August Pairo, Jr., “Augie”, age 66 of Wayne, passed away on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 after a three-year battle with lung cancer.

Augie was born in Passaic and raised in East Rutherford until he was eleven. Then his family moved to Wayne. He was blessed with a great boyhood marked by participation in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts where he quickly moved up the ranks. When he reached his early teens, Augie and his life-long buddy Ronnie Ossi began tinkering with mini-bikes and go-carts, and when they turned seventeen, they got their driver’s licenses, bought a couple of 57 Chevys and turned them into hot-rods. Then, along with Augie’s father, they took those cars and raced them at the race tracks in Englishtown and Pine Brook.

Suddenly, Augie was all grown up and he and his classmates found themselves graduating with the distinction of being the first class to graduate from the newly completed Wayne Hills High School, Class of 1968. The following February, he promptly enlisted in the U.S. Navy. During the next four years, he proudly served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War as a bosun mate – on the USS Bell Knap – the Navy’s lead ship in her class of guided missile cruisers. For his valor and bravery, Augie was the recipient of numerous medals and commendations including the Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and Letter of Commendation. Augie was a proud American who had a sincere love for his country so, upon completion of his time in the Navy, he joined the U.S. Army National Guard where he served for the next 22 years.

Elaine Garafalo was Augie’s one and only true love! It’s interesting to note that the day Augie was born was the same day that Elaine came to the U.S.A. from Germany. Augie had no recollection of the day they met because Elaine was only three years old and he was still in diapers. You see, Elaine’s family and Augie’s aunts and uncles lived on the same street – Mitchell Street in Lodi. Maybe you could say that their “first date” was when Elaine took Augie for a ride, pushing him around in his stroller. The second date wouldn’t take place until 25 years later when Augie would return home from Vietnam and his Aunt Eleanor and Elaine’s mom would set them up for a real date. They went to the movies and afterwards out for a drink at a country western bar in Wayne. The date was good enough for them both to go on another date…..and another…..and another, until “like” grew into “love”. Then one day, Augie hurt his finger in a vice at work. He received medical attention, then got a prescription to manage the pain. From there he went to meet Elaine where she worked. By the time they got home to Elaine’s mother’s house, thanks to the drugs, Augie was feeling no pain. During the course of ensuing conversation, he held up his hand and said something to the effect of” getting married.” Elaine then turned to her mom and said, “Did Augie just ask me to marry him?” She then turned to Augie to ask him the same question but, before the words could come out of her mouth, he passed out. Six months later and a week after her birthday, he bought Elaine a ring. They married on Sunday, April 11, 1976 at Most Holy Name Church in Garfield. A gala reception followed at The Princess in Lodi, then a honeymoon in Aruba. Forty awesome years later, their wedding anniversary was the day before Augie passed away. The other morning when Elaine came to visit him, she wished him a happy anniversary. Lying there, with little energy left, he puckered his lips to kiss his beloved bride for one of the last times. Elaine described their loving marriage of forty years as exceptional!

During those 40 years, they initially lived in an apartment in Lodi for seven years. In 1983 they bought their first house in Lodi. That was home until 1995 and during those years they joyously welcomed their son Michael into their lives. They moved to Wayne where they’ve lived for the past 21 years.

After four years in the Navy, Augie settled back into civilian life. He worked some odd jobs until his mom suggested that he pursue full-time work at William Paterson College. He began work there in 1973, transferred for a short time to another government job in a mechanic pool in Newark, then returned to William Paterson College where he ultimately became a facilities supervisor and logged a total of 39 years before retiring in 2012. During that time, the college name was changed to William Paterson University. Augie was well-respected by his co-workers and loved his work.

Augie was a man who possessed a wide and varied array of interests. He was extremely gifted with his hands. His wife Elaine described that talent by saying “Augie had gold in his hands.” That love he had for working on engines didn’t fade away with his childhood. In fact, quite the opposite happened as he got more serious about building and racing go carts well into his adult life. These were serious go-carts that could attain speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. It seemed Augie could do anything. Whether it was designing the kitchen in his home or creating a beautiful landscape scene for his front yard, he accomplished much in his quest to satisfy his creative hunger. When his son Michael was attending school at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church it was Augie who was called upon to create a spaceship-themed promotion to help increase enrollment at the school. When Michael got to high school and started playing for the football team, it was Augie who came up with the design for truly creative and innovative refrigerator magnets with the Wayne Hills Patriots name and logo. His artistic talents were used for other applications too, like collaborating with Michael on a tattoo design in memory of Elaine’s father and, on the lighter side, he was a cartoonist who especially enjoyed creating cartoons of ugly monsters – the uglier the better!

Work or play makes everyone tire and Augie was no exception, so when he was too tired to create but not tired enough to sleep, he liked to jump on his 1980 Harley Davidson Sportster 1000 and go for a ride or hop aboard his 16-foot boat, which was primarily kept at the summer home in LBI, and go for a cruise. When he and Elaine celebrated their tenth anniversary in 1986, he surprised her with a trip back to their honeymoon destination in Aruba. They loved it so much that they bought a time-share there and returned annually for the next 26 consecutive years. Augie loved to escape there enjoying Aruba’s ocean, peace and calmness, as well as the food, casinos and many friends who also visited the same week every year.

Throughout his illness, it was his faith that sustained he and his loved ones and so his life will be celebrated and remembered with a mass at his home parish – Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Wayne. Surely he will be missed but will be remembered for his great sense of humor, zest for life, service to others and love and devotion to his family and friends. Until we meet again, God’s blessing Augie!

Augie is survived by his beloved wife Elaine; his dear son Michael of Wayne; his sister Linda Tolerico (Pairo) and husband Joseph of Wayne; his sister-in-law Marietta Garofalo of Lodi; nephews: Joey, Jimmy, Steven, and Michael; his best buddy of 55 years: Ronnie Ossi of Vernon; and his cousins: Marylou, Dwayne, Beth, Arlene, Dean, Bev, Michael, Irene, and Bill.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Augie’s memory are asked to consider The American Lung Association, 1031 Route 22 West, Suite 203, Bridgewater, NJ 08807.

Bernhard, Spoelstra, Sr., age 89, of Boynton Beach, Florida, formerly of North Haledon, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 20, 2016.

Ben was born and raised in Leeuwarden, The Netherlands, he immigrated to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1952 and then moved to Midland Park, NJ in 1958.

Ben is survived by his loving wife, Aafke (Alice) Spoelstra (nee Minkema) of Boynton Beach, Florida, his son Fedde (Fred) and wife Susan of Wayne, his daughter Margaret and husband Dennis Jurjens of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, his son Frank and wife Beth of Oakland, and his son Bernhard, Jr. and wife Sharon of North Haledon; six grandchildren; Andrew, Heather, Keith, Lauren and fiancé Kurtis Paquin, Bernhard W. and his wife Sara, and Kelsey. He was predeceased by his great granddaughter, Hannah Grace. In addition, he is survived by his brothers Peter and Dirk of New Zealand, brother Klaas and sister Saakje of The Netherlands, sister Margaret IJzerman and brother Fedde of Canada. He was predeceased by his brothers William and Koos.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Foundation for Eastern Christian School, 50 Oakwood Ave, North Haledon, NJ 07508, would be appreciated.

Barbara Louise Callan, age 87 of Wayne, died peacefully on Thursday, September 29, 2016. She had lived in Wayne since 1961.

Barbara grew up in Brooklyn, at 243, 52nd Street in the Bay Ridge section. She was the youngest of four girls in her family. On one particular day in 1946, Barbara’s cousin, who was serving in the Navy! , stopped by to see his aunt and cousins. He brought a fellow sailor along named William Callan. From the moment Barbara met Bill, sparks began to fly. They fell for each other very quickly and on July 24, 1948 they were married right there in Barbara’s home where they had first met. A honeymoon to Washington, D.C. followed before they settled in Brooklyn. Eventually in 1961, they moved to Wayne where they have lived ever since.

Over the years, Barbara worked at Plains Pharmacy, and Droste Chocolate as a bookkeeper, but her greatest joy was volunteering in the Maternity Ward of what was then the Greater Paterson General Hospital, now St. Joseph’s of Wayne.

Barbara was in the nursery photographing the new babies. She also worked with a large group of volunteers to knit all the little caps that went on the babies and her family recalls stacks of these cute little caps in their home. She logged more than 8000 hours as a volunteer there and endured all the ownership changes the hospital went through during those years. She was recognized several times over the years as one of the top fundraisers for the hospital and she enjoyed all of her years there.

At home, Barbara was a terrific homemaker and a “fantastic” cook. She could make everything and anything to perfection and her Irish Soda bread is the absolute best! Her sweet pumpkin pie was among her best desserts, but they were all pure perfection. Barbara also took a unique approach when she decided to quit smoking. When the urge to light up came to her, she would go for a walk around Packanack Lake instead. On some days the urge was pretty strong and she would walk around the lake five or six times! She wore holes right through the bottom of her sneakers! But her method worked and she was able to kick the habit and get herself in good shape at the same time. Sadly, she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at just sixty years old and endured for more than twenty eight years with the disease. Watching her slip away a little at a time was painful for her family, but they fawned over her endlessly. Bill would visit her daily in the nursing home and he had dinner with her every night, even feeding her himself when she no longer could. He exemplifies what true love looks like and he will miss her dearly.

Barbara is survived by her loving husband William of Wayne, by her three children; William F. Callan and his wife Jo Ellyn of W. Springfield, MA, James P. Callan and his wife Laura of Brandon, FL, and Barbara K. Callan of North Haledon, NJ, two grandsons; Shawn P. Callan of W. Springfield, MA, and Corey R. Callan of Hackettstown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara’s memory would be greatly appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834-1365.

Bessie Chianese, age 96, of Wayne passed Saturday, March 12, 2016.

She was born in the Manhattan, New York on 102nd Street and raised on Wheeler Avenue in the Bronx. She graduated from Saint Helena’s High School in the Bronx with the Class of 1937.

Bessie met a cute man named Anthony Chianese through her father. Anthony would walk his dog past their home and he would stop and chat with her father. They married on April 13, 1941 at Blessed Sacrament Church in the Bronx. They honeymooned at the famed Mount Airey Lodge in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and enjoyed fifty-two years of a loving and seemingly effortless marriage before Anthony’s passing in 1993.

In the early 1950’s Anthony bought property in the wilderness, according to those in the Bronx, known as Oakland, New Jersey. He, with the help of his brother’s, built a family home complete with a bomb shelter at 19 Pawnee Avenue in the township. They lived in Oakland, where they raised their daughter Rita. They then moved to Wayne for twelve years, before moving to Century Village in West Palm Beach, Florida for their retirement years. A few years after Anthony’s passing Bessie moved Wayne, New Jersey where she has lived with her daughter Rita for the last twenty years.

Bessie was a quiet, caring person who up until a week before her passing was completely self-sufficient. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting sweaters for family Christenings, reading Stephen King books, and kept her mind in tip top shape with word find books. She loved to cook and massive family meals at their Oakland home, where all Bessie and Anthony’s Bronx based family would gather on weekends and holidays, will forever be fondly remembered. Her special touch in the kitchen, where meatballs with raisins, braciola, artichokes, meat loaf, and pork chops were lovingly made, will be greatly missed. Bessie was always fastidious about her appearance, dressed to the 9’s, and had a standing Saturday hair appointment for as long as anyone can remember. She was blessed to have two cousins known within the family as aunt “Vi” and aunt “Geri” who were a huge part of Bessie’s life. They were both considered more like sisters than cousins to Bessie and will always be lovingly remembered. They would get together with Bessie and reminisce about the old days much to the delight of the rest of the family.

Bessie was the loving wife of the late Anthony Chianese (1993); devoted mother of Rita Carey of Wayne and her late husband William K Carey (1995); cherished grandmother of Robyn Vasquez, her husband Wilfredo, and their children Munson and Mason; much loved cousins Violet “Aunt Vi” Morano of Wayne, and Gilda “Aunt Geri” Dellaquila of North Haledon.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, 44 Middle Ave, second floor, Summit, NJ 07901 would be appreciated, www.komen.org.

Benjamin “Ben” Evan Filler, age 22 of Wayne, passed suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

Ben was born in Hackensack, NJ. Since he was two weeks overdue, he required an emergency C-section. He was born with fluid in his lungs and was placed in the NICU. He was quickly named “Big Ben” as he was almost 10 pounds and over 22 inches long. His nurse’s name was Joe Montana. That is how Ben’s adventure began.

Ben was quick to hold his own bottle at just a few weeks old. He learned to walk early. He was potty trained in like two days. He would completely undress when going to the bathroom which at times was hilarious because it didn't matter where he was.

Ben loved any kind of rescue trucks and the videos that featured them. I can’t count how many times we heard “Here comes a firetruck.... with Lenny Dave.” That must have been where his love for rescuing people came from.

Ben loved playing sports. He played baseball and football. If you asked any innocent bystander sitting next to us in the stands, I was one of the loudest moms rooting for Ben and his teammates. He made some very good friends during those times. Going to Cooperstown for little league was so much fun!

Ben was such a loving being. He always wanted to help those in need, regardless of the situation, time or consequences.

Ben had such a funny sense of humor and a quick wit. We loved to quote movie lines. Since we were heading to the airport, it was of course "Are we arriving or departing?"

As it turned out, Ben was departing. We lost our son to a horrible monster named heroin. I usually didn’t share his daily struggle with addiction but now I must. Doug and I must find a way to make some kind of change and not let our beautiful boy’s life be lost in vain. If you are struggling with addiction, reach out to a friend, parent, family or colleague. Seek professional help! There are so many resources available like Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

We will always remember our beautiful Benjamin with his amazing smile and his love for his family. He recently came back from Florida and we had the most amazing three months. His brother Matthew bought his first car and it was a dud. The first thing Ben said to Matt was, “Don’t worry, we will get one together.” He immediately began saving almost every dollar he made, and every night when he got home he would hand me his money, "Here mom, put this with the rest.” That’s the Benny we knew and loved.

He was clean for over 10 months and working hard, he had a wonderful girlfriend named Sam, and was planning on going back to school.

Benjamin, our little Benicito -- you will forever be in our hearts.

We love you to infinity and beyond. Rest in peace my sweet Angel.

Ben is survived by his loving parents Doug and Lou Filler of Wayne; he was the much loved brother of Matthew Filler of Wayne; cherished grandson of Wally and Jayne Filler of California, and Marie R. Morales; dear nephew of Brigitte Darrow of New York, Zoranne Cuadrado of New York, Gail Filler of California, and Peter Filler of Texas; he was also dearly loved by many cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers those inclined to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Benjamin Filler Memorial Fund.

Anthony “Tony” J. Froio, age 89, of Wayne passed peacefully on Friday, January 8, 2016.

Tony was raised in Totowa by his Italian-born parents, Josephine and Dominic, who also ran a salumeria (Italian grocery) out of their house on Union Boulevard. After Dominic passed when Tony was very young, Josephine continued to run the store for many years with the aid of both her children. Tony graduated from Passaic Valley High School, studied engineering at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York for his service as a radio engineer in the Navy during WWII, and completed his college education at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English.

With that background, Tony entered the work force well equipped to create and direct advertising and marketing campaigns for companies manufacturing consumer electronics as well as publications serving that industry. His long career began in the early days of television when he was ad manager for picture tubes at Allen B. Dumont Laboratories. Subsequently he worked as an executive for advertising agencies and publishers including J. Walter Thompson, Tatham-Laird & Kudner, Regis McKenna, Ries Cappiello Colwell, Penton Publishing and McGraw-Hill. On the client side, he served as advertising and sales promotion manager for RCA Corporation’s solid state division.

In these roles and in his personal life Tony won success and admiration as an astute, wise, versatile and talented man of character and integrity. Given his keen interest in technology and the well balanced visual and verbal aptitudes that he brought to all his work, it was inevitable that he became an early adopter and power user of Apple Macintosh computers. Long after he retired, his family and friends were still turning to him for help with digital design and presentation.

In his spare time Tony demonstrated quite a bit of talent in the kitchen as well, and the requests for his spinach lasagna, Bolognese sauce, pies and biscotti never stopped coming. His adopted grandchildren will always remember the pancakes he made with their initials in them, among the many ways he so often delighted them. As relentless as the clamor for his cooking and baking was his own quest for the perfect pizza.

He was the devoted father of Kathi Froio of Montclair, cherished brother of Elizabeth (Betty) Mainardi, and loved partner of Becky McAdams of Wyckoff, whose daughters and their families will always treasure his memory.

Guests are encouraged to make a memorial donation (in lieu of flowers, if desired) to a charity special to them.

Anthony Frank DeLuca, III “Tony”, age 43, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, December 4, 2016 at Chilton Hospital, in Pequannock, NJ.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he spent a good part of the formative years of his life in the Kings Acres neighborhood of Stuyvesant, NY, graduating from Ichabod Crane High School, Valatie, NY, with the Class of 1991.

Tony met the love of his life, Kelly Secovnie, when he was eighteen years old. He started working for her family’s business - Treatz Eatery in Valatie, NY, as a cook. The restaurant served burger and ice cream fare and was situated in the perfect location – right across the street from Ichabod High School. Consequently, it catered to the teenage palate quite well and was a regular hangout for that age group. Kelly had been working there since she was twelve. The two became good friends and maintained that friendship even when separated by the pursuit of college degrees. Tony went off to Poughkeepsie, NY to earn his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Technology at Marist College. After college, Tony’s first job was with Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, NY, where he worked until 2002.

Tony and Kelly didn’t have their first official date until December, 2001. This was soon after the calamitous events of 9/11. Those who know and love Tony understand the way that event led him to make a conscious effort to call all those in his inner circle to express his love and appreciation for their friendships. One of those who got the call was Kelly. It was actually Kelly who, based on an epiphany, called Tony that one day in December to ask him out. You see, Kelly had a dream that, based on the events of 9/11, she was seeing a therapist. In her dream that therapist told her that Tony wanted to ask her out. She acted on that dream and their first date was to Crossgates mall, where they saw a movie together, after a dinner at a local restaurant.

A mutual loving relationship developed which saw the couple moving twice so that Kelly could pursue her graduate work – first to the University of Kansas to get her Master’s degree and later back to the University at Albany in Albany, NY for her Ph.D. While in Albany, Tony began a new job as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the organ transplant lab with Albany Medical Center. They had a brownstone apartment on State street in Albany for several years and actually broke up in 2007, but about a year later, Kelly had realized how foolish she had been to pass up the opportunity to be with the person that knew her better than any other and still loved her. She secretly arranged to propose to Tony on his birthday in the coffee shop in Hudson New York that had been his previous apartment with longtime friend Gene Gierka. Tony said, “maybe.” A few months passed as Kelly went to Africa as part of her Ph.D. studies. Returning in late August, Tony and Kelly headed for a weekend in Bar Harbor, Maine to reconnect. While there, Tony proposed to Kelly, presenting her with a beautiful ring of an opal (Kelly’s middle name) surrounded by diamonds. They always referred to this event as their re-proposal. They married on October 10, 2009 and honeymooned in Cancun, their first trip abroad together. To accommodate Kelly’s new job in Manhattan, they moved again, this time to Jersey City where Tony took a job as an IT Analyst with Mount Sinai Health System (formerly Continuum Health Partners), based in New York City.

In 2012, Tony and Kelly received one of life’s greatest gifts when they welcomed their first child, Malcolm. After living for a short time in Union City, they purchased their first home in Lincoln Park where they’ve lived for the past three years. In 2015, they welcomed their second child, Evelyn and felt that their family was complete.

Family life was a challenge and a joy all at once to Tony, as he balanced his role as a father with his increasing responsibilities at work as an IT Manager at Mount Sinai. This past October, Tony and Kelly celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary with a get-away trip to Mystic, Connecticut, where they mainly caught up on some much-needed sleep and managed to play a poker game with the innkeepers and their friends. Tony played his usual tight aggressive style, and only lost a small portion of his money.

The bedrock of Tony and Kelly’s relationship was always based on a pursuit of genuine friendship. Even after the children were born, they were mutually committed to making sure to carve out time for recreation and rejuvenation. Consequently, every-other week they went on a date night. Tony loved those nights, filled with simple things like seeing a movie together followed by good conversation. This was always a welcomed event, and taking a break from changing diapers, getting up for the children in the middle of the night as well as dedication to doing his share as breadwinner, was important. A self-identified feminist, Tony and Kelly’s marriage was not defined by traditional gender roles. Instead, they embraced a philosophy where both negotiated all of life’s responsibilities so as to respect the strengths of each partner. Kelly loved gardening and landscaping, for instance, and Tony hated all that outdoor maintenance. They made a deal about Kelly doing all the outdoor work. Tony, for his part, was an excellent and patient teacher to Malcolm and Evelyn in the art of making a good pancake on a Sunday morning, bright and early, and always managed to keep an eye out for the many items Kelly would lose.

Tony was a great father who craved hugs, kisses and snuggles from Malcolm and Evelyn. Yes, he could get a little curmudgeonly occasionally, and his nickname at Christmas time was “The Grinch,” Anyone who knew Tony well knew that he was a devoted father and spouse. Even when Tony was pushed to the limits by his kids, he’d always apologize to them if he was wrong, making sure they knew how much he loved them. He tried to be a great dad and was always open to learning and becoming a better person.

Tony was an avid gamer. He especially loved playing World of Warcraft and had been playing as far back as when the game was released in beta. That love of fantasy spilled into the consumption of words on the page too – specifically in the form of books from J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. He possessed a general knowledge of pop-culture and loved to engage in conversation with family and friends about movies, television shows and books. More recently, he loved games like Hearthstone and Diablo. He also played Dungeons and Dragons with a group of friends often, as well as the game D & D Attack wing, which he patiently taught to Malcolm, as they “played dragons” together. He shared with Kelly and many members of her family, a love of board games. Most recently, over Thanksgiving a group of siblings and friends played King of Tokyo together, which Tony won with his sharp yet under-the-radar use of cards. As Kelly’s siblings grew up from young ages with Tony as a part of their family life, he was more like a brother to them and a cherished member of the Secovnie family, with nieces and nephews who looked up to him and felt connected to his sweet presence.

Tony grew up with a very close-knit community of friends from King’s Acres and beyond. Most recently, they convened in Las Vegas for the marriage of his long-time friends Kenji and Nicole. He always cherished his friendships with “The Boys” from his childhood in Kings Acres and, despite the distances from them in miles, they remained close and would get together for poker games. His family was also very important to him, including his mother, Jean DeLuca and Maryanne Wood. He was also a beloved uncle to Rita and Tiffany Wood, his nieces, and was the apple of his late father’s eye.

Tony will always be fondly remembered for his sensitivity, loyalty, empathy, and loving nature. He will be greatly missed and touched the lives of many people through his willingness to give of himself for those he loved.

Surviving are Tony’s beloved wife Kelly Secovnie; two treasured children: Malcolm and Evelyn Secovnie DeLuca; dear mother: Jean DeLuca (nee Stroming) of Hudson, NY; one sister: Maryanne Wood of Hudson, NY; and his sisters-in law and brothers-in-law: Tracey and husband Tim Rheingold of Latham, NY, Ezra and wife Sasha Secovnie of Jerusalem, Israel, Adam Secovnie of Poughkeepsie, NY, Abby Secovnie of Brooklyn, NY, and Hannah Secovnie of the Bronx, NY. Tony was also a beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his dear father Anthony F. DeLuca, II.

Those planning an expression of sympathy in Tony’s name are asked to consider a gift to help with future college expenses for Evelyn and Malcolm by going to Ugift529.com (enter the Ugift code: N7S-B6D), or to an emergency fund that has been set up to help offset immediate, unexpected expenses at gofundme.com/Anthony-F-DeLuca-III-Memorial-Fund.

August "Gus" J. Heisler, age 92, of Wayne and Saint Augustine, Florida, passed peacefully on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

August “Gus” Heisler, Jr., age 92, of St. Augustine, FL and formerly of Wayne, died on Saturday, February 13, 2016. His passing was one day before Valentine’s Day and his family can’t help but think that he just wanted to be reunited with his special valentine – his beloved wife Shirley May. She passed away just one month before him on January 14, 2015.

Gus was born and raised in Clifton. While attending School Number 11 on Christie Ave., he met Shirley Weber for the first time. He was immediately struck by her beauty! While she was playing hop-scotch with some other girls on the playground, Gus tried to get her attention by bopping her in the head with a stone. Needless to say, this was not a great idea and it ended up with a meeting between Gus and Shirley’s parents – Mr. and Mrs. Weber. Poor Gus’ plan to make an impression ended up with the opposite kind of an impression he was shooting for. Their paths parted when Shirley moved to Nutley, but they would someday cross again.

As a young boy, Gus learned the value and satisfaction received from a well-disciplined, hard working life style. Every day, when he got home from school, he did his homework, peeled the vegetables for that night’s supper, and then went to work in his dad’s tool and die shop – Heisler Machine and Tool Company.

Upon his graduation from high school Gus worked for his father before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May of 1944. In the beginning of his service time, he was stationed in Portsmouth, Massachusetts where the USS Irex submarine was being built. Upon its completion, the engineers were having difficulty getting the sub to pass its sea trials in which the vessels compressors needed to be able to reach pressures of 3000 PSI before it could be deemed seaworthy. Gus thought he knew what was causing the problem and, with the permission of the chief of the boat, he took a crack at a solution. Utilizing the knowledge, he gained growing up in his father’s machine shop, Gus was able to determine that the pistons in the compressor used to build up the pressure, were pitted. Once the pistons were repaired, the Irex passed the sea trials with flying colors. Gus fixed the problem that no one else could figure out! He was recognized and thanked for his efforts and expertise by the submarine’s captain. To Gus, the commendation was a great honor! In total, Gus proudly served for two years in the Navy until, in 1946, while in the Panama Canal, the war ended and he returned home to civilian life.

One night after the war, Shirley’s cousin saw Gus’ car at a dance club called the Cliftonia. She alerted Shirley and the two of them went to make his acquaintance. Gus was more than pleased! They started dating but Gus had a hard time getting to first base with Shirley because Fred Weber, her father was, let’s just say, not very accepting of Gus. Surely this harkened back to that hop-scotch encounter in elementary school. Not to be dissuaded by this challenge, Fred and Gus’ relationship actually started to warm up when Shirley’s father learned that Gus had a case of low brass shot gun shells. You see, that’s when these two men discovered something that they had in common - a love of hunting. A case of shot gun shells was an exciting prospect to Fred because of that love of hunting, but, with the second world war going on, shot-gun shells were in short supply. After that, Gus and Fred actually became good buddies, often hunting and fishing together on Gus’ parents farm in Callicoon, NY.

It was on that Callicoon, NY, 80-acre farm on a beautiful day in 1948 that a local pastor united Shirley and Gus into the holy bonds of matrimony. After the wedding ceremony, their family and friends helped the newlyweds celebrate with a grand reception at the beautifully restored barn with a bar from the prohibition era. They honeymooned at the nearby Olympia Hotel. They settled in under the same roof for the first time, moving into the attic apartment of Gus’ parents’ house on 3rd Street in Clifton. Gus’ father’s machine shop was right behind that house so he didn’t have a long commute to work. While Shirley took care of their three beautiful children, Gus worked in the family business. A few years later Gus’ father moved to Florida and Gus and his older brother Ray opened a new manufacturing plant on Passaic Ave. in Fairfield. Meanwhile Gus moved his family into their first home on Broad Street. Soon after that, in 1961, they moved to the Pines Lake section of a newly developing section of Wayne.

Gus and his brother Ray took Heisler Machine and Tool Company to astronomical heights – literally! They were incredibly talented engineers and it didn’t take long before the U.S. Government approached them to manufacture aeronautical parts and equipment including nickel steel alloy combustion chambers, exhaust cones for rocket engines, and the first 12 basses for the first satellite to orbit the earth, as well as stainless steel plates for nuclear reactors and test fixtures. In other words, the items manufactured by Heisler went to the moon! In self-deprecating fashion, the Heisler family joke was that Heisler stuff wasn’t worth much so they left it on the moon. A lot of that equipment will forever stay on the moon. Gus and Ray also developed a machine for the textile industry which collated, folded, and inserted ladies’ dress patterns into retail packages. They built machines and dyes that were utilized in some of the first successful hip replacements as well as machinery for the paint industry which automatically inserted preformed metal handles on paint cans. During the design and manufacturing process, an innovative concept of automatically feeding wire from a spool into a machine and then cutting, forming, and inserting the paint can handle directly on the can developed. This technology was patented as the Bail-O-Matic machine and it revolutionized packaging in the paint industry. Gus semi-retired in his sixties and retired all-together in 1992. After retirement, he and Shirley moved to St. Augustine, Florida but, even to this day, Heisler Industries remains in the family under the very capable management of Gus’ two nephews Rick and Ron Heisler. Gus was a businessman of great integrity. He was incredibly generous to his employees blessing them with holiday gift baskets with hams and holiday treats, bonuses as well as the opportunity for profit-sharing within the company. If one of them was hurt and the insurance company wouldn’t cover all the expenses, it was not unusual for Gus to cover the difference out of his own pocket.

Gus and Shirley made friends wherever they went including those at the North Jersey Country Club and when they moved permanently to Florida, they became members of the Plantation Country Club. They made very good friends within the comunity. Gus and Shirley made a great team. Together they were blessed to travel the world to destinations including Africa, Alaska, Bora Bora, all of Western Europe, in fact every continent in the world except Antarctica. For over ten years, they had the joy of taking the whole family to the Colony in Long Boat Key, Florida.

Gus was just such a loving father! His son August, III and daughters Shirley and Judy were so blessed to call him Dad. He went to all of August’s sporting activities and all of Judy and Shirley’s girl activities. He taught his son how to hunt and fish as a very little boy by putting him on his shoulders, carrying him across rivers and, while sitting in the snow, helping him shoot his first deer. Gus laughed a little when his son struggled to try and pull the deer out of the woods. Then he helped him. August also remembers caribou hunting with Dad near the Arctic Circle. The kids always looked up to him for the great example of being a hard worker and they have vivid memories of him watching television with them at night with blueprints for a job from work spread out all over the coffee table in front of the TV.

The Pine’s Lake community of Wayne was blessed to have Gus and Shirley living in their community. They were always so willing and able to help out with the annual 4th of July and Labor day picnics. They also enjoyed playing in the Thursday night bowling league at T-Bowl and the kids loved it too because they could count on that being the night Dad and Mom were definitely out – a good night for them to cut up. Gus was so incredibly outgoing no matter where he went. Always giving hugs and kisses to everyone, but Shirley never worried about Gus’ heart wandering because he loved her with such passion and sensitivity. Her Alzheimer’s never caused Gus’ love for Shirley to wain – in fact it just made it stronger. He faithfully promised to stay healthy and strong for her and he stood by her side lovingly caring for her as only the best husband could do. When she passed away a month ago, a big part of Gus passed away too. Now they got to spend Valentine’s Day together again and are reunited for eternity.

Gus was predeceased by his beloved wife of 68 years, Shirley May Heisler just a month ago on January 14, 2016. He is survived by one son: August J. Heisler, III of Ponte Verde, Florida; two daughters: Shirley L. and husband Jack Howard of Frenchtown, NJ, and Judy H. and husband Jack Morgan of Charlotte, North Carolina; eight grandchildren: Michael Ryan Holcomb, Kimberly Holcomb-Cooper, Jack Calvin Morgan, Carter August Morgan, Clayton Weber Morgan, August J. Heisler IV, Brendan Heisler and Thorsen Heisler; eleven great-grandchildren: Mackenzie, Aidan, Morgan, Rylie, Hunter, Caroline, Addison, Jack, Maddox, Charlotte, and James; and his brother Robert and wife Linda Heisler of Bernardsville and Naples, FL. He was also predeceased by his brother and business partner Raymond Heisler.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in August’s name are asked to consider the Alzheimer’s Association, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834 (www.alz.org/nj).

Anthony “Tony” P. Giordano, age 92, of Wayne, on Thursday, November 24, 2016.

He was born in Passaic and raised at 347 Harrison Street in the city. He attended Passaic local schools, graduating from Passaic High School with the Class of 1942. He was active in sports during his high school years and was an excellent football player, baseball player, and boxer.

Tony attended the Newark State College, Newark College of Engineering and was a graduate of Ryder Drafting Institute.

He honorably served in the US Army Tec 5, Trop B, 23rd Cavalry Recon Squadron, a combat military intelligence unit. He was also a weapons and topography instructor who arranged military motor convoys throughout the Midwestern states. He was a member of American Legion Post 1000.

Tony was a Master Electrician, estimator, and member of the Local 102 IBEW for over sixty-five years. He was an associate and superintendent with State Electric Co. in Passaic for forty-five years before retiring in 1990.

He was a member of the Wayne Elks Lodge 2181 for thirty-nine years serving on many committees, and served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for twenty years. He was also a member of the House Committee and served as House and Convention Manager.

He will be fondly remembered for his great sense of humor and his childlike, jump out of the closet and scare you, way. He was a perfectionist who was loving, caring, enjoyed debating politics, and gave everyone crazy nicknames. He enjoyed traveling and would take the kids on random drives that had no purpose. In his later years he would call you from his cell phone, you would ask where he was, and he would reply “in your driveway.” For many years he enjoyed Ballroom Dancing and even took lessons at Arthur Murray Dance School. He enjoyed his morning coffee with the crew at McDonalds in Wayne for several years. Tony had a soft, loving way about him the truly endeared him to all he met.

Tony was the devoted father of Patricia Sudol and her husband Ron of Toms River, Debra DiGiorgio and her husband Lex of Wayne, and Susan Lopez and her husband Ray of Pompton Lakes, and the late Joanne Martino (2009) and her surviving husband Ray of Hewitt; he was the cherished grandfather of Michelle Martino, Roseanne Gonzalez and her husband Jayson, Tina Martino, Ron Sudol, Joseph DiGiorgio, Anthony DiGiorgio, Gina Lopez, Christopher Lopez and his wife Kate, and Marissa Lopez; much loved great-grandfather of Carissa, Hayley, and Joseph Gonzalez, and Emma and Ethan Lopez; and loved brother of Frances Cancellieri of Venice, Florida. He was the loving companion of many years to the late Margaret Bingle (2015).

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the “Elks Camp Moore,” Care of: Wayne Elks Lodge, 50 Hinchman Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470 would be greatly appreciated.

Anthony M. Aquino, age 81 of Brant Beach, NJ and Bonita Springs, Fl passed peacefully at his Long Beach Island home on Monday, August 22, 2016 with th

Anthony “Tony” Aquino of Bonita Springs, FL passed away peacefully on August 22, 2016 at the age of 81.

He is survived by his beloved wife Virginia (Manzi) Aquino and loving daughter, Lauren Aquino, of Philadelphia, PA. He was the son of Concetta “Carrie” and Anthony Aquino. He had a brother, Charles, and sister Rose Crescione who both predeceased him. Tony is also survived by sisters-in-law, Nancy Aquino and Louise Tanis; nephew Leonard Tanis and his wife Ruth; nieces Jackie Adams, Linda Crescione, Margaret Aquino Fuchs, Carol Aquino Holland and several nieces and nephews.

He served as President and CEO of First Fidelity Bank in Totowa, NJ and also as President of Morris Savings Bank, Morristown, NJ. He worked his way from being a teller to CEO with First Fidelity having worked there for forty-three years. He graduated from Rutgers University and Harvard Business School. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany. Tony was a resident of Wayne, NJ and following retirement he and Virginia moved to “The Terraces” in Bonita Springs, FL. He also enjoyed their summer home on Long Beach Island, NJ for the past forty-five years. Tony was a member of the North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, NJ for many years.

While living in Wayne they were parishioners of Annunciation RC Church in Wayne having been members during the building of the church. He was a member of St. John’s Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, presently a member of Saint Leo’s RC Church, Bonita Springs, Fl. and was also a member of St Francis of Assisi Catholic church, Long Beach Island, NJ.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Heartland Hospice, 2011 New Road, Northfield, NJ 08225 or Parkinson Assoc. of SW Florida, 1048 Goodlette-Frank Rd., #201, Naples, FL 34102 (pasfi.org)

Antoinette “Nettie” M. Napoli (DeLucia) age 89, of Wayne for over sixty years, passed Friday, December 30, 2016.

She was born in New York City and when she was a child the family moved to 2304 East 14th Street in Brooklyn. She graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School with the Class of 1945. Once out of high school Nettie worked for a short time as a secretary at a Wall Street firm. She then worked in a secretarial capacity for the Java Pacific Steamship Company’s New York offices as well.

Nettie was introduced to a cute man named Nunzio “Paul” Napoli by one of her high school friends, Anita, whose husband had a friend from his military service days that was searching for a “nice girl.” They had dinner at Anita’s home and it was love at first sight. They dated for only six months before Paul proposed marriage. Nettie and Paul married on June 14, 1952 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Brooklyn and honeymooned at Niagara Falls, New York. After they married Paul and Nettie moved to Passaic, New Jersey for a short time and then settled into a home on Thomas Terrace in Wayne where they began raising their family. They had a loving and devoted marriage of only twenty years before Paul’s passing in 1972.

After Paul’s passing Nettie found herself as a single mom with three children. She quickly found work at the US Post Office in the Mountain View Section of Wayne having later worked again as a secretary for the Yardley Fragrance Company in Totowa. Nettie again changed professions and became an Independent Representative for the Nova Energy Saving Products Company in Totowa. She sold things like energy saving shower heads to commercial establishments like hotels as well as to individual consumers. Her strong work ethic and dedication to her family enabled her to provide not only food and clothing for her three children but she was also able to put them through college as well.

Nettie will be remembered as a thoughtful, generous, caring person whose delicious cannoli’s can never be duplicated. She loved dancing with her husband Paul and kept it up for many years after his passing. She also had a special place in her heart for animals. She was a long time supporter of the FOWA (Friends of Wayne Animals) and loved her two rescue dogs Patton and Trixie with all her heart. A true nature lover she also supported the Laurelwood Arboretum in Wayne for many years as well. Nettie was a long time member and past-president of the Wayne Women’s Club back when they initiated special parking consideration for handicapped individuals and began the townships recycling program. She also cherished the many friendships she made at the Parents without Partners organization in Wayne. She also loved to attend plays at the Papermill Playhouse and visits to the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City.

Nettie was the loving wife of the late Nunzio “Paul” Napoli (1972); devoted mother of Celeste Jakubek of Wawayanda, NY and her late husband Edward, Paul Napoli and his wife Roberta of Rockaway Township, and Diane Errichiello and her husband Dennis, DMD of Cliffside Park; cherished grandmother of Nicholas Napoli and his wife Paula and Michael Napoli and his wife Christina; much loved great-grandmother of Isabella, Owen, and Paige Napoli; loved sister of Liberato DeLucia and his wife Nancy of Yarmouth Port, MA, the late Louisa Sheldon and her surviving husband Herbert, and Anna Ramsey of Wyckoff and her late husband James.

Anthony Alviani, age 90, of Wayne, passed Saturday, June 11, 2016.

Navy veteran Anthony Alviani, age 90, of Wayne, NJ, passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 11, 2016.

Born premature in Sora, Italy, Anthony was not expected to survive. A birth certificate was not even issued until many days later when he beat the odds as he did throughout his entire life. At the age of 12, on New Year’s Eve 1937, he and his family arrived in New York City to begin a new life. He would often tell people the reason they called him Tony was because when he arrived at Ellis Island they stamped “To NY” on documents. They would ultimately settle in Brooklyn. As a strong willed grammar school boy he would shine shoes to make money.

After graduating from high school at the age of seventeen, determined to serve his country and with the assistance of his father, he enlisted in the Navy on September 11, 1943. He served as a Fireman First Class and much of his time was spent on the USS Shaula before being honorably discharged on April 19, 1946. When not performing his duties on board he would volunteer for anything outside or on deck. He enjoyed being outside so much that whenever he had free time he and his mates would bring their hammocks on deck so that they could swing out over the ocean. It wasn’t always glorious and relaxing and as a protective father he rarely ever spoke about the war itself other than a few times with close friends. Very few knew that his ship was one of many to visit Nagasaki weeks after the bombs were dropped on Japan. Having traveled the world from Pearl Harbor to the Philippines, one can only imagine what he saw and experienced. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

Upon discharge, he returned to Brooklyn where he became a US Citizen and graduated from New York Technical Institute of New Jersey on September 25, 1947. Entering the next chapter in his life, he began working in a factory in NYC where he met May Groner. They would eventually move back to her hometown in Pennsylvania where he met Sidney and Beulah Rohrbach, and would begin a friendship that would withstand time and remain that way for 66 years. He and May got married August 1948, in Sunbury, PA and eventually the newly married couple would move back to Brooklyn, NY where Anthony began a long career as a printer and lithographer at Field & Beattie 206-8 Fulton Street, NYC. This lasted until they moved to Montclair, NJ with their child Michael. After Marie was born he purchased his home in Wayne, NJ and began working for Rae Publishing in Cedar Grove, NJ.

Anthony lost his first wife May in 1969 after a long battle with cancer. Surrounded by family and friends, he continued to raise his children, Michael and Marie, until his mother suggested that they travel to Italy to go see family. So in 1970 they traveled to his hometown of Sora, Italy where he would eventually meet Maria Pia DeCiantis (Pia). Although you would want to believe it was love at first sight she wasn’t impressed at first. But Anthony was determined and would return to Italy just a few months later to win her over and ultimately ask her to marry him. They were married July 11, 1971 and after a honeymoon in Naples and Capri, Italy they returned to the United States. One year later Joseph was born.

Anthony and Pia were married for forty-four years. They enjoyed a very loving marriage, children, grandchildren and everlasting friendships. Often holding hands and kissing each other fondly. They were a happy couple, perhaps aided a bit by the remarkable homemade wine they crafted together year after year. They traveled numerous times back to Sora, Italy to visit family and they often visited Quebec, Canada, where more family lived. If you knew Anthony you knew that he was incapable of sitting still. You would find him fiddling around with electronics or gadgets, or taking a ride somewhere often to visit his family and grandchildren. The one thing he enjoyed the most was entertaining. He loved spending time with family and friends, barbecuing outside and joking around, and most of all playing with his grandchildren. There was nothing more important to him than family and friends.

He retired from Rae Publishing at the age of 63 and began working for the Wayne Board of Education as a bus driver for special needs children. He was able to share his love of children and caring personality to ensure the safety of the children. He truly enjoyed being around kids, often acting like one, and remained working for over ten years.

Anthony is survived by his children; Michael Alviani of Haledon, NJ, Marie Caporaso and her husband David of Wayne, NJ, and Joseph Alviani and his wife Jennifer of Fredon, NJ, seven grandchildren; David Caporaso of Wayne, NJ, Laura Caporaso of Wayne, NJ, Christopher Alviani of Syracuse, NY, Nicholas Alviani of Eugene, OR, Robert Alviani of Basking Ridge, NJ and Ryan and Peyton Alviani of Fredon, NJ. Anthony is predeceased by his father Dominico and mother Teresa (Mammone), his sister Jenny Mianulli, his wives May (Groner 1927-1969) and Maria Pia (DeCiantis 1935-2015).

Anny Kelly (nee Burgess) age 80 of Bloomingdale passed away peacefully on February 16, 2016 with her family around her.

Anny was born and raised in the town of Rimouski, in the Quebec Province of Canada. She lived there until she was about 18. After completing her nursing degree she moved to Toronto for her first job as an RN. After a stint in Toronto she and a friend took a job offer in Vancouver and then eventually made the decision to move to America, first in San Francisco and then Los Angeles California. In Los Angeles she met her future husband Robert Kelly. Robert Kelly CPA was living in the same apartment complex as Anny, so they started out as neighbors. They eventually fell in love and in November of 1963 they were married.

Shortly after they were married they moved to Las Vegas where their sons Michael and Stephen were born. They then moved to Scottsdale, Arizona for a short time before deciding to move back east to be near Robert’s family in Mount Kisco New York, it was here that their daughter Judy was born. After a number of years, Robert’s company, Western Union, relocated to New Jersey and so did the Kelly family, settling in Wayne in 1972 and staying there for the next 30 years. In Wayne, Anny was a busy mother of 3 children but once they had grown she decided to return to nursing and worked as an RN at the Lakeview Nursing home for 10+ years until she retired.

Anny was an avid tennis player. Both Robert and Anny loved playing cards and were members of a local Bridge Club. She also loved taking trips to Rimouski and Quebec City Canada to visit with her family every summer. Out of all her interests and passions, Anny’s greatest devotion was to her family. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. Anny touched the lives of many people and will be missed by everyone who knew her.

Anny is survived by her daughter Judy Kelly of Bloomingdale; her son Michael and his wife Natalie of Lincoln Park, and Stephen and his wife Renee of Summit and five grandchildren Erin, Emily, Katherine, Stephen, and John. She was predeceased by her husband Robert in 1996, and more recently by her two sisters Dorothy Gagne and Judith Burgess.

In lieu of flowers, friends may consider donations to Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research Church Street Station, attn. Tribute Gifts PO Box 780 NY, NY 10008-0780.

Anita M. Welling (nee Plisko) age 59 of Wayne passed peacefully at home on April 4, 2016 surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Kearny to the late Leo and Pauline Plisko.  She was raised in Lyndhurst and graduated from Lyndhurst High School with the Class of 1975.

Anita worked as a secretary in the Psychology, Political Science and the Classics and General Humanities Departments at Montclair State University where she worked for over thirty-five years before retiring in 2016.

She was an animal lover since she was a little girl.  Over the years she has usually had multiple pets at the same time and currently had two dogs and two cats.  Anita loved to travel and has been to many National Parks including: Zion, Brice Canyon, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone.  She and John have also been on several cruises together and she especially enjoyed a cruise to Alaska with extended family.  Her backyard garden of herbs, spices, and tomatoes were all used, in her cooking, often after one of her many cooking classes that inspired fantastic gourmet meals.  Many will also remember her love of playing Bingo and her many trips to the casino.

Anita was the loving wife of thirty-five years to John Welling. They initially met saying “how are you doing” to each other while they were both working at Montclair State University. After a first date to the movies they would fall deeply in love and marry on October 3, 1981.  They married at Saint Michaels RC Church in Lyndhurst and honeymooned in Bermuda. Anita and John were blessed with a daughter Lauren Welling who lives in Wayne.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, PO Box 27106, NY, NY 10087-7106 would be appreciated.

Alice Giemza, age 88, of Wayne died on September 8, 2016.

Alice was born in Old Forge, PA and had been a resident of Wayne for many years.

Alice is survived by her dear sister Elaine and husband James Turner of West Chester, PA, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband John F. Sobczak in 1954, her second husband William A. Giemza in 2000, her son John Sobczak in 2016, and two brothers: Chester Terplewich and Clement Terplivetz.

Angelo G. Maas age 77, born in Newark on March 4, 1939, formerly of Nutley, moved to Wayne 20 years ago, passed Monday, October 3, 2016.

He graduated from Belleville High and earned a BA in Business in Mechanical Engineering at Rutgers in 1973.

He proudly served in the National Guard from 1957-1965.

He spent much of his career in sales and marketing of heavy equipment and construction vehicles for Foley-Towlift Caterpillar in Piscataway, winning many local and regional sales contests. He won a magical all-expense paid trip to Las Vegas for selling the most Heino class trucks. He invented a rotating clamp and authored a repair manual. Angelo was a car buff who loved working on cars, engines, and guessing the age of a movie by the cars in the film.

God granted Angelo many gifts. He had a photographic mind, amazing memory, and incredible ability to figure out how things work. He was intensely focused and persevering. There was nothing he couldn’t fix or repair. He was always in the service of others, using himself wisely.

Angelo’s mother died at an early age when he and his brother were very young. Life was tough for them but they grew up strong, loving, and kind. Angelo believed he had to accomplish things in life so he could live a life his mom would have been proud of.

When Angelo and Lucille first went to the church to meet the minister who married them, the doorbell was broken. Angelo had to repair it before he returned home! When they first met he couldn’t believe Lucille used to pay someone to install her 2 window air conditioners. He showed her how simple it was and the correct way to hang mirrors and pictures! He was always encouraging Lucille to be strong and independent.

The first time he met Lucille's parents they had dinner at their home.  They discovered the basement had flooded. Angelo sprung into action to figure out a water pipe had a worn out part so he made a washer out of a vinyl placemat. He also proceeded to mop the whole basement floor and make sure it was clean and dry.

When they were first dating, Lucille's brother’s car was to be delivered to my parent’s house.  Lucille planned to spend the night waiting for this delivery as to not inconvenience her parents. What a surprise to see Angelo knock on their door and offer to stay up and watch for the delivery so Lucille and her parents could go to sleep.

When his daughter Kathy was a little girl, she wanted an actual swing in her bedroom, her dad worked diligently on making sure her wicker chair would swing safely from her bedroom ceiling.  

One morning, driving on Route 80 to school in Teaneck, Lu’s car hit a hole that caused a tire to leak. She just made it to school. During the day, Angelo drove to where she parked, picked up the car, had the tire fixed at the dealership and returned it to school so she could drive it home safely at the end of the day.

When Lucille and Angelo were married he had a beautiful brick house built in Wayne to accommodate her elderly parents and their health needs.  They had companions and health care aides coming in and out of our home 24/7. It wasn’t easy caring for 2 ill seniors and work full time. He always said if he had to do it over he would do it again.

Angelo used to work for the Nutley Dept. of Parks on Saturdays. He maintained the town’s trucks, buses, and fire and police cars. Sometime in the early sixties, during a winter storm, he notice a car parked near the Nutley exit with an elderly woman at the wheel. He happened to pass by her a second time about an hour later. He stopped to help her, brought her to the town garage, made sure she was warm, called her son, towed her car and repaired it. She told him no one wanted to help her because she didn’t have cash; just a checkbook. Turned out her son was a Newark judge.

Angelo was meticulous about the way he kept and maintained his homes and cars. Everyone wanted to own his car after he returned a lease. The person who inspected his Wayne home commented that he never had such a perfect home inspection.

He was a licensed realtor and co-owner of Centre Realty in Nutley, and later, worked for Cedarcrest Realty in Caldwell. Angelo was president of AC Power Equipment Company and had been a major accounts manager for Foley-Towlift and Truck, and sales manager of Malouf, Stadium Meadowlands Ford, and Hawthorne Truck companies. For a time he was also a salesman for Brogan-Cadillac.

He is survived by the love of his life, Lucille (Amorosi) Maas. He is the proud father of daughter, Kathy Pawlikowski (Mark) & their children Kate, Alex, & Steven; son, Bob Pellechio ( Lauren ) & their children, Bobby, Nina, Samantha & Jessica.

He was predeceased by his parents, Geraldo Maas, and Minnie Suppa and his stepmother, Christina DiTrolio.

He is a devoted brother to Gerald Maas and Diane. He is a loving uncle to John (Terrilyn), their children Christopher and Nicholas, and Anthony (Jennifer) & their children Joey and Julianna, and his lovely niece Angela.

Angelo leaves behind devoted cousins, his Aunts Angie and Marily, and cherished friends and neighbors.

Angelo was the go-to-guy. He was a brilliant trouble shooter and creative problem solver who loved win-win solutions. If someone needed help putting up a garage door, building a basement, or negotiating a great price on a vehicle, they called on Angelo.

He was fearless and dependable. His word, or his handshake, was his bond. He believed we were capable of any accomplishment.

No task was too tall or challenging for Angelo. Once he acquired a house at a great buy and orchestrated its move on wheels, from one side of Nutley to another with a hitch.

His favorite saying was, “Give man a chance, man can do anything!”

Angelo was courageous, bold, and funny. He loved playing racquetball, golf, and visiting Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. He enjoyed fixing anything mechanical from a fire truck to a pencil sharpener. He loved westerns, classic films, music and being the best husband anyone could ever have.

Those inclined to make a memorial donation in Angelo’s memory are asked to consider St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or the Shriners Hospitals for Children.

Anne P. Snyder, of Monroe Township and formerly a long-time resident of Wayne, entered into her eternal life in heaven after spending one-hundred years on this earth, on Sunday, February 7, 2016.

Born in Paterson in 1915 when Woodrow Wilson was our U.S President and a first class postage stamp cost only two cents, she attended kindergarten through fourth grade at Paterson School Number 17, then fifth through eighth grade at Paterson School Number 12 and high school at Paterson’s Central High School where she graduated with the Class of 1934.

After high school Anne set her goal on become a registered nurse, and enrolled in the Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing in Paterson and graduated in 1937.

Anne met her beloved husband George as a young nurse, taking care of George’s mom. There’s was a true love so they exchanged their wedding vows before God, family and friends at St. Paul’s R.C. Church on Haledon Ave., in Prospect Park on Saturday, October 15, 1938.

After the wedding Mr. George and Mrs. Anne Snyder initially lived in Prospect Park. The later moved to Paterson on North Ninth Street where they were blessed with and had the privilege of raising two dear sons – George A., and Laurence. Anne took care of her little sons while continuing to maintain a career in nursing. When the boys were in elementary school she worked the eleven PM -to-seven AM shift at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Paterson. She’d be home, just in time to get them off to school. Then she’d sleep and be up and ready to be there when they got home in the afternoon. George and Larry enjoyed great memories of Mom taking them ice skating on Oldham Pond in North Haledon and on many trips as a family down the Jersey Shore, to Washington D.C., or to other destinations like Gettysburg, Valley Forge, Cape Cod and even Canada. When the family moved to Wayne in 1959, it felt like they moved out to the country. Anne and George soon got involved in a new church that had just opened its doors in Wayne. That church was Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church on Valley Road. Ann was very devout in her Christian faith and she attended daily mass with George and kept many of the church’s home-bound parishioners up to date by volunteering to deliver them the weekly church bulletin. She also served in the Rosary Society at St. Paul’s Church in Prospect Park.

The bulk of Anne’s career was spent working for Doctor Michael L. Keller, an OBGYN whose office was located on East 27th Street in Paterson. She loved assisting Doctor Keller and caring for the many moms and their little newborn babies that would come to the office. She made beautiful photo albums of all the little ones and to Anne, her days at work never felt much like work. She loved those little babies as if they were her own. She worked for many years until retiring in the 1960’s. Anne was also a proud member of the Saint Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing Alumnae Association.

In 2005, after forty-six years calling Wayne their home, Anne and George moved to Monroe Township. Anne transitioned very well to independent living at Monroe Village Retirement Center where she continued to swim in the pool several times a week, right on up to her hundredth birthday and beyond, finally giving it up only a few months ago. She and George enjoyed some great retirement years, traveling in their motor home with their friends in the Good Sam’s Club right on up until they were eighty-five years old. In those years, they logged tens-of-thousands of miles as they traveled through and stayed in almost all of the state’s east of the Mississippi River.

Anne really enjoyed time spent in her kitchen cooking and baking. Her son George said his favorite meal was Anne’s delicious pork roast, and her baking skills weren’t too shabby either. Ask the numerous neighborhood kids who would stop by for one of Anne’s fresh-baked cookies or a slice of cake and they’ll tell you how good her baking was. Anne loved it when they would come to visit her! Her own grandchildren and later in life, her great-grandchildren, were the apples of her eye and she couldn’t wait to go visit them in Virginia and a little bit closer to home in Milltown, NJ.

Ann had a great outlook on life. She would always say, “If we hang our problems on a line, you’ll take yours, and I’ll take mine.” In other words, she knew that no one escapes challenges in this life, and when we see each other’s struggles, we realize ours aren’t so bad and we are happy to handle the ones we have with the help of God our Father in heaven. She was a loving and upbeat lady who was friendly to all and seemingly born to bless and serve others – it was her pleasure!

Anne and George were blessed with seventy years of marriage until George’s passing in 2008. The family held a huge celebration for that 70th anniversary, much like they did for the 50th anniversary at the Brownstone House in Paterson and the 60th anniversary at the Paris Inn in Wayne.

Everyone was so thrilled to be with Anne this past June, 2015 as she celebrated her 100th birthday. Surely God had been good to Anne in her lifetime.

Anne is survived by her dear son George A. and wife Susan Snyder of Purcellville, VA; nine adored grandchildren: Anthony Michael, George Matthew, Elizabeth Anne, Laura Lynn, Peter Donlon, Laurence John, Allyson Wesley, Kathleen Elizabeth, and Margaret Louise; eighteen cherished great-grandchildren; one niece and two nephews; and two daughters-in-law: Jane Snyder and Patricia Snyder. She was predeceased by her beloved husband George W. Snyder; her dear son Laurence Snyder; two sisters: Louise Pogacer and Dorothy and husband Maurice Juillet; and one brother: Anthony and wife Rita Pogacer.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Anne’s memory are asked to consider Our Lady of the Valley R.C. Church, 630 Valley Road, Wayne, NJ 07470 or St. James The Less R.C. Church, 36 Lincoln Ave., Jamesburg, NJ 08831.

Angelina “Bebe” DeGrezia, age 101 passed peacefully at home on Friday, February 12, 2016.

She was born at the family home in Paterson and lived in Paterson for sixty-four years before moving to Wayne in 1978. Bebe graduated from Central High School in Paterson with the Class of 1932. She continued her education at Saint Joseph’s School of Nursing in Paterson where she received her certification as a Registered Nurse in 1935.

Bebe worked as a Registered Nurse for Saint Josephs Hospital in Paterson for many years. She also had several fondly remembered years working at the Van Dyk Nursing Home in Ridgewood before retiring in 1980.

She was a member of the Nurses Association Alumni of Saint Josephs Hospital, a former parishioner of Saint Anthonys RC Church in Paterson, a former parishioner of Saint Georges RC Church in Paterson and their Rosary Society, and was currently a parishioner of Saint Marys RC Church in Pompton Lakes.

As a young girl in Paterson she spied a cute barber at the local barber shop. She would repeatedly walk past the window to sneak a peak at this cute man until he realized what was going on. They met, dated, and Frank had to wait three years to marry Bebe as she was determined to be a nurse for at least that long before she married.

Frank proposed marriage on Valentine’s Day of 1938 and they married on September 18, 1938 at Saint Anthony’s RC Church in Paterson. They were truly in love, were always holding hands, hugging each other from behind, and even at age 80 Bebe was seen sitting on Frank’s lap. They had a loving and devoted marriage of sixty-three years before Frank’s passing in 2001.

She will be remembered as a giving, helpful, look for the good in other people, type of person. She was truly a nurse deep down in her heart and always taught that you can get more with a smile than a frown. She could often be heard saying “take the good times when you can,” and loved to sing the song You are My Sunshine.

Bebe was the loving wife of the late Frank DeGrezia (2001); she was the loving mother of Frank DeGrezia and his wife Harriet of South Seaside Park, JoAnn Orzo and her husband Joseph of North Haledon, Linda Kearney and her husband John of Wayne, and Nancy Mustrat and her husband Sam of Wayne; she was the cherished grandmother of eleven grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or the Wayne Memorial First Aid Squad, PO Box 2004, Wayne, NJ 07474 would be appreciated.

Anna Schmidt (Huber) age 79, a 47-year resident of Wayne, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 6, 2016 with family by her side.

Anna was born in Bakonyjako, Hungary, and grew up in Eisenharz, West Germany. In 1956 she came to the United States and initially lived with her uncle in the Bronx, NY. Anna worked as a nanny in Long Island, and when her dear cousin and her husband offered Anna a room in their home, Anna moved to Paterson.

Having gone to grade school in Hungary with her husband-to-be, Joseph Schmidt, their paths crossed once again in the United States in 1957 while at a dance on picnic grounds in North Haledon that are now known as the Tides Estate. They fell in love and married at Saint Boniface Church in Paterson on May 3, 1958, then resided in Paterson, NJ. An odd coincidence is that years earlier, while a soldier for the Hungarian Army, Joe had predicted he would meet the love of his life and get married on May 3, 1958! Ten years after being married, Joe and Anna moved to their home in Wayne. They were blessed with a fantastic marriage of fifty-eight years. They enjoyed many firehouse dances, evenings out at the Guild Hall, and weekend trips to Riedelbauers in the Catskills, NY where they spent wonderful times with many good friends and family.

Anna was the loving wife of Joseph Schmidt; devoted mother of Joseph M. Schmidt and wife Jem of Swindon, UK, and Maryann Cecere and husband Matthew of Wayne; cherished Oma of Jessica and Gregory Schmidt, and Jason and Nicole Cecere; much loved sister of Michael Huber and his wife Karin of Germany; and also loved by many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Anna was predeceased by her sisters Maria Hagn of Sussex, NJ and Katharina Wittpahl of Germany.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Anna’s name are asked to consider Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871-1950 (www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers)

Andrew “Andy” “Pepper” F. Stillo, age 82, of Riverdale, formerly of Pequannock, passed peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 19, 2016.

He was born in Sant’ Andrea, Italy and his family came to America aboard the Italian ocean liner SS Rex, and settled on St Marks Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The family moved to New Jersey living in Haskell, Paterson, and finally West Paterson. Andy graduated from Passaic Valley High School, where he played baseball and basketball, with the Class of 1952.

After high school, Andy played baseball for a semi-pro league and worked as a fill in mailman during the Christmas season and for a construction company. He attended two years of college at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford before serving his country in the US Army.

Andy served in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey and Berlin, Germany. While stationed at Fort Dix his family decided to visit him at his barracks. They all arrived as one big group, walking through the barracks, with baskets containing a traditional Italian meal. All his bunk mates were jealous when they saw the spread put out for Andy. While in the service he and his finance Janet corresponded with many love letters. He was honorably discharged from the service on November 15, 1957 and received the Army of Occupation of Germany Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his service.

Once out of the military Andy found work at the Home Insurance Company in New York City where he trained to be an underwriter. He later worked for GB Parks, David Eisenberg's Insurance Company and ended his long career at Wharton, Lyon & Lyon Insurance Agency where he retired in 1995 and stayed on as an advisory role for just over ten more years.

Andy first met Janet at a party where they talked for hours. When Janet left the party, Andy saw her sitting in a car and walked up to the open car window, leaned in and planted a kiss on her lips. She was shocked but flattered as well. From there, they started dating. Janet made it tough on Andy. Once when he came to the house to take her out, she had positioned a glass of water held by a string above a window where she planned to greet him. When he stopped to talk to her, she pulled the string and sent the water down on the top of his head. She continued pranks like this when she dug a hole where she knew Andy would walk and covered the hole with sticks and leaves with a pail of water underneath. Janet and her siblings peeked out the window until they saw him step into the hole and react to the prank. While they laughed hysterically watching, Andy was not laughing with them. However, the pranks did not stop Andy from pursuing Janet. From the start, Andy would tell Janet he was going to marry her. With their courting and flirting, they were falling deeply in love with each other. Andy went to New York with his brother-in-law Fiore and purchased a diamond engagement ring and soon after asked Janet’s parents for their permission to marry her. He proposed and she accepted at her family home located at 37 Wilmore Road in Little Falls. They married on September 6, 1958 at Saint Bonaventure’s RC Church in Paterson and had a reception at the Circle Inn in Wayne. They honeymooned at the Casablanca Hotel in Miami, Florida and were soon joined by their friends Josephine and Carmen Inga that were married the day after them. Andy won a Cha Cha Contest and was said to have put on a pretty good striptease act as well. Andy and Janet will be remembered as always being together and having enjoyed fifty-eight year of loving and devoted marriage.

After they married Andy and Janet lived over a barber shop on Main Street in Little Falls and after they had their first child Susan they moved in to an apartment above Andy's parent's house on Marcellus Ave in West Paterson. There their family grew with the arrival of their second child, Andrew, Jr. Andy and Janet bought their first home in Pequannock where they lived for over 32 years. Here their family grew with the arrival of their third child, Cindy (aka Cinderella). Andrew was very active and involved with his children. He was well known for coaching baseball for his son and softball for his daughters and wife. When Andy retired they moved to Riverdale, NJ and became snow birds in Naples, Florida for the past seventeen years.

Andy was a member of the Saint Andrew Social Club in West Paterson and the Pacquenack Tennis Club in Pompton Plains. He was a Past-President for both clubs. Andy was an avid golfer and enjoyed golfing with his group of friends at Sunset Valley Golf Club in Pompton Plains as well as the Lakewood Country Club in Naples, FL.

Andy was the loving husband of Janet (Book) Stillo; devoted father of Susan Landers and her husband Michael of Kinnelon, Andrew Stillo, Jr. and his wife Susie of West Caldwell, and Cindy Zahner and her husband Daniel of Pompton Plains; he was the cherished grandfather of Sabrina Stillo, Breanna Stillo, Tabitha Stillo, Ian Landers, Allison Landers, Samuel Zahner, Rebecca Zahner, Jennifer Zahner and dearly loved great-grandfather of Jayson Thomas Downs; he was the much loved brother of Mary Manello of Pompton Plains, Josephine Jackson of Caldwell, and the late Frances Coccari and Bruno Stillo. He was the treasured uncle of his nieces and nephews.

Those inclined to make a memorial donation are asked to consider Alzheimer’s New Jersey, 400 Morris Ave., Suite 251, Denville, NJ 07834-1365.

Alex “Aca” Aleksich, age 72, of Norwood and formerly of Fair Lawn and Paterson, passed peacefully in God’s presence, while his family stood faithfully by his side, on Saturday, May 7, 2016.

Aca was born in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. From a very young age, he knew hardship and loss, losing his dear mother Lubica from illness when he was just three years old and growing up during the height of World War II. At the time of his mother’s passing, he was the youngest of four children. His father Marko did find love again, remarried, and over the ensuing years, Aca was joined by four additional siblings.

In Yugoslavia, after graduating from elementary school, Aca left home to live in the city near Belgrade, where he attended and graduated from technical school for machinery. After a couple of months of work following graduation, Aca and a friend planned their escape from the country and its oppression. They got out successfully, leaving their families behind, and ended up in Italy where they worked off jobs in exchange for food and shelter from the good Samaritans in an political refugee camp.

In the Spring of 1963, Aca came to the United States of America with nothing but his ambition and a few dollars. His first home in this new land was in Paterson. He worked extremely hard to establish himself, taking odd jobs - some for as little as ninety-nine cents per hour. No matter how much he made, he always managed to send money every month to his father in Europe - who was a guiding force in his life - to make sure he was always taken care of.

It didn’t take long before Aca was introduced to a beautiful young lady named Nada Milojkovic. A year later, in 1964, they married and just one year after that, when Aca was just twenty-one, he and Nada welcomed a little baby boy who they named Marko. They lived in Paterson at first, then later moved to Clifton.

In 1969, just six years after coming to America, Aca opened his own business: Alex Machine Shop, Inc. on Straight Street in Paterson. It was always his dream to create his own empire and his hard work and discipline began to pay off. He was one of the first developers of metal hangers for dry cleaners and he had a lot of contracts in the textile and food industries. Eventually he was producing parts for companies all over the world and a big breakthrough was landing a contract to produce parts for machines that mass produced ice cream.

In 1985, soon after Aca, Nada, and Marko moved to Fair Lawn, Nada became ill. She eventually succumbed to cancer, passing away in 1988 and bringing loss and sadness once again to Aca and all of his family. As you would expect, Aca pressed on with his own life, always working hard and trusting God to sustain and provide for him each day. He eventually did find love again. His good friends Trajan and Gordana Oldja told Aca, “We have a wonderful woman for you.” The woman they were referring to was Bozana Djurkov, a doctor from Serbia, and she and Aca had their first date at a restaurant in New York City. That very night Aca proposed to Bozana and knowing his excellent reputation, she accepted his marriage proposal. They married in 1989 and over the ensuing years were blessed with three baby girls: Jelena, Ivana and Gordana. In 1996, they moved to Norwood.

Aca experienced his share of hardship in life, but he also experienced many blessings. Through hard work and diligence, he enjoyed much success in his business. One of his favorite pastimes was to visit his home in Venice, Florida where he would enjoy rest and relaxation in the warm weather. He loved going to his favorite restaurants and playing cards with his friends. He truly enjoyed a slower lifestyle and hot weather. One of the things that Aca embraced most about American culture was its movies, especially Western movies starring John Wayne. He also loved following tennis, his heart filled with pride as he would watch fellow Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic: one of the greatest players of all time. In January 2016, Novak became the first man in the Open Era to collect all six Australian Open Titles and Aca saw every second of his fellow countryman’s accomplishment, never sleeping during the entire 2016 Australian Open.

Above all else, Aca was most grateful for his family. He taught his son Marko to be an excellent machinist like himself and one of his dreams in life was to see all three of his daughter’s graduate from college. His children loved him right back and, towards the end of his life, his daughters would never leave his side, taking turns to keep 24-hour watch at his bedside just so they could care for him and spend as much time as possible with him.

It is hard to underestimate the positive influence that Aca had on the lives of those who had the privilege of knowing him. He was an example of what hard work and honesty get you and he himself was responsible for helping over two hundred immigrants get established with jobs in America. Aca always said “Be together, take care of each other, respect all, work hard, love each other and above all, believe in God.”

Aca is survived by his beloved wife Bozana; dear son: Marko Aleksich of Fair Lawn, three dear daughters: Jelena, Ivana and Gordana Aleksich, all of Norwood; two cherished grandsons: Alex and Steven; brothers: Nikola and wife Zorica Aleksich of Connecticut, Krsto and wife Ljubinka Aleksich of St. Petersburg, FL, and Tanasije and wife Mitra Aleksich of Paterson; and his sister: Ljiljana Ignatovic of Novi Sad, Serbia. He was predeceased by his beloved first wife Nada in 1988; his sister Persida Ostojic; and two brothers: Petar Aleksich and Djordje Aleksich.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Saint John the Baptist Serbian Orthodox Church, 119 Carlisle Ave., Paterson, 07501 would be appreciated.

Angela Liberatore (nee Sinelabe) age 89 of Totowa passed away peacefully on Monday July 11, 2016 while receiving the loving care of her family.

Angela was born in San Giovanni Teatino, Italy to Eugene and Concetta Sinelabe. She grew up in the heart of central Italy amongst the beauty, culture and everything that Italy has to offer. Angela was also a young woman during the Second World War. Amidst the tragedies and horrors of war, Angela met the love of her life, Nicola Liberatore. They started out as best friends, and as fate would have it they fell in love and were married in 1956.

All three of Angela and Nicola’s children were born in Italy and while raising and caring for their young and growing family, Nicola’s sister requested that they emigrate to the United States of America. So in the search for a better life and the American Dream, Nicola went ahead of his family to the United States. After securing a job here in the US, Nicola sent for his wife and children to join him. Once the entire family was here in America, they settled in the City of Paterson and eventually moved to Totowa where Angela would call home the rest of her life.

Very unexpectedly during their first few years living in the United States, Nicola was diagnosed with cancer and tragically passed away in 1974. Upon Nicola’s passing, a great void was left in the family’s life. Angela went from a simple homemaker, to taking on the role of breadwinner, homemaker and mother. Through great courage and determination to raise her family here in the USA, and with only an eighth grade education, Angela got a job to support her family. She became a Presser at Metro Mills Inc. in Paterson where she worked for 15 years until her retirement in 1990. It was through “God’s strength” that she was able to balance being a loving and devoted mother for her children while at the same time working to support them monetarily. Angela never remarried, she devoted everything in her life to her children. She may not have been able to give them all of the material things she wanted them to have, but more importantly she gave them good, strong family values. All three of her children went to work as teenagers to help support the family. Her family recalls that one of the reasons they were able to make it was the fact that they stuck together and supported one and other.

Not only being devoted to her family, she was also devoted to her Catholic Faith, she was a parishioner of St James of the Marches in Totowa for many years. Angela was an extremely generous person, always willing to give to those in need and less fortunate than herself. She had a beautiful heart and was thoughtful and giving throughout her whole life. Even when her family knew she was not feeling well or in pain, Angela never complained and would always say, “I’m fine.” She had a great sense of humor and was always grateful for whatever she had or whatever she was dealt. Angela had a love for animals as well. The family dog Max would always be by her side. She was also quite often found feeding the birds in her backyard. The birds became so comfortable with her, it was as if they were completely domesticated. Angela was an extraordinary person who touched the lives of many people and will be sincerely missed by all who knew her.

Angela is survived by two daughters; Stephanie Carini and her husband David of Hawthorne, and Theresa Scuttaro and her husband Anthony of Totowa, one son Lorenzo Liberatore and his wife Angela of Totowa, five grandchildren; Frank, Sonia, Nicola, Michael, and Nicole, three great grandchildren; Mia, Frankie, and D.J. she was predeceased by her husband Nicola Liberatore in 1974.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Angela’s name to Little Sisters of the Poor, 140 Shepherds Ln, Totowa, NJ 07512.

Agnes R. Gizzi, age 99, of Wayne, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 3, 2016 in Greenville, SC.

Agnes was born in Paterson, the third of William and Catherine Hanna’s five children. Raised in the Stoney Road section of Paterson, she attended Central High School but, due to the Great Depression, she had to quit before graduating so she could work to help support her family. Because of high unemployment in those days young Agnes jumped around a bit, working for, amongst others, Barbizon and the local supermarket.

Agnes grew up with a nice boy named Joseph Gizzi who lived right in her neighborhood. Their life-long friendship grew into love and they ultimately married on Sunday, September 1, 1940 at St. Bonaventure Church in Paterson. After the wedding they established their first home as man and wife right where they grew up – in Paterson’s Stoney Road section.

They bought their first house together in 1943 on Rockland Street in Paterson. It is there that Agnes’ role became that of full-time homemaker and mother to her son and three daughters. Unfortunately, in 1961, Agnes’ husband Joe passed away, leaving a hole in his family’s heart and the added responsibility of breadwinner for Agnes. Her first foray back into the working world was as a crossing guard at the intersection of Paterson’s Grand Street and New Street – just three blocks from her home on Rockland Street and right by Minardi’s Bakery. She later worked as a waitress at Preakness Hills Country Club in Wayne until ultimately landing a job as a clerk with Singer Kearfott in Wayne. She worked there from 1970 to 1976 when she retired. A year later in 1977, Agnes moved to Wayne.

Agnes was the proverbial bingo queen, playing all over the Catholic church circuit. She was an avid bowler in the Paterson Women’s League where she played on the sponsored teams of Crowell’s Tavern, DeLuccia Funeral Home of Paterson, La Neve Oil Company, and her own son’s business – J. Gizzi Heating and Air Conditioning.

She really enjoyed her senior citizen clubs including the Golden Key Club of Wayne where she served as President, and the Wayne Senior Citizens at the Wayne P.A.L. Through these clubs she took many bus trips to Atlantic City where she frequented the casinos building up her arm strength pulling the lever on the slot machines, while mixing in a little roulette and black jack. Agnes developed a lot of friendships through her involvement in these clubs. She also took several trips to Las Vegas – one when she was 80 with her son Joe and daughters Judy and Diane.

Agnes was a woman whose character was molded by various challenges she faced in her long life, like living through the depression, and raising her children, predominately on her own. This caused her to be principled, determined and sometimes even a little feisty. Consequently, she always enjoyed the love and respect of her children who she taught responsibility, self-reliance, respect and right from wrong.

Agnes is survived by her dear son Joseph Gizzi and companion Nancy D’Acierno of Wayne; three cherished grandsons: Charles Puglia and wife Barbara and their children – Michael, Joshua, and Sofia of Marlton Lakes, Joseph Puglia and wife Lisa and their children – Jesse, Anna Clair, Camille, Josie, Noelle and Adeline of Colorado, and Douglas Puglia of Simpsonville, South Carolina; and her dear son-in-law Michael Puglia of Taylors, SC. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph in 1961; her cherished grandson Michael Puglia in 1993; three dear daughters: Judith Gizzi in 1998, Diane Gizzi in 2014, and Carole Puglia in 2016; and four siblings: Mary Fattell, Rose Hemsey, William Hanna, and Elmer Hanna.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Agnes’ memory, are asked to consider Muchachos Foundation, Inc. a 501©3 organization, P.O. Box 197, Hawthorne, NJ 07506, or Gentiva Hospice, 15 Brendan Way, Greenville, SC 29615 (www.gentiva.com).

Aldo Fabbro, age 88, of Wayne, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2016.

Born in New York City, he was raised in the Bronx where he graduated from the Bronx High School of Science in 1943. He went on to City College where he earned his bachelors degree in engineering. While attending City College, Aldo took a year off from school to serve in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1945. He later graduated from New York University with a master’s degree in engineering.

Aldo met his wife Vilma (nee Marcolina) in 1949 while at a fundraiser for the Bronx Rebels baseball team on which Aldo played catcher. They fell in love, eventually marrying in 1953 at Holy Cross Church in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia, PA. After living initially for four years in Hackensack, Aldo and Vilma moved to Wayne where they remained in the same home for the past fifty-nine years.

After beginning his engineering career with Curtiss Wright Corporation in 1953, Aldo soon joined Reaction Motors, Inc. (RMI) where he helped design the liquid fueled rocket engines for the first hypersonic aircraft, the X-15. In the 1970’s he returned to Curtiss Wright where he remained until retiring in 1993. In his spare time, Aldo was a Master Gardener and also enjoyed playing golf.

Surviving is Aldo’s beloved wife of sixty-two years, Vilma; dear son Richard and wife Cecilia of Scarsdale, NY; dear daughters: Janet and husband Robert Pescinski of Hillsborough, NJ, and Suzanne and husband Donald Knezick of Columbus, NJ; and seven cherished grandchildren: Adriana, Rebecca, Janina, Krystian, Marcus, Thomas, and Steven. He was predeceased by his sister Yole Martin.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Aldo’s name are asked to consider St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P.O Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 (www.stjude.org).

Albert Robert Ferrare, age 97, of North Haledon and formerly of Fair Lawn and Ringwood, died peacefully on Sunday, June 5, 2016.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife Florence in 1998, his dear grandson Jason in 2006, and his four siblings.

Born in Hoboken in 1919, Albert grew up in Jersey City and was the son of the late James and Lucy Ferrare. After marriage, he and Florence moved to Fair Lawn where they raised their two sons, remaining in Fair Lawn for fifty years.

Albert proudly served in the United States Army during World War II. He and his brother-in-law Ralph Paulillo were the owners of Universal Chrome Plating Company in Jersey City for 35 years.

Albert’s fondest memories were times spent at the family’s summer home at Erskine Lake in Ringwood.

Surviving are his two sons: Albert J. and wife Doreen Ferrare of Ringwood, and Robert “Nip” and wife Mary Ellen Ferrare of North Haledon: grandchildren: Courtney and husband Michael Bonanno, Brian and wife Kari Ferrare, Kyle Ferrare, Timothy Ferrare, Christie Ferrare, Shaun Ferrare and fiancée Priscilla Spinelli, and Lindsey Ferrare; step-grandchildren: Michelle and Andrew Conroy, Joseph Natale, Nicholas Natale, and Natalie Natale; great-grandchildren: Logan, Jackson, Charlie, and Avery; and step-great-grandchildren: Jack and Stella Conroy.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Alberts’s name are asked to consider of charity of their choice.

Ada Cielo, age 81 of Wayne, died on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 after a sudden and brief illness. Her family was all gathered at her side. She had lived in Clifton for thirty six years before moving to Wayne in 1997.

Ada (nee Gambuti) was born in Guardia Sanframondi, Italy. She met her husband Raymond there while he was serving in the U.S. Navy. Of course, their initial meeting was a little awkward, as Ray could not speak Italian, and Ada didn’t know any English. When Ray returned to the States, they corresponded by letter with Ada’s cousin providing translation. Eventually, Ada came to America in June of 1961 and they were married December 10 that same year. Ada’s wedding pictures show a sad bride, someone who, at the time, was unaware of the great happiness and joy that would eventually define her marriage. She and Ray shared a love and devotion that few people ever enjoy. When Ray retired, he told everyone that he planned to spend all his time with his wife. They were inseparable and did everything together during the fifty five years since Ada landed on the shores of America. During those years, they enjoyed a great deal of travel together, having toured most of Europe, several visits to Italy, Australia, Hawaii, South America, and the Caribbean Islands. Summer vacations to Wildwood were particularly memorable for her two children.

After their honeymoon to Miami Beach, Ada and Ray settled into a home in Clifton and then soon built a new home right next door to Ray’s parents in Clifton. They had sort of a ‘family compound’ with Ray’s uncle living in a neighboring house as well. Ada was very ‘house proud’ and her home was always spotless. Wherever family was, she was happiest and many of their activities were based around family. Sunday was particularly special with dinner at Ada’s. Typically more than ten people gathered at her table and there was never a shortage of food. She was a fantastic cook. Ada preferred to cook as often as possible and it took a bit of negotiating to get her to go to restaurants on holidays. The only holidays she would eat out on were Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday.

Surviving to mourn her loss is her devoted husband Raymond of Wayne, two children; Patricia Zarpaylic and her husband Larry of West Milford, and Raymond Cielo and his wife Lisse of Woodland Park, four grandchildren; Brianna and Gabriella Cielo of Woodland Park and L.J. and Caprese Zarpaylic of West Milford, her sister; Lina DiLonardo of Clifton, her son John and his wife Nina of Hawthorne, two brothers-in-law; Frank Cielo of Clifton and Robert Cielo and his wife Judith of Toms River, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. A brother, Pellegrino Gambuti and his wife Maria Louisa of Italy pre-deceased her.

Andrew Richard Terpstra, age 56, of Chenango Forks, NY, and formerly of Wayne, passed away on Sunday, January 3, 2016.

Andy was born in East Orange, the second of his parents' David and Shirley Terpstra’s five children. He grew up in Wayne, graduating from Wayne Hills High School with the Class of 1977. After high school he explored the field of carpentry but ultimately found his skills best put to use selling and installing replacement windows. He was self-employed and,using his intials as the basis for the name, established and owned ART Construction.

Andy married in 1993, moving into the Clifton home of his paternal grandparents, Andrew and Sophie Terpstra, raising his family, and runnng his business for the next nine years. With a growing family that now included two children, son Richard and daughter Tara, in 2002 the family made a big move to Freeport, Maine. There he purchased a twenty-unit motel and named it the Dutch Lighthouse Motel. The choice of location was not random. As a child, Andy frequently vacationed with his mom and dad and brothers and sisters in the Freeport and Brunswick area. This was the birthplace of his maternal grandfather, Alton O. Hackett and the area had strong family ties. Andy loved Maine and was excited about owning and running his own place where tired travelers, as well as family and friends, could be assured a friendly welcome and a comfortable night’s rest. After eight years, it was time to move on and, in 2010, he moved to Chenango Forks, near Binghamton, NY. This allowed him to be closer to where Richard and Tara were now living. There Andy restarted ART Construction, once again selling and installing replacement windows until getting sick in 2014.

Andy always loved to travel. As an adult, he took numerous trips with his family to islands in the Caribbean and also a trip to Ireland and two trips to Hawaii. It gave him great pleasure one Christmas to give his children Richard and Tara tickets to go on an island cruise. Andy just loved being with them and involved in their lives. He often took Tara shopping and even began teaching Richard the window business during school vacations. He saw being a role model, family provider, and parent as his top priority. Andy also looked forward to and often planned ways to get the various family members together. He always saw the joy and fun in spending simple times with his children, brothers, sisters, and parents. It didn’t have to be anything special that they did together, as long as they were together.

Andy enjoyed talking to everyone and sharing views and experiences. He was always interested in what others had to say or just making them smile – family, customers, fellow travelers, and others would all find a friend. He will be missed by all.

Andy is survived by his two dear children: Richard David and Tara Nicole, both of Binghamton, NY; his loving parents: David and Shirley Terpstra of Wayne; four siblings: Lorrie Brandenburg of Hagerstown, MD, Donna and husband Robert Doyle of Belefonte, PA, Craig and wife Sheri Terpstra of Jim Thorpe, PA, and Douglas Terpstra of Clifton; and nine nieces and nephews: William, Nicholas, Robert, Roxanne, Brian, Kevin, Brittany, Zachary, and Natalie.

In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy in Andy’s name are asked to consider Preakness Reformed Church.

Albert Joseph Sadowski, Sr. of West Columbia, SC, formerly of Wayne, NJ passed away on January 29, 2016 at the age of 72. Born on September 11, 1943 as the only child of Anthony Bernard Sadowski and Frances (Partyka) Sadowski, he was raised in Trenton, NJ. He graduated from Notre Dame High School in Lawrence Township, NJ in 1961 and received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, PA. He worked as an engineer for the Okonite Company for over 30 years in both New Jersey and South Carolina.

Albert was married on February 12, 1966 in Merchantville, NJ. He was predeceased by his wife Annetta Marie (Snyder) Sadowski in October 1999 and his daughter Catherine Eleanor Sadowski in October 2009.

He is survived by his children Kenneth and his wife Christine, Judith McLean and her husband Scott, Al Jr and his wife Jennifer, and Brian and his wife Diane, as well Liz Simmons, his beloved companion for the last 15 years. His 11 grandchildren called him Dziadek, Polish for grandfather.

He was a former parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley in Wayne , NJ. In South Carolina, he served as Eucharistic minister at of Our Lady of the Hills Roman Catholic Church in Columbia, SC and volunteered his time at the Lexington Medical Center and with the American Red Cross. Albert was a member of the Robert Burns Society and Knights Templar. He loved his summer vacations with the family in the Outer Banks, North Carolina, and was an avid chess player, golfer, piano player, and fisherman.

Stella Marie Almroth, a longtime resident of the Packanack Lake community in Wayne, NJ, died peacefully on May 19, 2019 at the age of 93.

Born in Altoona, PA on November 12, 1925 to Ruth Susan Riddle and George Ernest Riddle, Stella grew up with two sisters, Emma and Blanche, and a younger brother, George.  They learned to be hard workers from an early age as they helped build a thriving landscape business, Kettle Nursery, and grew varietal apples and garden vegetables which they sold in the Altoona Farmer’s Market where Stella worked on Saturdays.  In later years, when Stella was asked what she remembered most about her childhood, she would say “the delicious food”, remembering her mother’s Pennsylvania Dutch-style dishes, fresh fruit pies and jams.

Influential in her early life where two great aunts, both teachers in one room schoolhouses, who encouraged her love of learning.  Stella was the first in her family to attend a university, graduating in 1947 from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and in 1967 with a Master of Arts from Paterson State College (now William Paterson University), specializing in early childhood education and reading.  She devoted much of her life to educating young children at Packanack School where she taught 2nd grade for 30 years, sharing her love of literature and social studies, while teaching subjects such as the traditions of the native peoples of Australia and Alaska.

She married Frank Stanley Almroth on July 1, 1950.  They met while Frank, also a teacher, was visiting his relatives from Paterson, NJ, who had followed the expansion of railroad operations to a large base in Altoona.  Early in their marriage Stella taught 7th grade in Allendale.  In 1955 Stella and Frank moved to Packanack Lake, where they lived for most of their 59 years of marriage, and their two daughters, Janet and Kim, were born.

Stella was devoted to her family, especially her granddaughter, Kristy, who was the apple of her eye.  She had a lifelong love for gardening and nature, and could often be found working about her garden, reading about flowers or birds, attending Garden Club or visiting local gardens and flower shows.  Stella and Frank were also world travelers.  In their retirement, they traveled the globe from cruising the coasts of Australia and Alaska, to exploring the Amazon and Europe, to attending the Oberammergau and visiting the Holy Land with Marble Collegiate Church - where Stella famously road a donkey. The places they visited and stories are many.

She was active in her community and church. A lifelong Delta Gamma sorority member, she helped create books in braille for the blind, served as Treasurer of the Packanack Lake Garden Club for many years, and contributed her time as a volunteer at Packanack Community Church. Together with her husband, she was a lifelong patron of theatre, music and the arts.

She is survived by her two daughters, Janet Almroth Robertson of Princeton, NJ, Kim Kristine Vanderwende of Frenchtown, NJ, and granddaughter, Kristy Lee Smith and husband Kevin Smith of Barto, PA.

Donations in Stella’s memory can be made to Packanack Community Church, 120 Lake Drive East, Wayne, NJ 07470.