JOSEPH M. GEMIGNANI
Joseph Michael Gemignani, 101, of Tenafly, passed away on Feb. 1, 2018. Joseph was a man endowed with great strength, resolve and determination and equally blessed with empathy, compassion and good humor. A child of Italian immigrants, Joseph was born into a world of Model-Ts, horse trolleys and iceboxes in West Hoboken. His mother, a strong and enduring force in his life, died when he was 10, changing his life forever. Starting work at 12 as a pinsetter at a bowling alley at night, he left school and eventually left home at 15 at the height of the Great Depression. Riding the rails as a teenage hobo, he knew the vast loneliness of freedom. Looking to survive in a time of great social strife, he worked as a railroad section hand in Death Valley, a cook for the thousands of hungry homeless in Southern California and a chauffeur and handyman for an elderly dowager and former school teacher in Lompoc, Calif. He understood the trials of deprivation and hunger, the salvation and sacrifice of hard work and ultimately that we’re all equal and worthy of respect. Drafted in 1943, while working at the Follies Burlesque house in LA, Joseph was trained as a medic in Denver. He declined being trained at the expense of Uncle Sam as a doctor, a minor regret. He served in the 12th Army Air Force until his discharge in 1946 with the rank of First Sergeant. Serving in North Africa, Corsica, Northern Italy and occupation in Austria, his skills as a medic and street smart entrepreneur served soldiers and civilians alike. At the war’s end and with the help of the GI Bill, he embarked on a career as a fine artist and painter at the Arts Students League in New York City under the tutelage of the renowned painter, Reginald Marsh. While at the League, he met his future wife of 61 years, Barbara, a potter and a future art teacher in Oradell. He left retirement, as he said, to get married and start a career and family. At her instigation, he went back to school studying to become a draftsman and electronics designer at night. For the next 30 years, he worked primarily in Teterboro for such renowned aeronautic corporations as Curtiss-Wright and Bendix. With top secret clearance and not permitted to speak of his work, it was surmised over the years that he was involved in the development of highly classified military projects along with NASA’s Apollo Moon Project and the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Before retiring in 1983, he worked for Tel Instrument Electronics Corporation of East Rutherford. Retired for the next 35 years, Joseph travelled frequently to Italy with his wife and enjoyed the comforts of a well deserved and prosperous life. As a physically robust young man, he enjoyed boxing, weight lifting and judo. He remained strong for the rest of his life and remained active well into his late 90s. He never complained or let life’s obstacles wear him down. A true renaissance man, he kept his cool and as he frequently reminded his family, “If you can’t laugh, you haven’t got a thing.” Joseph is predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Barbara, survived by his son Thomas (TJ) and his partner Anna, and Thomas’ daughter Giselle, 23 and son Julian, 19. Arrangements handled by Barrett Funeral Home.
PEGGY WASHINGTON
Peggy Washington, 81, of Englewood, passed away on Feb. 7, 2018. Services were held on Feb. 17 at Canaan Baptist Church in Paterson.
SIDNEY DULLY
Sidney Dully (nee Ours), passed away suddenly on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018 in Englewood at the age of 74. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 45 years, Peter Charles Dully, Sr., in 2010. She was a devoted and generous mother to her sons, Christopher Scott Dully of Englewood and Peter Charles Dully, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio. Sidney is also survived by her sister, Phyllis Sword of Spring Grove, Pa.; her daughter-in-law, Alyssa Jane Francis of Columbus; and was the beloved Nene to her grandson, Walter Francis Dully, also of Columbus. Sidney was born in 1943 in Annapolis, Maryland to Statton Ray Ours, Jr. and Adelaide Vaughn Ours. Sidney attended Penn State University and graduated with a B.A. in fine arts. She was a proud member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Loved by all who knew her, Sidney was a brilliant artist who frequently gave away her work to friends and acquaintances far and wide. Sidney was a life-long advocate for those who suffered from mental illness, and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, with whom she had a long relationship. The family is planning a celebration of her life and art in Englewood for April. Arrangements by Barrett Funeral Home in Tenafly.
SUSAN MARCH
Susan Marx March, 85, of Englewood, passed away unexpectedly on Feb. 11, 2018. Born in New Orleans, she moved north to attend Swarthmore College, graduating in 1954 with an honors degree in history. She settled in Teaneck, where she raised her three children as a single mother while working as the executive director of the YWCA in Hackensack. She also worked with the American Friends Service Committee, United Way, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. She met her second husband, Samuel Gold, in 1981. After retiring, they enjoyed travel, great friends, good books, and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband, she is survived by her three children and their spouses: Christopher March and his wife, Blandine Laferrere, of New York, N.Y.; David March and his wife, Carolyn March, of Northampton, Mass.; and Jocelyn March Dreier and her husband, Marc Dreier, of Ridgewood. She is also survived by her six beloved grandchildren, Lucie, Kevin, Matthew, Daniel, Emma, and Jason, and by her stepchildren, Anthony Gold and his wife, Carolyn Gold, of Gaithersburg, Md., and Virginia Gold and her husband, John Wilkes, of Port Liberte, N.J. She will be remembered for her devotion to family, her passion for social service, her generosity, and her sharp intelligence. There will be a private gathering at her home to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Center for Food Action, 192 W. Demarest Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631.
JOSEPHINE CECCON
Josephine Ceccon (nee Nobile), of Demarest, passed away on Feb. 11, 2018. Dear wife of the late Angelo. Beloved mother of Michael and his wife Antoinette, Peter and Daniel. Loving grandmother of Stephanie and Michael Angelo. Dear sister of the late Carl Nobile. Chickie was a kindergarten teacher at Hillside School in Closter and the music director for the Tenafly Senior Center, where she also taught English as a second language. She was the bookkeeper for Valley Roofing in Tenafly and taught piano. Visitation was held at the Barrett Funeral Home in Tenafly. The Funeral Mass was held at Mt. Carmel Church in Tenafly. Interment at Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Valley Program Foundation c/o Regional Program, 155 Parkway, Harrington Park, NJ 07640.
JOAN DeGENNARO
Joan L. DeGennaro, 86, a lifelong resident of Demarest, passed away on Feb. 9, 2018 with her family by her side. Joan was a warm and loving person who was adored by everyone that knew her. She enjoyed gardening and cooking, and was known for making her famous eggplant. Joan enjoyed her many visits to Long Beach Island throughout the years. Joan is predeceased by her beloved husband, Steven. She is survived by her devoted children, Anita Lish, Diane Runge, and Steven DeGennaro; her cherished grandchildren, Christopher Lish, and Jennifer Bustos; her loving great-granddaughter Alexis Bustos; her devoted sister Mildred Rosas and family, and loving lifelong friend Bonnie Zullo and family. Joan is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Joan to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Cremation will be private with a memorial service at a later date. Arrangements by Moritz Funeral Home in Closter.
BARBARA TAYLOR
Barbara Taylor, 75, of Englewood, passed away on Jan. 28, 2018. Visitation and funeral were held at Nesbitt Funeral Home in Englewood.
CECELIA RAMPOLLA
Cecelia V. Rampolla, a lifelong resident of Northvale, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. Beloved wife of Frank. Cherished mother of Lisa Bernardo and husband David of Oradell, Steven and wife Christine of East Brunswick, and Michael and wife Courtney of Northvale. Adored “Nana” of Ashley, Alex, Maria, Sofia and Joey. Dear sister of Theresa Governale, Samuel Amorosso, Charles Amorosso and the late Palma Andico, Laura Molinaro, Joseph Amorosso, Rocco Amorosso and Dominick Amorosso and sister-in-law of Stanley Molinaro, Barbara Amorosso, Joan Amorosso, Elaine Amorosso, Robert Rampolla, Ronald Rampolla and the late Val Andico, Lucille Amorosso, Edward Governale, and Yolanda Pastor. She is also survived by many other loving relatives and friends. Ceil was above all a dedicated and devoted wife, mother and “Nana” and will be missed dearly by all who knew her. She worked for MDR, LLC in West Orange for 15 years as an office manager. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony’s RC Church in Northvale, followed by entombment at Garden of Memories in the Township of Washington. Visitation was held at Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Englewood Hospital Foundation Heel the Soul Program, 350 Engle St., Englewood, NJ 07631.
THOMAS WEILBACKER
Thomas O. Weilbacker, 87, of Northvale, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2018. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; sons Thomas, Allan, Steven, and John; grandchildren Elaine, Allan Jr., Amanda, Emily, Steven Jr., Andrew, Rachel, Madeleine, and Christopher; and great-grandchildren Alexander, Jason, Allan III, Thomas, and Madalynn. Tom is a Naval veteran of the Korean War who was stationed in the Mediterranean Sea onboard the USS Philippine Sea. Afterward, he worked at the aerospace division of Bendix Corporation for 35 years. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Visitation was held at Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale. Interment was at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.
MARIAN R. MAY
Marian Rose Cohn May passed away on Feb. 12, 2018 in Rockleigh. She was born on Jan. 31, 1924. Predeceased by her husband, Dick, in January 2017 after close to 73 years of marriage. Marian is survived by her daughter Kathy Wittman, son Larry May, and daughter Patty Linsey. Sons-in-law Ed Wittman and Rich Linsey, and daughter-in-law Bonnie May. Grandchildren Alan Wittman (married to Kelly), Heather Skigen, Rachel Cox (married to Erik), Lauren Goldberg (married to Andrew) and Liz Waldman (married to Greg). Great-grandchildren Wittney, Annika and Natalie Skigen, Dylan and Hailey Goldberg, Ariana and Spencer Waldman, Blake, Drew and Jenna Wittman. Marian raised her family in Teaneck. She joined Dick in his retirement moving to Delray Beach then San Diego returning back east to live in Rockaway. Her feisty personality will be missed. If you would like to make a donation, send to the Jewish Home at Rockleigh.
CASIMIR T. CZARKOWSKI
Casimir Thomas Czarkowski was born on Sept. 21, 1941 on the Lower East Side Avenue B in New York City to Casimir W. and Adele (Basta) Czarkowski. He was raised in Clason Point, the Bronx where he learned to love stick ball, Orchard Beach and the piano. Educated at Holy Cross School and Cardinal Hayes High School, he graduated from Wantagh High School after moving to Long Island. Cas was a gifted classical pianist who studied at Juilliard Prep. His talent and love of music is the wonderful gift he passed on to his son Stephen. He graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in civil engineering. He proudly served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1966. Cas worked for the Department of Environmental Conservation in New York City. He was in charge of the air quality monitoring system, playing a vital role for public safety in New York City after Sept. 11, 2001. For many years he was a committed baseball and soccer coach for the youngsters of Closter. He retired in 2002 in the company of the love of his life, Sandra. He enjoyed many peaceful moments like sitting on his favorite garden bench, riding his bicycle 3,000 miles a year, New York Philharmonic concerts, Broadway, Yankee games, Jones Beach, LBI, and running back and forth with Sandra to see his son’s many concerts in Washington, D.C. Cas leaves behind a legacy of kindness and love. He is survived by his devoted wife of 50 years, Sandra Neighmond Czarkowski, sons Stephen of Gaithersburg, Maryland, and Alex of Toms River, and sister Marysia Haack (husband Leonard) of St. Louis, Missouri. He has loving nieces, nephews, cousin Ed Drydol, tennis partner Vic Fadini, and lifelong friend and best man Jack Newman. He also leaves behind many “adopted” family and friends whom he touched with his profound love, kindness and music. Calling hours were held on Feb. 13 at Moritz Funeral Home in Closter. Special recognition and thanks to Villa Marie Claire Hospice and the Closter Police Department.