Archives for January 2022

Michael John Cerbasi “Herbie”, 57, of Tappan, NY, formerly of Norwood, NJ, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. He was the beloved father of Audrie. Dearest brother of Philip and wife Joyce, Patricia Schwarz and husband Jack, Mary Louise Cerbasi and Todd and the late Bingo and his wife Janice.  Adored uncle of Joseph Cerbasi, Brian Schwarz, Kate Cerbasi, Kim Schwarz, Jennifer Moran and David Duffy. Great-uncle of Amelia, Joseph, Maya, Leo, Gabriella and Jack. Predeceased by parents Joseph Jr. and Audrey. Also survived by Suzanne Cerbasi.

Herbie was a proud veteran of the US Navy. He was a glazier for Local 1087 IUPAT in NYC. Herbie loved his family and friends, was an avid fisherman and a huge fan of The Grateful Dead.

Visiting hours are Sunday, January 16, 2022 from 2-6 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale (201-767-3050).

In lieu of flowers, donations in Herbie’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.  

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Eugene H. Tietjen, Jr. 74, of Franklin Lakes, NJ passed away on Monday, January 10, 2022. Beloved husband of Susan (nee Nacca). Cherished father of Anissa Pierro and her husband Kevin of Mahwah. Proud grandfather of Aiden and Morgan. Loving step-father of Michele Kowal, her husband Mike and children Michael and Alyssa. Lisa Lampel, her husband Jeff and children Jake, Drew and Emmie and Anthony Lanni and wife Maria. Dearest brother of Bruce and his wife Maria and Gregory and his wife Christine. He was also a beloved brother in law, uncle, cousin, godfather and friend.

Gene owned and operated Total Office Interiors in Franklin Lakes. A US Navy Veteran, he was a life member of the Northvale American Legion Post 366. Gene was a loyal fan of the NY Giants.

Visiting hours are Thursday, January 13, 2022 from 4-8 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Anthony’s RC Church, 199 Walnut Street, Northvale.

in lieu of flowers, donations in Gene’s memory may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

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)