Archives for May 2020

Philip C. Cheevers

July 3, 1927 – May 28, 2020

It was a hot day on July 3^rd 1927 when Phil was born at home on the kitchen table in a cold water flat on East 85^th Street in New York city, a city that was never far from who he was and the lasting impact he had on everyone in his long life.

Phil loved life and all the people he met and immediately charmed over his 92 years. His grew up in the city and the Bronx during the greatest age in baseball. A lifelong Yankee fan, he saw Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig play. He loved  Joe DiMaggio and his formidable outfield team mates Charlie Keller and Tommy Heinrich.

When the second World War called, he mis-represented his age, as many did at the time, and joined the Navy though underage, to serve in the Pacific in the Philippines.

After the war, while working as a stock boy at B. Altmans, he began dating  a young woman named Betty Johnson, a younger, sophisticated Manhattanite, unlike any girl he  had ever met. On a date at PJ Clarke’s on 3^rd Avenue Betty put La Vie En Rose on the juke box and came back to the table singing it to Phil in French. They were married for 59 years.

In the early sixties Phil and Betty were active in the Christian Family Movement (CFM) and  Phil was active in the Our Lady of Victories in Harrington Park as lector, CCD teacher, usher, volunteer, and parish council member.

During his long and distinguished career in direct marketing  he was the recipient of a Direct Marketing Association Silver Apple “Lifetime Achievement Award.”

He is predeceased by his wife Betty, who passed away in 2010.

Phil is survived by his older sister Kay Kondrat, five grown children, their spouses and 16 grand children: Phil Jr, wife Deborah and son Jackson, Anthony Cheevers, wife Melissa, daughters Alison and Emma and step-son Alex, Mary Elizabeth Cheevers ( Betsy) husband Jeff, son Daniel Wypler and wife Caitlin, daughter Jaclyn Wypler, son John Cheevers, wife Kim, sons Theo and Evan, daughters Madeline and Margeaux and Chris and Tara Cheevers with sons Joseph, and Owen and daughters Avery, Katie and Kiersten in addition to nephew Michael Kondrat and niece Carol Laspina, cousins, family friends and others whose lives he brightened.

Wherever he went and whomever he met in life they could be sure to be greeted with a big hello, a line from a song or a hearty “the Lord Be with You!” He brought a smile to everyone whenever he came into the room.

God bless you Dad you were an amazing father to us all, and to many others. Please give our love to Betty. We miss you both.

Donations in his memory can be made by over-tipping your waitress, waiter or bartender someday when you are out having a special fun time with people you love.

Fred A. Krapels, 90, of Closter, passed away at home surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, May 30, 2020. Beloved husband of Mildred (nee Cincotta). Proud father of Jill Krapels of Maywood and her partner Stephen Fogarty, Jeffrey Krapels and wife Elizabeth of Norwood and Kevin Krapels and partner Cherry Rizzo of Sparta. Cherished grandfather of six grandsons and their wives, Kevin and Jasmine, Michael and Sanja, Jack and Erin, Jeffrey and Shari, Justin and Michelle and Marc and Nicole. Adored great-grandfather of eight. Dear brother of the late Lillian and Harold.

Fred was a US Army veteran of the Korean War. He was a Vice-President at Chase Bank in NYC before retiring. Fred was a charter member of the Closter Elks and belonged to the Mr. and Mrs. Club of Closter.

Due to the current world health crisis, funeral services will be private.

Those who wish may make donations in Fred’s memory to the Sparta VFW, 66 Main St., Sparta, NJ 07871 or to CLAWS, PO Box 172, Closter, NJ 07624.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Michele A. D’Ercole, 53, of Northvale, passed away Sunday, May 24th.  Daughter of John D’Ercole and the late Maria DiMola, she leaves behind her four children, Nicole,
Michael, Cheyenne and Michele and two sisters, Adrienne and Ann.  Michele had an unique and unmistakeable presence which captivated every room she entered.  Life of the party in this life and the next.  Greatly missed, may she Rest In Peace.

James Stanley Harrison, August 29, 1935 – May 24, 2020, of Palisades, New York died peacefully Sunday, May 24^th. A prominent music educator, James was much loved by nearly three decades of students at Hunter College in New York City. He was responsible for instituting a leading curriculum for classical music theory and an educational pedagogy that many continue to employ today.

James was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Garnet Toalson Harrison and Stanley Leonard Harrison MD. A top student and athlete at the John Burroughs School, James went on to Harvard College, graduating with an AB in Music in 1957.

After completing summer studies at the American School at Fontainebleau with Nadia Boulanger, James was invited to teach at the iconic institution. There, he met Marina Biaggi. They married in 1961 and lived in France and Switzerland where their two children were born, while James worked at Fontainebleau and apprenticed with the conductor Hermann Scherchen.

In 1969 he began his tenure at Hunter College, where he taught music theory, served as Chair of the Music Department, and eventually became Dean of Arts and Humanities.

Music was ever present in James and Marina’s lives—they literally built their home of 47 years around their Steinway grand piano, which was constantly played by James, Marina, friends and colleagues.

Upon his retirement from Hunter College, James and Marina’s passion for the arts led them to co-establish the Bogliasco Foundation, a residential fellowship program for the arts and humanities in Italy. As the visionary Founding Director, James worked tirelessly to develop this new organization.

James is survived by his wife of 59 years, Marina Biaggi Harrison, children Laura and Phil, grandchildren Isabel, Lou and Eliot, sister Sue Rodgers, and cats Fannie, Celine and Leo. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that a donation be made to the Bogliasco Foundation: www.bfny.org

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

What began as an ordinary assignment for a young engineer blossomed into a career providing design and application of life-support systems for the U.S. submarine service.  This path was the foundation for life as the owner of a critical defense company and as the President of the most celebrated club in the country.

John Albert Johnson, Principal Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Treadwell Corporation, Thomaston, Connecticut, died Thursday, May 21, 2020 of natural causes in the presence of family.  He was 93 years of age.  Jack was a resident of Teaneck, New Jersey for 37 years before moving to Weston, Connecticut in 1999.

Jack was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 14, 1926 and graduated from Henry Snyder High School.  He was a combat veteran in World War II, having been drafted in 1944. He arrived in France in November of that year.  He saw action in January 1945 with the 75^th Infantry Division at the Battle of the Bulge and later in the Ruhr Valley. He served in the Army of Occupation as a Military Policeman until June, 1946.  He credited his military experience with his strong belief in a team concept, a disciplined approach to life and the ability to work within an organizational structure.

Following his return home, Jack entered the Newark College of Engineering and received his degree as a Mechanical Engineer in 1950.  His business career began with the Bureau of Ships in Washington D.C. as a Project Engineer and Manager.  It was there that he became involved with Treadwell Corporation in the development and application of high pressure electrolytic oxygen systems for installation in the U. S. nuclear submarine fleet.  He subsequently joined Treadwell in 1962 to oversee the design, production and performance of these systems, and he became owner of the company in 1993.  Though a tough taskmaster, Jack was always willing to help any employee and found any reason to celebrate a success or milestone.  Until shortly before his death, Jack actively participated in company strategies, decisions and events.  His presence is already missed.

Jack served as President of the New York Athletic Club from 1991 to 1993. He served in various committees while as a Board Member and Vice President.  Jack was very active in the Club and believed that a Board Member needed to actively support the various Intra-clubs and to attend all of the major events.  He was particularly devoted to the success of the Saturday Morning program.

Reticent and somewhat uncomfortable in a public speaking role, Jack never hesitated to engage in lively conversations with friends, no matter the subject. Jack enjoyed music of all genres, especially jazz, opera and,  surprisingly, country and western.  His interest in opera led him to see performances in several of the great opera houses in the world.  He was also an avid reader of American history and delighted in finding new stories and accounts to explore.

Jack is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary (nee’ Correll), his son Robert (Joann) of Stilwell, KS and his daughters, Carol Johnson Hermalyn (Roy) of River Edge, NJ, and Susan of New York City and his sister-in-law Earlene Correll, New York City.  His sons, John and Stephen (Gresy), predeceased him.  He and Mary have eight grandchildren, Sarah Johnson, Benjamin Johnson, Nathaniel Johnson, Michael Hermalyn (Tiffani), Andrew Hermalyn (Sarah), Matthew Hermalyn, Nicolas Johnson and Samuel Johnson and two great-granddaughters, Isabelle Hermalyn and Anna Hermalyn.  Jack will be remembered for the many opportunities he afforded his family.  He took particular delight in the education and the many accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.  The births of his two great-granddaughters brought great joy in his later years.

A family man, business owner, good friend and a patriot, Jack deeply believed in liberty, the greatness of America and the goodness and compassion of the American people.  Jack often stated his proudest accomplishments were his family, his service to the country as an Infantryman and a supplier of critical technology to the Navy, and his ownership of a successful business.  May he rest in peace and comfort.

Internment will take place in the near future in a private ceremony.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Robert (Bob) H. Ullman, 77, of Tappan, New York, passed away on May 26, 2020, surrounded by family, after a long and heroic battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Bob was born to parents Leonard and Ida Ullman, on July 10, 1942, in Manhattan.  Bob was graduated from Erasmus Hall High School in Brooklyn, New York and received a degree in Accounting from Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY) in New York, New York.

He married Lorraine, the apple of his eye in January 1967, after they met at a dance. 

Surviving Bob are his beloved wife Lorraine B. Ullman, Tappan, NY; his children Jennifer S. Ullman (Matthew D. Jones), Northbrook, IL; Joseph P. Ullman (Carolyne Harrison), Blauvelt, NY; and Liv B. Van de Graaff (Adrian Van de Graaff), New Haven, CT; two beautiful grandchildren Tyler and Abbey Ullman; his sister Sandra Mintz, and his niece and nephews.

Bob was known for being a friend to many, and lover of coffee. Bob enjoyed getting together with his coffee group locally to socialize and catch up on the day.  Bob was sighted often walking with his wife around town, especially along the Piermont boardwalk and sitting in the gazebo in Piermont overlooking the Hudson River.

Bob was a consummate volunteer all of his life. He volunteered for decades with AARP and the local libraries helping people with their accounting and taxes. 

Bob served for over 22 years in the United States Army National Guard, in the Medical Unit based out of West Point, New York.  Bob retired from the Army National Guard in 2004. Bob remarked that it kept him fit and active, while giving back to his country. 

In his youth, Bob could not resist a game of paddle ball, growing up in Brooklyn.  After moving to Rockland County, New York, Bob started to ride his bicycle, and was known to bike far distances with his good friends.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private graveside service will be held at Rockland Cemetery in Sparkill, New York.

In the future, when restrictions are lifted, there will be a life celebration for Bob at a date, time and location to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be made to any Parkinson’s organization of your choice or the family requests that you donate to The Jewish Home Family, 10 Link Drive, Rockleigh, New Jersey, 07647.  You can see their website at https://www.jewishhomefamily.org/contact-us/.  Or, please donate to a charity of your choice.

You may leave condolences and memories at https://pizzifuneralhome.com/

Brenda Dembow (nee Sanzari), 71, of Hackensack and Beach Haven West, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Richard. Cherished mother of Kathleen De Feo and her husband Robert of Northvale and the late Richard Dembow, Jr.  Adored grandmother of Brianna and Nicholas. Dearest sister of the late Benny Sanzari.

Brenda was a Clerk for the USPS in South Hackensack for many years. She liked nothing better than spending time with family and friends. She loved to take trips near and far and always loved to tell a good story. Brenda will be greatly missed by those she held dear.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 10, 2020 at 10 AM at St. Francis Church, Hackensack with burial to follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Hackensack.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Thomas R. Muller, 63, of Nanuet, NY, formerly of Ridgefield, NJ, Old Tappan, NJ and San Francisco, CA, passed away suddenly on Monday, May 18, 2020. Beloved father of Lyndsay Rose Muller.  Dear brother of Steven Muller. Loving partner of eight years to Elizabeth “Lisa” Greco. Cherished cousin of Toni Plantamura and Carla Plantamura. Thomas was predeceased by his son, Thomas F. Muller, brother, Charles and his parents, Thomas and Rose Muller.

Before retiring, Thomas was a managing director for Morgan Stanley in NYC.

Due to the current health crisis, funeral services will be private.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

It is with great sadness that the family of Christopher A. Vetere announces his passing on Friday April 10, 2020, at the age of 79. Christopher will be lovingly remembered by his wife Ann Loretta (Nardis) Vetere, adored daughters, Loretta T. Vetere of Valley Cottage, NY and Theresa M. Carullo of Montville, NJ, beloved grandson Anthony J. Carullo, dear brother Vincent Gallo (Alba), and sister Maryann Lanzano (Paul). He is also survived by several cherished nieces and nephews.

Chris was born and raised in the Bronx. He served honorably at the Westchester County Department  of Corrections, Valhalla, NY retiring as a Sergeant after 32 years. He was head of the Honor Guard and Medical Unit of Ward 29, served as a member of the Tactical Team and Transportation Department. He also was a member of the F.O.P. Mid-Hudson Lodge 188.

Chris also volunteered, for over 20 years, with the Cresskill Fire Department. He was very proud of his service to the community.

Chris was a passionate man who loved his family. He kept close relationships with his nieces, nephews, and cousins. One of his most beloved qualities was his infectious smile and he was loved by everyone. He adored his Rottie Max and enjoyed hunting and horseback riding. He will be greatly missed by everyone.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Those who wish to remember Chris in a special way, may donate to the Alzheimer’s Association of New Jersey in his honor.

Henrietta A. Will “Sandy” (nee Huber), 78, of Dahlonega, GA, formerly of Closter, NJ, passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2020. Beloved wife of Gerald H. Will. Cherished mother of Judy Niconovich and husband Eric, John Will and wife Joan and Peter Will and wife Cris. Adored grandmother of Eric Jr. and wife Amanda, Daniel, Valerie, Brendan, Natalie, Thomas and Amanda. Grandchildren’s’ significant others Addison Blackstone and Erin Skaggs. Proud great-grandmother of Emelia. Dear sister of Edward Huber and wife Grace.

Sandy, along with her husband Jerry, was a realtor for Andrew Frank Real Estate in Harrington Park, NJ for many years and was an active member of the Closter Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Ever a source of wisdom and guidance, Sandy loved her family and instilled in her children strong values that have served them well.  She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date due to the ongoing health crisis.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com