Archives for February 2021

Marie S. McDonald (nee Savoia), 94, of Sparkill, passed away on Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Beloved wife of the late George McDonald. Cherished mother of Terry McDonald-Held, Kimberly Santucci and the late Diane Cassidy. Loving mother-in-law of Fred Held, Joseph Santucci and Michael Cassidy. Proud grandmother of Samantha Santucci, Amanda Santucci and Stephanie Held. 

Marie was preceded in death by her sister, Evelyn and brother in-law, John Kopac, her sister, Elaine Dealing, her brother, Benjamin Savoia, Jr. and her brother in-law George Favre. She will be dearly missed by her sister, Phyllis Favre and sister in-law, Barbara Savoia. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Marie was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt as well as friend.  She had been a member of the Piermont VFW Ladies Auxiliary and did other charitable works throughout the years. Her memory will be cherished by all who knew her.

A private graveside service will be held Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Lorraine Mary Hendrickson (nee Folk), 80, of Old Tappan, passed away at home on Friday, February 12, 2021. Beloved wife of the late Carl Hendrickson. Loving mother of Michael and his wife Candida, also of Old Tappan. Cherished sister of Karen Folk and Jeanne Weinberger. Dear grandmother of Nichelle, Paulie and Joshua.

Lorraine was a devoted wife, mother, sister and grandmother. She enjoyed to play tennis and go bowling with friends.

Funeral services were private.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Lorraine’s memory to the Humane Society or to the animal welfare charity of your choice.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Gertrude Giovinazzo (Haug), 80, of Bergenfield, passed away at home on Sunday, February 14, 2021.  Proud and loving mother of Tony and the late Daniel. Dearest sister of Helene, Rosa, Emma “Mimi’, Arthur and the late Rudolf, Werner and Verena.

Gertrude was a devoted mother. Always the caretaker, she came to America from Switzerland to work as a governess and cared for many families throughout her life.  She had a huge heart and enjoyed helping others. She had a great love for animals and loved hiking and the outdoors.

Visiting hours are Wednesday 5-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). Funeral Friday at 11 AM at the funeral home with interment to follow at Tappan Cemetery.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Jose Miguel Ortiz was born May 31, 1963. His mother Zunilda Ortiz and father Jose Ortiz both were married during the conception of Jose Miguel Ortiz. 

Jose Ortiz was born in Manhattan New York and moved to 2254 Cedar Avenue in the Bronx when he 8 years old. 

Jose Ortiz mother Zunilda Ortiz also raised his siblings Maria Adel Carmen Taylor and Ivan Kenneth Ortiz in the Bronx on Cedar Avenue. Jose Ortiz was the eldest of his siblings and the eldest grandchild. 

Jose Ortiz attended public school P.S 96.Jose Ortiz went off to attend Junior High School P.S 137. He then pursued his continuous education at Roosevelt High School in the Bronx. 

Jose Ortiz meet a young lady named Suzzette Thomas at the age of 17 years old. On June 19, 1982 they welcomed their first born Shanequa Shanta Ortiz. The following year on October 25, 1983 they welcomed their second daughter Tiesha Laquan Ortiz. 

Jose Ortiz became a uncle of two nieces Tabitha Taylor (1983), Shaenna Taylor (1990) and one nephew Kirt Taylor (1985). His niece Tabitha Taylor had three children Keonna M. Jennings (2000), Sharell N. Jennings (2004) and her son Tarell A. Jennings Jr(2008). Jose Ortiz brother Ivan Kenneth Ortiz married his wife Beth Ortiz making her the only sister-in-law to Jose Ortiz. 

On April 8, 2013 his daughter Shanequa Ortiz gave birth to his only grandchild Joshua  Brandon Ortiz. Jose Ortiz spent most of his adulthood living on Davidson Avenue in the Bronx. In the fall of 2019, Jose Ortiz moved upstate New York. 

Jose Ortiz was diagnosed with COVID-19 January 2021 where he was rushed to Montiforie Nyack Hospital. On  February 9, 2021 God called his son Jose Ortiz to join him in his kingdom. Jose Ortiz leaves behind two daughters Shanequa Shanta Ortiz and Tiesha Laquan Ortiz, a grandson Joshua Brandon Ortiz, a mother Zunelda Ortiz, a father Jose Ortiz, a sister Maria Adel Carmen Ortiz, a brother Ivan Kenneth Ortiz, four nieces Tabatha Taylor, Shaenna Taylor, Keonna Jennings and Sharell Jennings, two nephews Kirt Taylor and Tarell Jennings Jr. 

“For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

             -1 Corinthians 15:21-22

Sotirios D. Laios, 84, of Old Tappan, passed away on his birthday, Wednesday, February 10, 2021. Beloved husband of Ione Laios (nee Fakazis). Proud and loving father of Elena Laios and her husband Tamas Gabor of Brooklyn. Dearest brother of Effie, Nika, Yianni and the late Stefanos, Tasia and Despo. He is also survived by many cherished nieces and nephews.

Sotirios was an electrical engineer before retiring and has registered two electrical engineering patents. He loved to spend his free time in the garden, painting, and building all sorts of things for his family and friends. He had a zest for life and his memory will continue to be our guiding light. Visitation will be on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050). A Funeral Service will be held at St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church, Paramus on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 12 Noon. Interment will follow at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Spectrum for Living:  https://spectrumforliving.org/giving/  or The New York Botanical Gardens: https://www.nybg.org/join-support/honor-memorial-gifts/

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Danielle Marie Lohsen (nee LaTouche), 58, of Northvale, passed away suddenly on Monday, February 1, 2021. Danielle is the proud and loving mother of Kara Marie Lohsen and Eric John Lohsen. Cherished daughter of Peggy and the late Paul LaTouche. Cherished sister of Gerard LaTouche, Denise Simons, Paul Michael LaTouche and his wife Janet, Patrice LaTouche, Suzanne Dacuba and her husband Andree, and Robert LaTouche. She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and beloved friends.

Danielle worked as an executive assistant for Volvo in Rockleigh for many years. Always upbeat, she enjoyed music, dancing, and especially the beach. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Although the Memorial Mass is private, those who wish may participate by viewing a livestream of the mass on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM through the link below:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/danielle-marie-lohsen-funeral-mass-844954

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Henry J. Englehardt, 73, of Norwood, passed on Wednesday, January 27, 2021. Loving brother of Denise Englehardt. Beloved uncle of Robert Pineiro Jr., Tara-Marie Pineiro, Elizabeth Pineiro and Angelica Pineiro and great-uncle to Cyrus, Sylvia, Aiden and Alice. Dearest step-father of David Esola, Christine Esola, Kenneth Esola and Richard Esola. Also survived by beloved friend Terri Esola-Englehardt, Joan Knoph and many other loving relatives and friends.

Henry graduated from Northern Valley Regional High School, Old Tappan in 1965.  He attended Glassboro State College and graduated in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree in Law & Justice.  He was a fraud investigator for the insurance industry most of his career. He had been a Special Police Officer for the Norwood Police Department. Henry loved the outdoors, especially hunting and gun collecting and was a Charter Member of the Millinockett Sportsmen’s club from 1987 to 2018. Later in life, Henry focused on woodworking, making furniture and wood figurines.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Saturday, February 13, 2021 at 11 AM at Immaculate Conception Church, Summit Street, Norwood.  

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Keith Dooly “Boombaning”, age 30 of Closter, unexpectedly passed away Wednesday, January 27th, 2021 while vacationing in Mexico.  Keith was an accomplished carpenter, award-winning athlete, music and tattoo enthusiast and a true lover of friends and nature in his long-standing Boy Scout tradition.  He lived life to the extreme and fullest, finding the beauty in everything with his enormously generous heart. Unfortunately, a childhood illness compounded by Covid and his free-spirited lifestyle took him from us way too soon.

Keith was the beloved son of David and Karen Dooly (née DiBlasio) and brother to Kevin and Kris Dooly of Westwood.  He was the cherished Grandson of Joseph and Ida DiBlasio of Closter and Daniel and Mary Dooly of Westwood.  He was the treasured nephew of Linda and Bill Hanlon, Lorraine Hanlon, Diane and Paul Amodio, Dan and Barbara Dooly, Kathleen Windseth, Robert Dooly and Mikki Estok.  He will be missed by his cousins Gianna and Ashley Volpe, Vinnie DiLuzio, Danielle and Roland Velez, Jennifer and Erin Dooly, Patrick Dooly, Lisa Bourda, Adrien Dooly, Arron and Christine Windseth, and their families. He will especially be missed by close friends Eddie An and Rebecca LaPira, as well as many relatives, friends and loved ones, including Katia Lorena. 

A springtime “celebration of life” will be announced in the near future. Donations may be made to the Closter Boy Scouts Troop 63, agoranson@yahoo.com and also to the Kawasaki Disease Foundation at kdfoundation.org/donate/

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Dolores Ciffone (née Neria), 77 of Old Tappan, formerly of the Bronx passed away peacefully Sunday, January 31, 2021. Born June 14th, 1943 to William and Grace Neria. The Beloved wife of Bob Ciffone. Cherished mother of Bobby Ciffone of Old Tappan and Gina Akos and her husband John, also of Old Tappan. Proud “Minu” of her grandchildren, Niko, Liana, Briana and Alexandra. Dearest sister of the late Barbara Newell and Linda Brancati.

Dolores was a special person to a lot of people. She touched the lives of so many people, we will never know. She will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced.

Those who wish may make donations in Dolores’ memory to Hi-Tor Animal Care, Pomona NY or to the charity of their choice.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com