Archives for February 2015

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