Pascack Press Obituaries: March 5, 2018

Maria Libera Venezia (nee Matera), 82, of Emerson, formerly of Northvale, died peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Feb. 22, 2018. She was born in Italy on Sept. 6, 1935, and came to the United States at age 13. She started work as an embroidery seamstress, then became a master craftswoman of custom window treatments. Most of all, she was devoted to all things related to her family. Her gifted hands cooked, sewed, crocheted, and made floral arrangements. She volunteered for schools and churches and was a member of the Northvale Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary in the 1970s. She was a parishioner at St. Andrew’s R.C. Church in Westwood, and formerly of St. Anthony’s R.C. Church in Northvale. She held deep devotion to the Rosary and Mary, and attended Mass almost every day. She is survived by her beloved husband of 60 years, Rocco; her cherished children, Joyce Venezia Suss and husband Sherwin; Lisa Venezia Thomas and husband Charles; and Anthony Venezia; her treasured grandchildren, Jacqueline (Robert), Jeanette (Matthew), Rebecca, Mollie, Nicholas, and Elizabeth; her brothers, Gennaro, Biagio, and Joseph; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her twin sister, Pasqualina Gramuglia, and her parents, Cristina and Nicola Matera. Visitation  was held at Pizzi Funeral Home in Northvale. A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Anthony’s RC Church, Northvale. Entombment followed at Madonna Mausoleum in Fort Lee. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the non-profit Eternal Word Television Network, 5817 Old Leeds Road, Irondale, AL, 35210, or https://donations.ewtn.com.

John Dennis Bonner, Sr., 71, of Hillsdale, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Harold and Josephine Bonner. Beloved husband of Virginia Bonner. Devoted father of John Jr. and his wife Kathleen, Beth Epstein and her husband George, Michael and his wife Mandi, Laura Connors and her husband Brian, Mary Allison Carter and her husband Lyon, III. Loving grandfather of Brendan, Emily and Caroline Bonner; Zach, Jake and Josh Epstein; Anna and Addison Bonner; Braden, Avery and Peyton Connors; and Lyon IV Carter and Baby Carter due in August. The family received their relatives and friends at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood on Feb. 25. The Funeral Mass celebrating John’s life and faith was held at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Hillsdale on Feb. 26. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s name to JDRF Diabetes Foundation or The Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

Edwin Gerard Schuck, of the Township of Washington, entered into eternal peace on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018, after his brave battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully in his wife’s arms, at home, surrounded by his family. Ed was a true gentleman and a kind soul to all. His greatest pleasures came from his children, who made him so proud. As a member of the Bergen County Harley Owners Group, Ed enjoyed riding his motorcycle throughout this beautiful country, alongside many great friends and sharing that passion with his wife and kids. Ed was the owner of Gerard Automotive in Dumont for 30 years. Son of Dolores and the late Edwin J. Schuck, he is also survived by his loving wife Judy (nee Mohler); his children, Edwin J. and his wife Laura; Nicole, and Connor; and his siblings Geri Haddon, Audrey Fregonese, and Dennis Schuck. Visitation was held at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood, with a Celebration of Life service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 155 2nd Ave., Westwood, NJ 07675.

Edward Brown, 84, a longtime resident of Westwood, peacefully passed away on Feb. 16, 2018. The viewing and funeral service were held on Feb. 24 at New St. Mark’s AME Zion in Westwood. Professional services entrusted to Cotton Funeral Service.

Sundy “Cindy” Smith (nee DeFini), 66, of Westwood, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. Cindy is survived by her beloved husband of 46 years, Don, her children, Kerri Kolan and her husband Matthew; Debra Bisi and her husband Michael; and Denise Riley and her husband Joseph; her grandchildren Nicole, Andrew (deceased), Ryan, Sean, Christopher and Brendan, her brother Sam DiFini and his wife Kathy and her sister Susan Rimasse and her husband Ron as well as 12 nieces and nephews and mother-in-law Doris Smith of Westwood. Cindy was a generous giver and provided comfort and care to many elderly residents in the Pascack Valley area for many years. She will be remembered for her compassion and devotion to helping others. Cindy also was a pet therapy volunteer for Valley Hospice with her beloved dog Aimee. Cindy was an active member of St. Andrew’s R.C. Church, serving most notably as a lector and eucharistic minister. She was professed as a Third Order Carmelite in 1989 serving her chapter as directress for many years. The family received guests at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood. A Mass celebrating Cindy’s life and faith was held at St. Andrew’s R.C. Church. Interment followed at Cemetery of the Ascension Cemetery, Airmont, N.Y. Memorial gifts to Carmelite Nuns, St. Therese’s Valley, 3551 Lanark Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036-9324 would be appreciated.

Ruth Derivaux Ames, 93, of Woodcliff Lake and Bay Head, passed away peacefully in the presence of her four children on Feb. 20, 2018. Born in 1924 in Orange, she was the daughter of C. Hubert Derivaux, a Newark attorney, and Ruth Jacobson Derivaux. Ruth acquired her lifelong nickname, “Honey,” while growing up in South Orange and Wheaton, Ill. She was a graduate of Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, and in 1946 graduated with a degree in English from The College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station. After college, she taught in the Springfield school system, and in 1951 she married Paul V. Ames. After moving to Closter,  where the couple raised their four children, she remained active in teaching by co-founding Story Hour, the pre-school program at St. Mary’s Parish. In 1966 the family moved to Woodcliff Lake, where Ruth embarked on a career as a real estate broker, GRI. She sold residential real estate in the Pascack Valley for more than 40 years and was consistently a member of the Million Dollar Sales Club of the NJ Association of Realtors. A parishioner of Our Lady Mother of the Church in Woodcliff Lake, she taught catechism for many years, was also a eucharistic minister, and served as an active member of CASA. Ruth was predeceased by Paul V. Ames, Sr., her husband of 43 years, and her brother, Charles H. Derivaux, Jr. of Cherry Hill. She is survived by her four children: Paul V. Ames, Jr. (Poppy); Elizabeth Ames; Allison Ames Treanor (Bill) and Hugh Ames (Ellen), as well as nine grandchildren. Visitation was held on March 2 at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood. A Memorial Mass was held on March 3 at Our Lady of Mercy Church in Park Ridge, where her beloved cousin, the Rev. Msgr. Carl D. Hinrichsen, was in retirement until his death in 2016. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Ruth’s honor to The College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ 07960.

Jerry Tiseo, 92, of Park Ridge, formerly of Cliffside Park, passed away on Feb. 22, 2018. Visitation and services were held at McCorry Brothers in Cliffside Park.

Raymond Joseph Gacheny, 80, of River Vale, passed away on Feb. 24, 2018. Raymond is survived by his dear wife of 59 years, Alice (nee Loughran); children Raymond and his wife Theresa, Kevin, Karen Greene and her husband Andrew and Michelle Kidd; his grandchildren Leah, Steven, Matthew, Brendan, Tommy, Joelle, Carley, Brody and Logan as well as his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his brother George. Raymond had a long career in the telecommunications industry; retiring from AT&T after 32 years and then working with Federal Communications Corp for an additional 18 years. He was an avid fisherman and loved boating, his family and friends. The family received guests at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood on March 2. A Mass celebrating Raymond’s life and faith was held at St. John The Baptist R.C. Church in Hillsdale on March 3, followed by private cremation. Memorial contributions can be made in Raymond’s name to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.