OBITUARIES

Joseph R. MARA

Joseph R. Mara, 66, of Westwood, formerly of Emerson, suddenly passed away, surrounded by loving family, on Sunday, Nov.

28, 2021.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife Gail (née Herzich); his children, Kimberly, Joseph D. and his wife Amy; three grandchildren, Tyler, Olivia, and Joseph E.; brother Bruce Mara and his wife Patty; brother-in-law Frank Herzich and wife Pat; sister-inlaw Maureen Montany and husband Bob; and sister-in-law Cathy Wimmer and her husband Don. Loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.

He was a heat and frost insulator and a member of Local #32 for 41 years. Proud member of the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department for 49 years. He served as chief of the department in 1996 and 1997. Ex-fire official and fire inspector for the Borough of Emerson. He will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral Mass was held at Church of the Assumption, Emerson. Interment, Westwood Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Emerson Volunteer Fire Department.

Richard J. PAVONE

Richard J. Pavone, 79, of River Vale passed away on Monday, Nov. 29, 2021.

Beloved husband of MaryAnne Pavone. Devoted father of Andrea Velthaus and her husband, Stephen, and Richard A. Pavone and his wife, Carey. Loving grandfather of Matthew, Michael, Lindsay, Dominick, and Julian.

Richard was a proud member of the River Vale Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral Mass was held at Church of the Assumption, Emerson. Entombment, Garden of Memories, Township of Washington.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made in Richardʼs name to the River Vale Fire Department Association, 330 Rivervale Road, River Vale, NJ 07675.

Club News?

Let us help promote your club or organization. Send all news to pascackpress@thepressgroup.net or mail to: Pascack Press, P.O. Box 335, Westwood, NJ 07675 Marie E. BRETT

Marie E. Brett (née Farrissey), 85, of River Vale, formerly of Dumont, passed away on Mon-

day, Nov. 29, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.

Beloved wife of Donald E. Brett for over 60 treasured years. Loving and devoted mom of Donald and Patricia Brett. Treasured aunt of her many loving nieces and nephews, as well as her cherished grandnieces and grandnephews.

Marie is predeceased by her sisters, Catherine McCardle and Margaret McGavin, and her brother, Francis Farrissey.

She was a graduate of St. Cecilia High School in Englewood where she was a Saints cheerleader and created memories that lasted a lifetime.

Marie met the love of her life, Don, while working at The Equitable Life Insurance Company. After having a family, Marie did what she loved best: raise her children. Volunteering at St. Therese School/Parish became a fulltime job and she loved every minute of it. Years later she went back to work at Scholastic, Call Center (where she received an award for her professionalism) and Tenafly Schools.

Marieʼs pillar of strength was her strong faith and deep devotion

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to the Blessed Mother, St. Therese and many other saints. She devoted part of each day to watching daily mass, saying the rosary and praying for those on her prayer list.

Marie was well liked by everyone she met and she always looked for the good in each person. Visiting the Jersey Shore for many years brought her joy and peace. Her smile, gentle manner and homemade crumbcake lit up a room. Marie touched many hearts and will never be forgotten.

Services were held at St. Therese of Lisieux R.C. Church, Cresskill, followed by entombment at Garden of Memories, Township of Washington.

Marieʼs family would greatly appreciate donations in her memory to Villa Marie Claire, 12 West Saddle River Road, Saddle River NJ 07458, or Rosary Hill Home, 600 Linda Ave., Hawthorne, NY 10523.

John F.

KRISTOFICH

John F. Kristofich, 87, of the Township of Washington passed away on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021.

Beloved husband of Mary

Kristofich. Devoted father of Robby and John Kristofich. Loving grandfather of Jonathan, Mary, Gabrielle, Johncarlo, Michael, and Luka. Cherished great-grandfather of Mateo, Michela, and Tomas.

A Funeral Mass was held at Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Township of Washington.

Jerry F.

PERVINICH

Jerry Fabian Pervinich, 91, of Westwood passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 26, 2021.

He was born in Chicago, Ill. across the street from the old White Sox baseball stadium, Comiskey Park. When his birthplace was torn down to make way for the new White Sox stadium, Jerry often joked that he was born on second base.

He was predeceased by his parents, Jerome “Jerry” Pervinich and Milka (née Elezovich), and his sister, Nikolina Hluchan (née Pervinich).

After his father was killed in a construction accident while Jerry and sister, Nikolina, were still quite young, his mother moved the family to West New York, N.J., where Jerry grew up. He graduated from St. Joseph of the Palisades High School and earned a BA in journalism from Fordham University.

His career started with the New York Herald Tribune. After serving honorably with the U.S. Navy (initially as a reservist in February 1951 and then on active duty from February 1952 through December 1953), Jerry returned to civilian life, working for the Bergen Record, Paramus Post and Ridgewood News (covering local high school sports, especially football).

He also worked for the Equitable Life Insurance Company, Diamond International, the College Boards and Educational Testing Service.

He met Marlene Ann Squeri on a blind date. They wed in April 1957 and lived happily in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., until her life was cut short in October 2006. In May 2016 he returned to New Jersey.

Although Jerry and Marlene had no children of their own, they had numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and godchildren among their extended family of Squeris, Feccis, Hluchans, Sgombics and Kellys, as well as countless friends and readers who will miss Uncle Jerry dearly.

Services were held at St. Andrewʼs Church, Westwood. Burial, Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Andrewʼs Food Pantry, 120 Washington Ave., Westwood, NJ 07675.

Howard D. FEILER

Howard David Feiler, 73, of Montvale, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021, surrounded by his family, following a twomonth epic battle to recover from a massive heart attack suffered on Sept. 22, 2021.

Howard is survived by Margaret, his beloved wife of 49 years; his children, Mandy and Dara Feiler; son-in-law Matthew D. Burns; grandson Maxwell Howard Burns; and brother Fred Feiler.

He is predeceased by his mother, Mildred Feiler, and father, Lester Feiler.

Howard was born in Manhattan and raised on Long Island. He graduated from Bethpage High School. After his motherʼs passing

FROM PAGE 1

es.” Tovo brushed off the comment, saying, “Thereʼs no violations there.”

DeSena added, “They meet the definition of what our [abandoned properties] ordinance says.”

DeSena, who fell short of his election challenge for mayor in November, said he would take Tovo to the homes and show him “2-foot weeds growing out of the gutters. Thereʼs holes in the windows, holes in the roofs that meet the definition of what our ordinance says.”

Tovo noted recent problems with residential property maintenance on Linwood Avenue and Adams Place. He said the property violations go on “way too long.”

Tovo emphasized most properties DeSena referenced did not fit the abandoned homes ordinance. He noted when maintenance is performed by the DPW to maintain a privately owned property, and the bill remains unpaid, officials prepare a lien on the property to be approved by council.

Tovo said so far property owners owing the township for property maintenance work have paid such overdue bills before a property lien was presented to council.

“And weʼre largely dealing with the same property owners over and over again,” Tovo said.

When council vice president Desserie Morgan wondered what happens when a property owner continues to not maintain property after paying off an overdue bill, Tovo said the process starts over.

Tovo said he would contact Bergen County officials to see if they had suggestions on dealing with property owners who continually fail to maintain properties.

Intersection upgrades coming

In March, the township purchased easements for $158,000 on seven lots adjacent to the Pascack Road–Washington Avenue intersection for county intersection overhaul.

The seven lots were owned by 660 Pascack Realty, whose principal owner is James Kourgelis, owner of Seasons Catering, the venerable catering and event hall nearby.

Over the past decade, and most recently in 2013, Kourgelis had been involved with applications to site other ventures adjacent to the nearby Pascack Road–Washington Avenue intersection, where the three vacant, deteriorating homes stand.

While traveling via car on Washington Avenue heading east, a Pascack Press reporter observed that at least three of the homes had a large “X” in red and white covering the entryways, several broken windows, and what appeared to be ivy overtaking one entryway.

The previously proposed ventures for the corner lots — none of which came to pass — have included a parking lot, a CVS, a DunkinʼDonuts, a liquor store, and then townhomes.

Kourgelis also reportedly offered to sell the properties back to the township during former Mayor Janet Sobkowiczʼs tenure and was reportedly told the township could not afford to buy them.

None of the proposed developments have materialized or been approved.

Kourgelis did not return our phone calls and email requests for comment for this story.

Under Ordinance 18-20, passed in 2018, the township amended its abandoned property ordinance and authorized the identification of abandoned properties and establishment of an abandoned properties list.

It was not clear whether the properties in question met enough specific criteria in the ordinance to qualify as abandoned.

Criteria include property not legally occupied for six months that: •Needs rehabilitation and none has taken place for six months; •Saw construction begun and discontinued on the for at least six months; •Had at least one installment of property tax remaining unpaid and delinquent; or • Has been determined to be a nuisance by the property maintenance officer.

So-called “nuisance properties” may meet any of five criteria under state law, including property:

•Found unfit for human occupancy; •Of condition that increases the risk of fire to itself or neighboring homes;

• That carries potential health or safety hazards that the owner has failed to remedy; • Has vermin, debris, or physical deterioration creating health and safety hazards the owner has failed to remedy; and • Is dilapidated in its appearance, affecting the economic welfare of residents in proximity to the property and that the owner has failed to remedy.

A township abandoned properties list from 2019 — the only year we were told is available — showed three properties listed, including tracts on Chestnut Street, Linwood Avenue, and Fern Street.

No updates on the properties were available by press time.

According to the ordinance, any owner or in-state creditor who violates any provision of this article or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be subject to a fine of $1,500 for each offense. Every day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.

Fines assessed shall be recoverable from the owner or creditor and shall be a lien on the property as described in state law.

Moreover, the rule notes, any out-of-state creditor who violates any provision of this article or of the rules and regulations issued hereunder shall be subject to a fine of $2,500 for each day a separate violation of this article exists.

Fines assessed under this article shall be recoverable from the owner or creditor and shall be a lien on the property.

In addition to the Seasons properties, last year several members, including DeSena, had noted a 3.2 acre parcel at 450 Pascack Road — the target of purchase negotiations by the township following its $430,000 offer this summer — included a poorly maintained home, barn and garage, with several members wondering why it was not cited for property maintenance violations.

Township officials told Pascack Press that there were no prior property maintenance violations issued to 450ʼs owners.

Negotiations that began this summer for 450 Pascack Road are confined to closed council sessions with irregular updates from the mayor, administrator, or town attorney.

On Nov. 8, councilman Steven Cascio said he was okay with the township doing property maintenance work as long as the township “does not get stuck with the bill.”

Tovo told Cascio that during his tenure the township has been reimbursed for every maintenance bill for work on private property where owners have not maintained the grounds.

Tovo said due to tree and property maintenance contractors being busy, upkeep must often wait until the DPW can make the time. “Itʼs very difficult to find anyone to do it.”

At least three houses in the Township of Washington — these are on Pascack Road between Jefferson and Washington avenues,near Seasons Catering — are unoccupied and dilapidated.The placards warn emergency service workers it’s unsafe to enter.(Pascack Press photos taken Dec.7.)

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Obituaries:

FROM PAGE 46

when he was 18 he accompanied a friend to visit Harper College (later named Binghamton University) in upstate New York, where he later enrolled and received a BA in chemistry. There he hosted a radio show, “The Bovine Pleasure Hour,” blaming the choice of title on the decade (1960s).

He continued his professional training at Penn State University where he received his MS in Environmental Pollution Control. He was a member of the National Guard during the Vietnam war and called into active duty to help the community of Wilkes-Barre, Pa. after Hurricane Agnes caused the Susquehanna River to flood in 1972.

His career as a licensed professional engineer and certified PMP spanned over 40 years where he designed, installed, and operated remediation systems encompassing use of a wide variety of environmental cleanup technologies.

In retirement he discovered a new talent in woodworking, building countless furniture pieces which are currently in almost every room of his daughterʼs home.

He loved classical music, Billy Joel, the Beatles, an occasional cigar, sipping a Manhattan cocktail (with Makerʼs Mark), and the New York Yankees.

He was one of the most vocal dads behind the backstop at softball games. In recent years he took great joy in seeing his grandson play T-ball and Little League.

Above all else, Howard would likely say, his most important job was that of being a father to his two girls. He never once missed a game, concert, play, lesson, rehearsal, or practice and always encouraged them both to follow their dreams. Some his most treasured moments were shared with them through attending Yankees games, the Photo Plus Expo and shows in New York City. Through his unwavering support, love, and passion it was clear that that being a dad was the most important and treasured job he had.

Because of his lifelong love and support of the arts, memorial contributions can be made in Howardʼs name to National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, youngarts.org, or the National Endowment for the Arts, arts.gov. Denis G.

GRAMPONE

Denis C. Grampone, 71, of Westwood, formerly of Queens, NewYork, passed away on Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021.

Denis is survived by his siblings-in-law Rick Sutton and his wife Mary and Patrice Sutton as well as his nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara, his parents Sylvo and Bernardine, and his brother Ralph.

Memorial contributions can be made in Denisʼs name to Canine Companions at canine.org/donate.

Arlene J. BURGIS

Arlene J. Margasak Burgis of Park Ridge passed away, at home with her husband and children by her side, on Dec. 2, 2021.

She was born Jan. 13, 1951, in Philadelphia, Pa. to Rosalind and Sidney Margasak.

Arlene was passionate about her career as a special education kindergarten teacher in Englewood. She taught education for 25 years teaching kids how to read and write. She also achieved a masterʼs degree in education.

She had many friends and is loved by many. She enjoyed her family, friendships, shopping, travel, the shore, reading, painting, movies, music, her cats and rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 10 wonderful years, Charles Davis; her children, Jordan, and Alison Burgis; her stepchildren: Ariel, Danielle and Corey Davis; and her brother, Larry Margasak.

A graveside service was held at Beth El Cemetery, Paramus.