OBITUARIES

Ellen ROCHE

Ellen “Nellie” Roche, 81, of Woodcliff Lake and formerly of Franklin Lakes, passed peaceful-

ly at home surrounded by family on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021.

Born and raised in Cloone, Co. Leitrim, Ireland, Nellie came to the United States in 1958 living in the Inwood section of Manhattan before moving to Dumont in 1967. Nellie and Joe moved to Woodcliff Lake in 1976, Franklin Lakes in 1993, and returned to Woodcliff Lake in 2014.

Nellie started working at Stasnyʼs Inn in 1971 and ultimately Nellie and Joe founded Nellieʼs Place in 1989. Nellie was a long standing member of the Bergen Irish Association. She had a philanthropic soul that extended to everyone she knew.

Nellie is survived by her loving husband, Joe; her six children, Joseph Roche, Patricia Sunar (Hal), Claire Metzler, Karen Schultz (Eugene), Christopher Roche (Carolyn), and Erin Trick (David); her 14 grandchildren, Daryl, Chris, Tiffany, Kyle, Connor, Devin, Austin, Samantha, Maryellen, Collin, William, Carter, Abigail, and James; and one great-granddaughter, Katie.

She is also survived by two siblings, Claire Cox and Kevin Reynolds, along with countless nieces and nephews around the globe. Nellie was predeceased by her parents and eight of her 10 siblings.

A Funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Lukeʼs Church, HoHo-Kus. Entombment, Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Nellieʼs memory can be made to the Eastern Christian Childrenʼs Retreat, 700 Mountain Ave., Wyckoff, NJ 07481. Henry

ZICCHINO

Henry “Tony” Zicchino, 84, of Woodcliff Lake passed away on Christmas Day 2021.

Tony is survived by his beloved wife of almost 65 years, Joan (née Hake); his sons Edward (Sue) and his children Dylon (Alexa), Ambria (Michael) and Campbell; Vincent and his children Anthony Edward (Regina), Dana Miller (Christopher); Stephen (Karen) and Phillip (Amanda) and his children Anthony, Samantha, Erin and Henry Philip; his greatgranddaughter Hazel; as well as his brother Joseph (Amy) and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. He is predeceased by his dear grandson, Henry Thomas.

Tony was heavily active in his community, belonging to the Woodcliff Lake Seniors and Westwood Elks, as well as volunteering over the years for Meals on Wheels, Valley Hospital, Park Ridge Police Reserves and TriBoro Ambulance Corps.

He retired from a long career in the printing industry as a lithographer through the ALA Printers Union Local #1. Upon leaving the printing industry, Tony worked as a custodian for Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale for almost 15 years.

The family will receive guests for a memorial visitation at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, on Thursday, Jan. 6 from 3 to 7 p.m., with a Celebration of Life at 6:30 p.m.

Memorial contributions can be made in Tonyʼs name to the Cat Crew Rescue in Oradell through paypal.me/catcrewrescue or venmo.com/u/catcrewrescue. Mary Jo AMATO

Mary Jo Amato, 64, of Hillsdale passed away peacefully on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021.

Beloved wife of Anthony. Devoted mother of Marc and Dana.

Born in Englewood, she lived in Hillsdale for 45 years. Mary Jowas a scientist with Pfizer, Pearl River. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Church in Hillsdale.

A Mass celebrating Mary Joʼs life and faith was held at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church, Hillsdale. Interment, Westwood Cemetery, Westwood.

Alwin

QUIRAND

Alwin Quirand, 88, of the Township of Washington and formerly of Hawley, Pennsylvania, and Moonachie, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021. Born in Antohovka, Poland, to the late Daniel and Ottiele Quirand. Before retiring, Alwin was a millwright mechanic for Maxwell House in Hoboken.

Beloved husband of 67 years to Adele (née Bohl) Quirand. Devoted father of Dr. Erwin Quirand and his late wife Noreen, Irene Messina and her husband Felix, and Sylvia Zozulia and her husband Michael.

Dear brother of the late Else Friede.

Loving grandfather of Matthew Quirand and his wife Katherine, Daniel Quirand, Philip Messina, Courtney Zozulia and Kristen Zozulia.

Interment, Redeemer Cemetery, Mahwah. Margaret C. HILLMAN

Margaret C. Hillman (née Wagner), 95, of Hasbrouck Heights, formerly of Park Ridge and Maywood, passed away on Friday, Dec. 24, 2021.

She was born in New York City to the late Catherine and William Wagner.

Before retiring, Margaret was a mail handler for the U.S. Post Office in South Hackensack. After retirement, she worked alongside her sister and nephew at The Flower Peddler in Nanuet as a floral designer.

Beloved wife of the late James Hillman. Devoted mother of Margaret “Meg” Hillman-Scalone and her husband George and the late Diane Hillman and Gary Hillman.

Dear sister of the late William and Joseph Wagner and Anna Mae Weiser.

Loving grandmother of Melissa Gordon, Michael, John, Christopher and Justin Hillman, and Mary Scalone. Cherished great-grandmother of Autumn Gordon.

The Mass at Corpus Christi R.C. Church and the interment following at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus, were private. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions to the Hasbrouck Heights Food Pantry would be appreciated.

Peter W. RICE

Peter W. Rice, 88, of Mahwah, formerly of Westwood, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.

Born in New York City to the late Elizabeth and Frank Rice, Peter was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War, serving 1950–1953. He attended New York University.

Peter was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox and Notre Dame football.

Before retiring, Peter worked for CitiCorp Mortgage in Woodcliff Lake and previously he was assistant treasurer for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City.

Beloved husband of Jane (née Davis) Rice. Devoted father of Peter W. Rice Jr. and his wife Christie and Thomas P. Rice and his partner David Long. Dear brother of the late Margie Pinto and Frank Rice. Loving grandfather of Meghan and Brian. Cherished uncle of many nieces and nephews. Christopher E. DOLAN

Christopher E. Dolan, 59, of Westwood passed away suddenly on Monday, Dec. 20, 2021.

Chris is survived by his beloved wife, Kim; his children Evelyn and Christopher; his father James; his brothers James and his wife Glynis, John, and Richard; as well as many nieces, nephews, coworkers and friends.

He is predeceased by his mother Rosemary, his sisters Mary Rose Cote and Kathleen Dolan-Giorgini, and his nephew Patrick Dolan.

Born in Westwood, Chris was a Motion Picture Electrician and union member of Local #52 IATSE NYC for over 40 years. He worked on such movies as “Wall Street” and “Black Rain” in his younger years, and later on television shows including “Oz,” “Damages,” and more recently “Wu-Tang: An American Saga.”

His greatest joy was celebrating his childrenʼs successes. He was so very proud of them in every way. Chris loved to tell a story and to hear a good story. Repeating them and sharing them was his specialty! He truly had the Irish gift of gab!

His vegetable garden was his passion. He enjoyed sharing the fruit of his labors with friends and neighbors.

He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and Giants. He loved to spend time at his second home on Lake Winnipesaukee in New Hampshire and at ORA in Melbourne Beach, Florida.

A Mass celebrating Chrisʼlife and faith was held at St. Andrewʼs R.C. Church in Westwood.

Memorial contributions can be made in Chrisʼname to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

James F. OATES

James F. Oates Sr., 88, of Emerson passed away on Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021.

Beloved husband of late Suzanne Theresa Oates. Devoted father of Colleen Merkel and her husband Ronald Jr., James Francis Oates Jr. and his wife Jean, Kerry Butkera and her husband Gary, and Tara Oates.

Loving grandfather of Mackenzie, Aidan, James, Kayla, Sean Patrick, Hunter and Tyler. Cherished great-grandfather of Hudson.

A Funeral Mass celebrating Jamesʼ life and faith was held at Church of the Assumption, Emerson. Interment, George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus.

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PASCACK VALLEY

Railway buffs to gather Jan. 14

Theyʼre back! The Bergen Rockland National Railway Historical Society hosts a rail-oriented event and a discussion of railroad events and local railroad news at its monthly meeting: Friday, Jan. 14. at 8 p.m. at the Closter Senior Center, 4 Lewis St.

This monthʼs meeting presentation, from the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, is about historic equipment that the Bergen-Rockland Club has helped the museum to restore. It also focuses on a review of winning photos from the chapter's 2020-2021 photo contest.

The meeting is open to all at no charge. Anyone interested in railroading's history and future is welcome.

For more information call Rich Harrington at (845) 6237634.

FROM PAGE 8

the Monday–Thursday before the craft to reserve your craft kit and it must be picked up that day. All ages. • Virtual Book It! Club with Miss Eileen meets live on the libraryʼs Facebook page Saturdays from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Stories, science, and more geared towards kids in primary grades.

R RI IV VE ER R V VA AL LE E 412 Rivervale Road (201) 391-2323 rivervalelibrary.org • Are you a tea lover or just getting started and want to taste and learn? Join the libraryʼs Tea Club! Sign up each month to receive a sample of a different variety of tea. The pick for January is Organic Lemon Ginger Herbal Tea from Steep. Pick up begins Jan. 3. River Vale residents only. Registration required. • Catch the film “Stillwater” (R, 2021) at the libraryʼs Movie Matinee on Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. Space is limited. Seating is on a first come, first served basis. All participants must sign a hold-harmless agreement. • The Mahjong Club will meet the first and third Tuesdays at the library, starting Jan. 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Bring friends or come alone and find new partners. Adult players only. Remember to bring your 2021 mahjong card and your own mahjong tiles, if possible. No need to sign up—just come enjoy the game! Masks required. All participants must sign a hold harmless agreement (if not previously signed). • Virtual Chair Yoga meets via Zoom on Thursday, Jan. 6 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This gentle form of yoga is designed for seniors and people with disabilities to help them strengthen, stretch, and tone the body, and to connect body, mind and spirit. Register for Zoom access.

T TO OW WN NS SH HI IP P O OF F

W WA AS SH HI IN NG GT TO ON N 144 Woodfield Road (201) 664-4586 twpofwashingtonpl.org • The library is currently

closed for indoor services

through Jan. 10. While the building is closed to the public, the library is operating via curbside and locker pickup, as well as home delivery. Call or visit the website for more information. • Chair Yoga with Jacki is returning in 2022, with sessions on the first and third Thursday of the month, February through April, and two class times to choose from:11 a.m. or noon. Price for residents is $12 for the series; for non-residents, $30. Registration is required and takes place Jan. 6 by phone only.

W WE ES ST TW WO OO OD D 49 Park Ave. (201) 664-0583 westwoodpubliclibrary.org • In Global E-Pals, kids grades 3–5 connect with students from around the world to learn about their culture, practice writing, and improve social skills through letter writing. Meets monthly on Google Meet. Next date: Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Register online. • Peek-A-Book Story Time (to age 5) is every Wednesday in January, 10:30–11 a.m., at the library. Children will listen to stories, sing, dance, do fingerplays, review numbers, colors, animals and more. Register online. • In the libraryʼs Luminaria craft program, grades 2–5 learn about the history of luminaria— paper lanterns—around the world grades K–3, is on Zoom Friday, Jan. 7, from 4 to 4:45 p.m. In this virtual program, kids create unique art with step-by-step instructions by professional artist Barbara Frieberg. Register online for Zoom link. • Friends of the Library Book Sale Saturday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Back and in person on the second Saturday of the month. Books, magazines, DVDs and

Reporter’s Notebook:

FROM PAGE 27

dollars on infrastructure projects while others held the funds to further clarify what they might be spent on.

As 2021 finished out, we covered the Nov. 2 General Election including the lone mayoral contest in Washington Township, where incumbent Mayor Peter Calamari narrowly beat back Independent councilman-challenger Michael DeSena, plus a slew of council races and local and regional school board races.

In a Pascack Valley upset, voters overwhelmingly approved of Republican challenger Jack Ciattarelli over incumbent Democrat Murphy. However, in Westwood, a majority of voters chose Murphy.

Statewide, Murphy bested Ciattarelli by about 74,000 votes, or 3% of votes, while in Bergen County, Murphy and Lieut. Governor Sheila Oliver outpolled Ciattarelli and former Sen. Diane Allen 52.5% to 45%, 145,150 to 129,644.

We reported that Emerson led PV towns in voter turnout, with 52.4% turnout, but that countywide only about 2% of registered voters took advantage of the firsttime nine-day early voting window.

River Vale and Woodcliff Lake, both hosts to an early voting site, logged 849 and 366 early voters, respectively. Other PV town totals ranged 123 to 271 early votes. (See “Election ʻ21: Emerson led in area voter turnout, at 52.39%,” Pascack Press, Dec. 6, 2021.)

Staff writer Michael Olohan covers Pascack Valley and Northern Valley towns and school districts. In 2021 the NJ chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists recognized him for excellence in grassroots reporting. He welcomes your news tips at pascackpress@thepressgroup.net and (201) 664-2105. and then make their own beautiful designs. In-person Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Register online. • Curious Minds (grades 1–3) on Google Meet Thursday, Jan. 6 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. In this monthly program, kids learn about bridges, airplanes, mummies, castles, space, and more. Register online. • 3D Art: Penguins, for more for great prices. Donations for the sale are collected Mondays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. • The next title in the Reading for Equity book discussion series is the “The Piano Lesson,” the 1987 play for which American playwright August Wilson received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The group meets on Zoom Monday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Register for access.

Towns: Sine die, reorgs set

FROM PAGE 1

On Tuesday, Jan. 4, reorganization meetings occur in Emerson, Hillsdale, Park Ridge, River Vale and Westwood.

In Emerson, the Jan. 4 at 7:30 p.m. reorg meeting welcomes back incumbent Republican Brian Gordon and newcomer Kelly Moore, who defeated Democratic challengers Kate Stutzel and Michael DeOrio.

In Hillsdale, the Jan. 4 meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. for sine die and reorg starts at 7 p.m. The reorg meeting welcomes back Republican incumbents John Escobar and Council President Abby Lundy, who ran uncontested in the Nov. 2 General Election.

In Park Ridge, the Jan. 4 meeting at Borough Hall begins at 6 p.m. for sine die, and the reorg meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. On Nov. 2, 2021 incumbent Democrat councilmen Matthew Capilli and John Ferguson were reelected in an uncontested election.

In River Vale, the Jan. 4 reorg meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. No mayor or council races occurred this year. Borough Clerk Karen Campanelli said there would be no sine die meeting. The meeting will be inperson only.

In Westwood, the Jan. 4 sine die/reorg meeting will be in Borough Hall, not the Community Center as originally advertised, said borough clerk Karen Hughes. The sine die meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. and reorg meeting at 7.

In a super-close race for a pair of three-year council seats, incumbent Cheryl Hodges, a Republican, easily won reelection while incumbent Jodi Murphy, a Democrat, narrowly lost her first re-election bid to Republican Anthony Greco —by eight votes, at first, and nine following a recount.

In Woodcliff Lake, the sine die/reorg meeting will be held Thursday, Jan. 6 at 7 p.m. via the Zoom platform. On Nov. 2, Democratic newcomer Jennifer Margolis and Democratic incumbent Jacqueline Gadaleta defeated Republican challengers Michael Casale and Dianna Cereijo.

For complete 2021 election coverage, see our website.

GRECO

H Hu ug ge e h he el lp p! !

PASCACK VALLEY

Unity Bank and its employees have donated $34,200 to 19 food pantries in New Jersey and Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, including the Helping Hand Food Pantry of Hillsdale. The funds were contributed by Unity Bank employees and matched by the bank as part of a special annual holiday community service project that was started more than 10 years ago. Above, Denise Pallatta of Helping Hand Food Pantry (left) accepts an $1,800 donation from Unity Bank area manager Nihal Birdir.