Catherine McGirl (Ellis) died June 12th, 2015 at age 101. Catherine was pre deceased by her husband John and son Brian. She was the loving mother of John, Margaret and Catherine. Grandmother of Kevin, Carey, John, Kaitlin, Jenny, Kevin, Caitlin and Bridget. Great grandmother of Dylan, Kailey, Kate, Rachel and Sarah. Mother in law of Eileen, Patricia and Kevin. The family will receive friends at Pizzi Funeral Home; 120 Paris Ave. Northvale, NJ. Tues 2-4 PM & 7-9PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Weds. at Sacred Heart Chapel , Sparkill, N.Y. at 10am. Burial at Calvary Cemetery, Queens, N.Y. In lieu of flowers please send a donation to The Domincian Sisters, Sister Mary Murray , Dominican Convent 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY 10976.

Louis Sheffler of Harrington Park, NJ died on June 14th. He was 65 and is survived by his loving wife Nancy (nee McGuire) and his cherished daughter, Cara Marsh Sheffler of Manhattan.  He is also survived by his sister Rose Price of Queens, and the extended McGuire clan:  Kathleen and Ted Gershon of Princeton Junction, NJ; Louise and Tom Quinn of Sparta, NJ; E. Barrett Prettyman of Washington, DC; and James McGuire and Stephen Coy of Boston, MA, as well as four nephews, four nieces, seven great-nephews, two aunts, numerous cousins, his TEP brothers, the ever-faithful “Mounties”, and a multitude of friends with whom he shared his love of wine, music, and the beach throughout his life.

After earning a degree in Hospital Administration from Long Island University, Lou was an innovator in the medical field, leaving his position as an Administrator at Englewood Hospital in 1980 to form his own medical consulting company.  Recognizing the need for specialized treatment outside of a hospital setting, he was a founding partner of American SurgiSite Centers, Inc., which owns and operates nine ophthalmic facilities in the United States.  Lou secured Medicare certification for the first free-standing eye surgery clinic in New Jersey and went on to become an original member of the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgical Society (OOSS) and has been nationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of outpatient surgery. Earlier this year, OOSS honored Lou with its first lifetime achievement award for his contributions to the field of outpatient surgery, recognizing his commitment to educational and advocacy initiatives and quality care.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that tax deductible donations be made in Lou’s name to Works & Days Quarterly, Inc, 139 Eldridge Street, Suite 2,  New York, New York 10002 (www.works-and-days.com), The Harrington Park Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 15 Kline Street, Harrington Park, NJ 07640, or the PROCURE Cancer Foundation (http://www.proton-therapy.org/)  c/o 103 Cedar Grove Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873, which provides support to proton radiation therapy patients in need of financial assistance by funding non-medical expenses associated with proton therapy treatment.   

Services and burial are private.  The family will receive visitors at their home from 5PM-9PMTuesday and Wednesday.

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Irene Maher, 80, a resident of Old Tappan for nearly 42 years, died peacefully in her home on Friday, June 5^th.  She was born April 22, 1935 in New York City,the daughter of German immigrants John and Johanna Adelmann. Irene was married for 54 years to her husband, Jim, predeceased in 2012.  She was a devoted and loving mother to Michael, married to Barbara; Kevin, married to Maria; Mary Hill, married to Gregg; Anne LaMastra, married to Steve; and Matthew, married to Molly. Irene was survived by fourteen grandchildren: James, Christopher and Sabrina Maher; Chloe, Hope and Erin Maher; Christian, Johanna and Jessica Hill; Gwyneth, Connor and Phineas LaMastra; and Allie and Megan Maher, as well as her three siblings: Albert Adelmann, married to Maria; Helen Hunter, married to John; and John Adelmann, married to Sheila.

Transplanted to Old Tappan in 1973, Irene was the epitome of “the woman behind the man,” managing the household and raising the children in unfailing support of her husband Jim. When his health declined later in life, she selflessly cared for him until the end.

Irene served her community tirelessly by volunteering with the Old Tappan First Aid Corps for over 40 years.  She was a faithful Catholic and member of St. Pius X Church since 1973, serving in many capacities, including Eucharistic minister and lector.  Most recently, she enjoyed participating in the Old Tappan Seniors Club, the Harrington Park Gardening Club, and Friday yoga and movies at the Old Tappan Library.  Irene loved Old Tappan and cherished the meaningful life-long friendships she developed with other residents of the town.

Irene was honest, loving, empathetic, and hard-working, with an iron will but a weakness for chocolate.  She was a small woman with a big laugh and, at 5 feet tall,  served as a  yardstick for comparison for her growing children and grandchildren.  Known as “Oma” to her grandchildren, she was very proud of her German heritage.  She prepared countless family meals over the years, cultivating a welcoming and joyous gathering place in her home.  Independent and active until the end, she loved to work outside in her yard, even continuing to mow her own lawn into her 80th year after breaking her hip. She was a dependable and loving constant, and a one-of-a-kind whose generous spirit will continue to live on within the hearts of all that had the good fortune to know and love her.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday at 11 AM at St. Pius X R.C. Church, Old Tappan with interment to follow at Old Tappan Cemetery. Visiting hours are Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at the Anthony R. Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Old Tappan First Aid Corps at 4 Russell Avenue, Old Tappan, NJ 07675.

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E. Vincent O’Brien, 78, of Old Tappan, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 3, 2015. Loving husband of Linda (nee Watson). Cherished father of Ned O’Brien of Washington DC, Elizabeth O’Brien married to Stephen Schiller of NY, NY, and David O’Brien of NY, NY. Adored grandfather of Christopher and Samantha. Dearest brother of Adrienne O’Brien of Teaneck. Also survived by his beloved grand-dogs, Riggins and Watson. 

“Vince” was an internationally recognized attorney and pioneer in the Alcoholic Beverage Industry for many years, most recently in the New York office of Nixon Peabody.  He was overly fond of his family, his decades of service to his clients and friends (usually one in the same), and the unmatched beauty he found in Hawaii, his favorite place on Earth. 

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale.  The family will receive friends Sunday3-6 PM and Monday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Vince’s memory to the charity of your choice.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Frank D. Rizzo, 89, of Paramus, formerly of Emerson, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, May 30, 2015.

Born December 4, 1925 in Hoboken to Italian immigrant parents Angelo and Carmella Rizzo, Frank was a self-made man. He lived his earliest years through America’s Great Depression and continued to defy the odds throughout his long and full life.  He survived World War II as a United States Army Ranger stationed in Italy, overcame Hodgkins disease in 1980, and recovered from a serious auto accident in 2005 that claimed the life of his wife of 53 years and best friend, Madeline (nee Bottichio).

In his childhood home, Frank’s first language was Italian, and he learned English when he became school-aged, ahead of brother Johnny and sister Nancy, both of whom pre-deceased him.  He attended Demarest (now Hoboken) High School, joined the Army, finished high school after the war and attended Fordham University (Class of 1951) as an undergraduate and New York University graduate school.  He embarked on a career as an analyst and later started his own firm, Forms Management Services (FMS).

On June 15, 1952, Frank and Madeline were wed, and produced six children.  Frank is survived by Charles (and Elizabeth) Rizzo, Pamela (and Robert) Hopper, Frank (and Margaret) Rizzo, Michele (and Gary) Mascolo, Madeline (and Steven) Savas, Joseph (and Deborah) Rizzo, 26 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.  He was brother-in-law to Al and Marie (nee Bottichio) DeBenedictis and uncle to Gregory and Lauren DeBenedictis of St. Charles, Ill.

In Emerson, Frank served on the town council and as the Commissioner of the Fire Department.  He was a governor at the Downtown Athletic Club, a Heisman Trophy Committee participant, and a member of the Westwood UNICO and Emerson Knights of Columbus.   He was a member of the Emerson Golf and Country Club and later Rockland Country Club.

He was beloved as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and dear friend.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Visitation RC Church, Paramus with entombment to follow at Garden of Memories, Washington Twp., NJ. Visiting hours are Monday 2-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale.

Those who wish may make donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, www.mskcc.org, in Frank’s memory.

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Angel Luis Rivero, 55, of Emerson, passed away at home on Saturday, May 23, 2015.  Beloved husband of Ana (nee Camacho).  Devoted father of Erika Petriello and her husband Joseph of Bloomfield. Loving grandfather of Abigail Grace.  Cherished son of Augustina Rivero and the late Angel M.  Dearest brother of Antonio and his wife Maritza of Warwick, NY and Norma Castaldo and her husband William of FL.

Angel was a contractor in the flooring industry.  Besides his love for his family, he enjoyed time spent outdoors, especially fishing, hunting, wood working or yard work.  He will be dearly missed.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday 10:30 AM at the Church of the Assumption, Emerson.  Visiting hours are Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale.

Dennis T. Doyle, 60, of Warwick, NY, , formerly of Northvale, NJ passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 22, 2015 after battling a long illness surrounded by his loving family. Loving father of Brendan of Carlsbad, CA and Jamie of Monroe, NY; son of the late Patricia Dunaj and the late Michael J. Doyle and step-son of the late Leo Dunaj; cherished by his brother Michael Doyle and his sisters Patricia Wullen and her husband Dan, Kathleen Nugent and her husband Michael, Colleen Beutel and her husband Jeff and Sharon Flesche and her husband Fred as well as many nieces and nephews. Also survived by his former wife and mother of his children, Roberta. Dennis was employed as a supervisor for Cablevision for over 30 years. His favorite pastimes were spent outdoors camping, fishing and taking long walks.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 6-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale. In lieu of flowers, donations in Dennis’ memory may be made to the Warwick Valley Humane Society, www.wvhumane.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Saverio T. Prunesti “Sal”, of New Rochelle, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2015 a day short of his 96^th birthday. Beloved husband of the late Anne (nee D’Onofrio). Cherished father of Anne Marie Schiano Lomoriello and her husband Luigi of Manfredonia, Italy, Linda Mangus and her husband David of Waretown, NJ, and Mary Vail and her husband Larry of Tappan. Loving grandfather of Antonio, Saverio, Marc, Eric and Alex and great-grandfather of Sara, Luigi, Paolo, Paige and Emily. Dear brother of Enis Bente, Ronald Prunesti, and Joseph Prunesi.

Sal spent his life devoted to family, community and church. He was born to Francesco and Mary Delfico Prunesti at home on Madeleine Ave, New Rochelle. A graduate of St. Gabriel’s High School and member of the parish, he also worshiped at Holy Family Church. His early musical training served him well, conducting Army bands in WWII and playing flute and piccolo at Italian feasts and with the Yonkers Pops Band. A lifelong Teamster, he later owned a Rheingold beer distributorship and worked at Redwood Nursery in Larchmont until age 81.  Sal was a past president of the Casa Calabria Mutual Aid Society and the Bonefro Italian American Club and lifelong member of the Knights of Columbus.  He was a member of the New Rochelle Human Rights Commission under Mayor Alvin Ruskin.  He taught us all how to live by his example every day.

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 Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, New Rochelle. Visiting hours are Wednesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale  NJ  201-767-3050.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Sal’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, www.pdf.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Harry G. Leggett, 80, of Tappan, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2015. Beloved husband of Mary J. (nee Prior) for 40 years.  Cherished father of Shannon Leggett of NYC and Christopher Leggett and his wife Cait of Mt. Laurel, NJ. Adored grandfather of Bridget and Caragh. Also survived by many loving relatives and friends.

Proud to be an American, Harry was a US Air Force Veteran of the Korean War.  He was a member of the American Legion Perry Post in Sparkill and was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart RC Church, Tappan. Harry was an avid sports fan, especially the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and NY Rangers. He will be forever missed and remembered for his love of family and country.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday 11:00 AM at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Tappan.  Visiting hours are Tuesday 2-4 and 7-9 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ 201-767-3050.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Harry’s memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjudes.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Robert E. Leddy, 85, of Old Tappan, formerly of Norwood, passed away at home on Thursday, May 14, 2015. Beloved husband of 43 years to Barbara (nee Brophy). Loving father of Kathy Callahan of Wayne, Kerry Malawista and husband Alan Heilbron of Potomac, MD, Carol Duffy and husband William of Sag Harbor, NY, Maryellen Hanley and husband Joseph of Martinsville, Karen Leddy and husband Michael Pilsbury of Haworth and Robert Leddy, Jr. of Wilmington, NC.  Adored grandfather of Anna, Peter, David, Billy, Meaghan, Ryan, Rhys, Jack, Ella, Ian, Myles, Liza, Emmett, Hannah, Nellie and Emma. Also survived by his brother James.  He was pre-deceased by his precious granddaughter Sarah and his first wife Helen Zastrow Leddy.

Bob and his wife, Barbara, traveled extensively throughout Europe and Asia, often bringing their large extended family along with them. Recent years have been spent doting on their many grandchildren, attending birthdays, sports events, performances and graduations. Together they created a tight-knit, loving family.

Bob was a US Army Veteran of the Korean War. In recent years he exhibited his personal photo collection from his time there, capturing the struggle of everyday Koreans.

Bob owned and operated Leddy Siding in Norwood for over 40 years.  He belonged to the National Association of Contractors and was awarded Contractor of the Year numerous times. He was the holder of several patents related to the construction industry, in particular the “Leddy Level.”

A Funeral Service will be held Friday, May 29, 2015 at 9:00 AM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale with entombment to follow at Madonna Mausoleum, Fort Lee.  Visiting hours are Thursday, May 28 from 2-4 and 7-9 PM with family remembrances to be shared at 7:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bob’s memory may be made to the Englewood Hospital Hospice Program, 75 W. Demarest Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com