arthur Avenue.  Visiting hours will be Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ(201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:15 AM on Monday, January 10, 2022 at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park, NJ.In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, would be greatly appreciated.www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Joseph L. Ascolese of Norwood, NJ.

August 9, 1934 – January 6, 2022

Died in Englewood after a long illness at the age of 87. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Joan M Ascolese (nee Ahrens of New Milford), daughter, Janet and son, Greg and his wife, Yoshiko and his four grandchildren, Kevin, Kara and her husband Chris, Miyako and Louis.

Born in Hoboken. Moved to Norwood at 5 years old. Graduated Tenafly High School 1952. Graduated Clarkson College of Technology in Potsdam, NY in 1956 with a Bachelors of Science in Electrical Engineering on Army ROTC scholarship. Upon graduation, Joe started full time as an electrical engineer with Bendix in their Flight Systems Division. In parallel, Joe was a US Army Signal Corp Reservist and in evenings studied for his Masters of Science in Electrical Engineering at Stevens College and graduated.

During his 61 year career with the Flight Systems Division of Bendix, later acquired by Allied Signal and Honeywell, Joe worked as a design engineer, engineering manager and program manager on the development and production of leading edge digital flight instruments for major military and commercial aircraft as well as the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) which landed on the moon. In total, Joe worked for Flight Systems Division for 61 years, from 1956 until his retirement in 2017 at the age of 83 and was honored by the Honeywell CEO at his retirement ceremony as the longest tenured engineer.

Joe was devoted to the borough of Norwood and was active as a Little League Baseball Coach, President of the Board of Education, Planning Board Chairman and was active in the Immaculate Conception RC Church parish.

Visiting hours are Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 2-5 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Monday, January 10, 2022 at 10 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, Norwood with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

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

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Theodore “Ted” Gershon of Princeton Junction, husband, father of three, and grandfather to seven, passed away on Saturday, January 1, at the age of 76.  Born and raised in New Brunswick, Ted had a lifelong commitment to public education, a great knowledge of music, a strong commitment to family, and an unrivaled gift for storytelling.

Ted’s mother helped run one of the most popular restaurants in New Jersey in the 1950’s and 60’s, where early on, Ted was introduced to countless colorful figures. Ted and his sister Diane benefited growing up- and later in adulthood- from uncles, aunts and cousins rich in humor.  With a father who was an accomplished professional musician and fellow drummer, Ted was working professionally as a musician while still a student at New Brunswick High School.  He continued to play countless jobs as he worked his way through Jersey City State College and then, as a graduate student at Rutgers.  He married the love of his life, Kathy, in August of 1969, and welcomed sons Brian, Michael and Jason thereafter.  

Early in his career, Ted taught students with special needs.Inspired to be an advocate for students, Ted accepted a position as Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Education for the New Jersey Department of Education, where he made great contributions to workforce development, improving career opportunities for students with disabilities, and the education of prison inmates.

After leaving the State, Ted worked in various administrative roles in education before accepting a position at Columbia University.  At Columbia University, he served as Associate Vice President, Special Advisor, Workforce Development. He continued to consult on education and workforce development issues until the last weeks of his life.  This tied in to one of Ted’s other great passions: politics. Ted was active in the Democratic Party throughout his life, attending several presidential conventions. He combined his passion for politics and education by working with Democratic office holders on the state and national level to better serve the educational needs of underserved communities.  His counsel was eagerly sought -Ted advised members of Congress, served as an educational consultant to the White House Empowerment Zone Task Force, and advised nonprofit organizations on educational issues.

Ted and Kathy had a diverse circle of friends, ranging from ones they had known for decades to ones they met in the last year of Ted’s life.  One of his greatest passions was spending time withhis sons and seven grandsons – Evan, Eric, Peter, Joseph, Daniel, Jeffrey and James.  Ted was often found in his yard, surrounded by family and friends, telling colorful stories, sharing insights on politics and smoking a cigar.  Long meals at Ted and Kathy’s house always featured amazing food and great laughs.

Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, January 5, 2022 from 11 AM to 12 Noon. A funeral service will be held at 12 with burial to follow at Tappan Cemetery, Tappan, NY.

Donations in his memory may be made to:

West Windsor Fire & EMS, 271 Clarksville Road, PO Box #38, West Windsor, NJ 08550, Attention: Chief Lynch

Mercer Street Friends, 151 Mercer Street, Trenton, NJ 08611 (www.mercerstreetfriends.org)

Dorina Grillo (nee Rinaldi), 55, of Orangeburg, NY, passed away at home surrounded by the love of her family on Wednesday, December 29, 2021.  Beloved wife of Vincenzo Grillo. Adored mother of Filomena Vasapolli and her husband Michael of Montgomery, NY and Nico Grillo of Orangeburg. Cherished sister of Salvatore Rinaldi and sister-in-law of Geppino Grillo and his wife Anna. Adored aunt of Kyle Rinaldi, Dylan Rinaldi, Nikki Grillo and Sal Grillo.

Dorina worked for the South Orangetown School District for many years. She was a parishioner of St. Catharine’s Church and was a member of the Sons and Daughters of Italy Romanesque Lodge 2198. Above all, Dorina was a devoted wife, mother, sister and friend and will be missed by all who knew her.

Visiting hours are Monday, January 3, 2022 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, January 4, 2022 at 10 AM at St. Catharine’s RC Church, Blauvelt with entombment to follow at St. Anthony’s Mausoleum, Nanuet, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Anthony Aloysius Dill, 82, of Norwood, passed away on Monday, December 27, 2021. Beloved husband of Gisela Elisabeth (nee Hirtes). Devoted father of Dr. Barbara A. Dill and husband Richard Smith of Norwood and Regina Dill-Murnane and husband Dennis of Blue Point, NY. Proud grandfather of Dillon Smith, Chelsea Smith, Aiden Smith and Chloe Murnane. Brother of Aloys, Arthur and Mary.

Anthony was born February 28, 1939 in Jersey City Medical Center. He was the son of a Blacksmith and a Nurse. He grew up in the Bronx, where he attended Roosevelt High School. He was the first eldest son in generations not to pursue a career as a Blacksmith. Instead, he studied Electrical Engineering, initially as an undergraduate at the City College of New York, then obtaining a Masters at Columbia University. As part of his Military Service as a First Lieutenant in the US Army, he was stationed in Germany during the initial phases of the Berlin Wall Crisis. While in Germany he met and married his wife, Gisela Hirtes. The Newlyweds returned to the US, where he began his civilian Electrical Engineering Career at ConEdison. He then continued his career at American Airlines and IBM, from which he retired in White Plains in 1994. He was also a member of the Society of American Military Engineers. The family was blessed with two daughters, Barbara & Regina. They lived in Rockland County, where the girls attended school from Elementary through High School. He was an avid boater & motorcyclist—especially proud of his orange BMW Motorrad. In 2001 Anthony & Gisela retired to Bergen County. During retirement, the couple enjoyed extensive global travels.

A celebration of Anthony’s life will be held this Sunday (Jan 2).  Please contact the family for more information.

Those who wish may make a donation in Anthony’s memory to: Hi Tor Animal Shelter, Pomona, NY https://www.hitor.org/online-donations.

Margaret “Peggy” White (nee Murray), 80, of Tappan, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 22, 2021.

Peggy was born in the Bronx, New York in November 1941 to Martin and Ellen Murray.  After graduating from Cathedral High School in Manhattan in 1958 with commencement in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, she went to work at Phelps Dodge Co. in NYC.  Shortly after, she met Robert “Bob” White, and they were married in 1964.  Living in the Bronx until the birth of their children, Peg and Bob then relocated to Tappan, NY where she was an active parishioner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church and a past member of the Rosary Altar Society.

Peggy worked at Prentice Hall in West Nyack and Old Tappan for many years before she and Bob relocated several times, living in Chicago, San Francisco, Dallas, and Charlotte.  Upon Bob’s retirement in 1999, Peg and Bob returned home to Tappan to be near family and friends.

In retirement, Peg and Bob were active in their grandchildren’s lives and enjoyed traveling.  In addition to exploring many countries in western Europe, they had the opportunity to visit the pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, the Red Square of Moscow, the Opera House in Sydney, Australia, and New Zealand.

She is survived by her husband Bob of 57 years, daughter Joanne White, son Robert (Cheryl), grandchildren Chris Higley, Megan Higley, Alexis White, Andrew White, and sister Maureen (Walter) Sherwood, sister-in-law Joan Murray, and many nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Thomas and sister-in-law Ena Murray, and brother William Murray. 

Visiting hours are Monday, December 27, 2021 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church in Tappan with interment to follow at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill, NY.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Peg’s memory to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research through the link below:

https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=2210&np=true

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Albina Perez (nee Palomeque), 80, of Norwood, formerly of Teaneck, passed away at home surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, December 18, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Francisco J. Perez. Cherished mother of Fernando J. Perez and his wife Paola of Dumont, Adriana M. Perez, M.D. of Norwood, David I. Perez of Norwood  and Joanna P. Rivera and her husband Angel of Old Tappan. Proud grandmother of Francesco, Cristina, Matteo, Daniel and Sophia.

Before immigrating to the United States in 1965, Albina was an accountant in Colombia, where she was born and raised. In the US, she worked at the Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics & Cosmetology for many years, as well as raising her family.

Visiting hours are Tuesday, December 21, 2021 from 6-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at 11 AM at St. John’s RC Church, Bergenfield.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Albina’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org.

Robert C. Hennessy passed away on Thursday, December 16, 2021.
Bob was the beloved husband to Alice “Vida” (nee Muller) for 63 years, and a loving father and friend to John and his wife Cheryl of Mahwah and Kathleen of Norwood. Dear friend of Martin Kane, Bob McQuillan, and Joel Friedman.
Also survived by sister-in-law Geraldine Muller and many nieces and nephews.
Bob was a US Air Force veteran and served during the Korean War.
He worked for many years as an environmental counsel at the Picatinny Arsenal in NJ, and was very active in the employee movement to Save Picatinny during the base closings in the 1980s.
Bob volunteered at St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark for more than 40 years. He also volunteered with the Legislative Action Committee of the Interreligious Fellowship for the Homeless, advocating for more affordable housing and services for the homeless.
Bob also served on the Board of the Norwood Public Library for more than 30 years, serving as Trustee, Treasurer, and President.
Bob was an avid biker who participated in more than 30 NYC 5 Boro Bike Tours. He was a long time member of the Norwood Swim Club. He loved travel, theater, and museums. He was a parishioner of St. Anthony’s in Northvale, NJ.

Visiting hours will be Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 11 am to noon at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave. Northvale, NJ(201)767-3050. A Funeral Service will be held at 12 noon with internment to follow at the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah, NJ.

Maria Isabel Arancibia of Bergenfield, New Jersey passed away on December 13, 2021 at Holy Name Hospital. She was surrounded by family and friends by her side in her final days. She will greatly be missed by all who knew and loved her. Maria was born in Santiago, Chile May 1948 to Cristina and Isaias Mejias.She married Ricardo A Arancibia on October 5, 1963. She was a loving and devoted mother to their five children. Maria leaves behind her children Maria (Ali) Medina, Ricardo Arancibia, Felicia (Peter) Vega, Eva (Chester) Czerny, and Angelica (Christopher) Princivil. She also was grandmother to 10 grandchildren William, Andrew, Cristian, Michael, Maria, Isabel, Kevin, Felicia, Steven, and Cristina, who affectionately called her “Ita”.
Maria had many jobs that she enjoyed. She worked as a child care provider in a family daycare, at Englewood Hospital as a caretaker, and later worked as a school bus driver for children with special needs. But most of all she was proud to have served as a full time evangelizer for over 30 years helping people learn about God.
Maria was known for her kindness and love she gave to all. Many called Maria their second mother because she was there for them in their time of need. Her hobbies included sewing, knitting, reading and listening to music.
Three things she really enjoyed were going to parties to get on the dance floor, a day at the beach with her family enjoying the waves, and a nice cup of hot tea.
Although her family is greatly saddened by her loss, they have the hope of the resurrection in an earthly paradise that the bible gives. “From the power of the Grave I will redeem them; from death I will recover them.”
Hosea 13:14
The family of Maria would like to express their gratitude to everyone that has given them comfort and support during this time. In lieu of flowers please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. A memorial service will be held via Zoom at a later date.