Archives for April 2022

Cecilia Cassano (nee O’Donnell), 96, of Harrington Park, NJ, passed away on Monday, April 11th, 2022. Cecilia was a native New Yorker who grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and later raised her family in Rosedale and East Rockaway, NY. She was the beloved wife of the late Rocco Cassano and devoted mother to her five children Robert (Lee) Cassano, Dean (Carol) Cassano, Valerie (Mark) Freemyer, John Cassano and Brian (Michelle) Cassano. She was a proud grandmother to Erin, Matthew, Nicole, Connor and Owen and great-grandmother to Luca, Isabella, Ryan and Kira. She was a dear sister of the late Kay McGowan, John O’Donnell and Margaret O’Donnell.

In celebration of Cecilia’s life, a Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Victories RC Church, Harrington Park, NJ. Interment will be at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury, NY on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation in Cecilia’s memory to the Tuberous Sclerosis Association, www.tuberous-sclerosis.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Henry “Hank” Padva, 91, of NYC, passed away on Saturday, April 9, 2022. Beloved husband of 64 years to the late Cynthia Padva (nee Mazzilli). Loving father of Susan Padva and wife Jill Salvino, Tracey Schryver and husband Matt, Robert Padva and wife Jen and Rona Narkis. Adored grandfather of Gaby, Francesca, Caroline, Jake, Abby and Amanda and great-grandfather of Mathilda.

Visiting hours are Monday, April 11 from 4-7 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ (201-767-3050). Interment Tuesday, April 12 at 11:30 AM at Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, www.nationalmssociety.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Rose M. Lucerino (nee Butrico), 97, of College Point, NY since 1952, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. Rose was predeceased by her beloved husband Ernest, cherished daughter Joanne, sister Josephine Carillo and brother Pasquale Butrico. She is survived by many loving nieces, nephews and their families.

Visiting hours are Sunday, April 10, 2022 from 2-5 PM at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Fidelis RC Church, College Point, NY with interment to follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Farmingdale, NY.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Frank Barrese, formerly of Tappan, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 3, 2022 at the age of 70 after recently retiring to Hardeeville, SC with his wife Donna. 

Frank is survived by his beloved wife, Donna. Loving father of Chris and his wife Charlene, Eric and his wife Colleen and Nicole Singer and her husband Scott. Proud grandfather of Michael, Andrew, Genevieve and Addison. Dearest brother of Marie, Anthony and wife Linda and James and wife Marie.

Frank was a retired Director at MetLife. He was a devoted husband and father.  He enjoyed playing golf and pickle ball.   He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play sports.   He was everyone’s personal tech support as he enjoyed everything technology and was known to have his house set to his voice commands.  He will be deeply missed by his friends, family and all who knew him.  

Visiting hours will be held for 4 – 8 PM on Monday, April 18, 2022 at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave, Northvale NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory may be offered to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, www.stjude.org.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

JEAN MCDERMOTT, 93, adored wife, awesome mother, 
successful executive assistant and cherished friend.

Jean M. McDermott [aka Jeanne], 93, died peacefully on April 1, 2022, in Alexandria following a brief illness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12.00pm on Saturday, April 9^th, in St. Anthony’s Church, 199 Walnut St., Northvale, NJ.

Visiting will be held at the Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Ave., Northvale from 10am to 11:30am on Saturday, April 9^th.

Born and raised in The Bronx, NY, the daughter of David and Catherine Markson [Lalor], Jeanne worked as an executive assistant at the original store and corporate headquarters for Saks 5^th Avenue; at St. Anthony’s School in NJ, until it closed; atBurlington Industries, and Spartan Beverage, after graduating early from Cathedral High School in Manhattan. A quick learner, Jean skipped 3 terms in high school and earned a full scholarship to Hunter College in Manhattan where she completed 2 years.

She met her husband Jack [d, 2015] in The Bronx in 1945.

They were married on October 29, 1955, which being Daylight Savings Time weekend, gave them an extra hour to celebrate with their friends and Jack’s eight sisters and two brothers.

She moved to Northvale, NJ with Jack and their two children, John and Mary, in 1961, where she later became the secretary at St. Anthony’s School.

She relocated to Penfield, NY in 1978 in connection with Jack’s chemical engineering job at Burroughs Corporation, and she became the office manager of Spartan Beverage Company.

This role gave her and Jack access to corporate and sponsor tickets for the Buffalo Bills and various PGA tournaments, though Jeanne would never describe herself as a sports fan(except when cheering John on at St. Anthony’s and Bergen Catholic and Mary at Rosary Academy.)

Jeanne is survived by her son, John, his wife, Mary Jo and their three children, Johnny, Katie and Tara (and her husband Sean),and Jeanne’s daughter, Mary and her husband, Jeff.  Along with Jack, Jeanne was predeceased by her brother, Joey Schneider, several beloved brothers and sisters-in-law and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Church in Jeanne’s name.

Giuseppe “Joe” Gristina, age 96, of Tappan, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 1, 2022. He was born December 24, 1925 in Sciara, Italy where he met and married his beloved wife of 70 years Maria “Mary” nee LoBello. Giuseppe was the first of the three children of Rosario and Filippa Gristina. After their wedding, Giuseppe and Maria moved to New York where they started their family and life together. 

Giuseppe was wonderfully devoted to his two children the late Rosario (Russ) Gristina and his wife Josephine, and his daughter Phyllis Battaglia and her late husband Ignazio (Sal). 

Giuseppe was a loving Grandfather to Michael and his wife Karolina, Maria Villani and her husband Michael, Danielle Ferraioli and her husband James, and grandson Joseph Gristina. He is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Julianna, Luca, Margaux, Leo, and Charles Salvatore.

The family expresses appreciation to all who comforted and cared for “Joe” in his last years. Thank you to Giuseppe’s loving brother Dominick Gristina and his wife Josephine, his sister-in-law Josephine Woodley and her husband James, and his brother-in-law Piero Scatena. He is also predeceased by his beloved sister Anna Gristina. 

Giuseppe was a parishioner of St. Catharine’s RC Church in Blauvelt, New York. He was a devout Roman Catholic who cherished family get-togethers. He enjoyed gardening, his wife’s cooking, watching his Italian shows, and WWE.

Visitation will be Wednesday, April 6 at Pizzi Funeral Home from 8:00 am to 9:30 am in Northvale, NJ, followed by a 10:00am mass at St. Anthony’s in Nanuet, NY with entombment to follow at St Anthony’s Cemetery.

 In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org.