Luke Anthony Gervase, 88, a 60-year resident of Closter, NJ, passed away on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Beloved husband of Virginia (née Marino) for nearly 65 years. Cherished father of Laura Bonanno and her husband Christopher of Dumont, NJ, Ronald Gervase of Springfield, NJ, Richard Gervase and his husband Stuart Delery of Washington, DC, and Luke Gervase and his wife Alexandra of Warwick, NY. Proud and dedicated grandfather of Marissa (Stephen Zurich), Brittany (Will Baker), Alicia (Cameron Pierce), Michael, Sebastian, Mia, Matthew, Anthony, and Ava, and great-grandfather of Hudson. Dear brother-in-law of Madeline Gervase and beloved uncle, great uncle, and cousin to many he loved. Predeceased by his parents, Arnold (Erasmo) and Mary Gervase, stepmother Mary Gervase, his brother, Angelo Gervase, and his sister, Rosemary “Candy” Del Rey.
Luke was born and raised on the Lower East Side of New York City. He was a proud alumnus of the Boys Club of New York. Luke was a United States Marine Corps veteran and served in the Marine Corps Reserves. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Food Technology from SUNY Morrisville and worked in the food industry for most of his career, including at Lever Brothers and Nabisco. He retired in 2010 as a Senior Research Technician from Reckitt Benckiser (French’s Food Division) in Montvale, NJ after 20 years of service.
His greatest joy in life was watching his nine grandchildren progress from birth to college to careers and marriage. He worked hard to provide all his grandchildren of driving age with their first car, each of which he selected with his lifetime knowledge and love of cars. He loved raising his family on Wainwright Court in Closter where he was proud that his children could take advantage of its school system and beautiful setting. He especially enjoyed holiday traditions with the extended family; his wife Virginia’s cooking; listening to Frank Sinatra albums; dancing with the family, especially the Lindy with his wife; taking good care of dozens of family members’cars over several decades; family vacations; and befriending everyone he met.
Visiting hours are Sunday, October 19, 2025, from 2:00 to 6:00pm at Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 20, 2025,at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 199 Walnut Street in Northvale with Interment to follow at Westwood Cemetery, 23 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Luke’s memory to the National Foundation for Cancer Research (www.nfcr.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) would be greatly appreciated.
www.pizzifuneralhome.com