OBITUARIES

GIUSEPPE CROCE

NOVEMBER 3, 1942 –MARCH 11, 2022

Thomas J.

CONAHAN

Thomas J. “Tucker” Conahan, 66, of River Vale, passed away unexpectedly at his home early Monday morning, March 7, 2022. Born and raised in Hazleton, he was the son of the late Joseph B. and Elizabeth (McHugh) Conahan. Tucker was a graduate of Bishop Hafey High School class of 1974. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting from Kings College.

Tucker began a career in the beverage business that spanned 20 years, beginning at MidWay Beverage in the Wilkes-Barre area. In 1989, he sold MidWay and relocated to New Jersey. There he was manager and partner of Brewers World, a wine, liquor, and beverage business, located in Dumont. He sold the business and properties in 2008.

During his career in New Jersey, Tucker was an active member of the community, sponsoring many youth and adult sports teams. He was also a very active supporter of the local fire and police benevolent associations.

Outside of work, Tucker enjoyed golf trips with his brothers and fishing with his friends. He will be remembered by his loving family as a generous and caring brother with a quick Irish wit. His way of connecting with friends and family was to recall his days at 2nd and Vine, D. A. Harman and JBC Trucking. He loved the history that he and his family shared.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Betty Conahan.

Tucker is survived by the following loving and devoted brothers and sisters: Dr. Joseph B. Conahan and wife Margaret, Dr. Francis Conahan and wife Sally, Attorney Paula DeJoseph and husband Daniel, Elizabeth Oldham and husband James, Michael Conahan and wife Barbara, Ann Marie Vita and husband Frank, Therese Tedesco and husband Don, and Dr. James Conahan and wife Molly.

Also surviving are numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Social Services, 106 S. Church St., Hazleton, PA 18201 or Annunciation Parish, Church of St. Gabriel, 122 S. Wyoming St., Hazleton, PA 18201.

Antonia D. PISARRI

Antonia D. Pisarri, 95, of River Vale passed away Saturday, March 12, 2022 at home.

She is survived by her four sons, Ozzie, Thomas, Vanny and Joseph, and their wives, Linda and Laurine, and partner Jamie Lynne; her nine grandchildren, Ozzie, Carly, Ryan, Adrian, Melissa, Giovanni, Joseph, Michael, and Michelle; and four great-grandchildren, Anthony, Sophia, Connor and Bryson.

Grandma, or Deme as she was known to her family, spent her years feeding loved ones with her secret meatball recipe and endless pasta dishes. She fed everyone from her family and friends, to the deer, turkeys, and raccoons who waited outside her door for their corn and peanut butter sandwiches. She had a deep love for animals, the Yankees, the Rugrats and movie classics. Her grandchildren remember swimming in her pool, her infamous candy drawer, and the large taped notes on the wall she used to remember important moments. She was headstrong, funny, determined, and was a true family matriarch in every sense.

She leaves behind the business that she helped to grow with her late husband Oswald “Ozzie” Pisarri, Eagle Paint and Wallpaper. The two of them worked seamlessly together to establish what would be their livelihood as of 1948. Their home was always a place where people were welcomed and taken care of, and it seems appropriate that they created a livelihood that did just the same. Even in Demeʼs final days she asked how business was, and if everyone was doing okay down at the store.

She knew how to care, and how to love. Love, love, love, love—that is exactly what you would hear at the end of every conversation. She lived life with love and gave it to every soul she met.

Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Save The Animals Rescue Team II (S.T.A.R.T. II) of Bergen County, and kindly include “Eagle Paint” in the notes.

Mark J.

BRACKENBURY

Mark Joseph Brackenbury, 57, of Little Egg Harbor, formerly of Emerson, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his loved ones, on March 13, 2022. Survived by his wife, Amy ViolaBrackenbury; sons Mark Jr. and wife

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Patricia, Evan, and Craig; grandson Jackson; his mother, Amelia (née Weinschreider); siblings Scott and wife Jennifer, Teresa Angelakos and husband Peter, Jeanette Kammlott and husband Robert, Andrew and wife Debbie and Catherine Brackenbury; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

He was predeceased by his father, Milton.

Mark also leaves behind his four fur babies, Bella, Tripp, Carolina and George.

Mark was a volunteer firefighter, starting at the Old Tappan Fire Department at the age of 16 alongside his father. He continued volunteering at the Emerson Fire Department, in which he was still an active member. He served as chief in 2016 and 2017.

Mark loved serving his community. His favorite time of year at the fire department was the holidays. He and his wife met at the fire department during the holiday season, so it has always held a special place in both their hearts. The bond that has been formed with these men and women will be carried on and will never be forgotten.

Mark was an accomplished director of IT. He graduated and attained a masterʼs degree from Stevens Institute of Technology. Mark worked for Pfizer for 14 years and was presently working for PDI/Nice-Pak in Woodcliff Lake.

Mark loved the water and the beach. He and his wife made their dreams come true when they moved down the shore on the water. Mark was happiest when he was there. He loved barbecuing on the deck, boating, jet-skiing, dining out, watching football on Sundays, and spending time at home with his family.

Mark was a happy, fun, loving guy. He lived a short life, but a full one. He will be dearly missed by many.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Markʼs memory to Emerson Fire Department, 146 Thomas Ave., Emerson, NJ 07630, or Rescue Dogs Rock (rescuedogsrock.org).

Gary J. REKUCKI

Gary James Rekucki, 64, of the Township of Washington, formerly of Teaneck, passed away suddenly and peacefully at his home on March 9, 2022. Beloved husband of Marianne Rekucki. Devoted father of Dylan Rekucki and Luke Rekucki of the Township of Washington.

Cherished son of the late Walter and Marion Rekucki of Teaneck.

Dear brother of Bart Rekucki of Ridgewood, Susan Houck of Ellicott City, Maryland, Carol Rekucki of Englewood, and Laura Collins of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Loving uncle of Bart, Tucker, Jack, Kelly,Will, Olivia, Grace, Billy, Jamie, Antoinette, John, Nick, and Andrew.

Gary earned his B.S and M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Locally, he was a proud supporter of Westwood High School football and lacrosse, and a parishioner at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Township of Washington.

He loved outdoor adventure and enjoying his family at home. He took great pride in his yard and hosting family pool parties. His storytelling, great humor, and hearty laughter made him an instant friend to all he met.

Gary enjoyed car restoration and was an avid collector of antique British cars. His mechanical ability won the admiration and respect of all.

Prior to retirement, Gary had a finance management career at Pan Am, Sony, Warner Communications, and Bio Reference Labs.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate your generosity to St. Jude Childrenʼs Hospital and/or the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research.

Frances A. GALVIN

Frances A. Galvin, 89, of Cedar Crest in Pompton Plains, formerly of Montvale, died on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Frances is survived by her loving husband, Donald, her daughters, Grace Galvin and Nancy Sierra, son-in-law Joseph Buono, and her grandchildren, Joshua, Deborah, and Adam Eike.

She is also survived by her siblings, Dorothy and Thomas, and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Matthew and Edward.

Committal service was at the Maryrest Cemetery in Mahwah.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Francesʼmemory can be made to the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, P.O. Box 339, Peapack, NJ 07977.

Frank A. CONNELL

Frank A. Connell Jr., 89, of Woodcliff Lake, passed into eternal life on Monday, March 14, 2022.

Devoted father of Nancy Gacek and Brian Connell and his wife, Linda. Dear brother of Joan Connell, Rev. John Andrew Connell, and Carol Lampert. Loving grandfather of Sarah Gacek and Billy and Brianna Connell.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Agnes Connell, and his grandson, Brendon Gacek, both in 2003.

For 41 years Frank was the president of Frank Connell Associates Inc., supplying Brandt coin and currency handling equipment to the financial industry.

He graduated from St. Johnʼs University and served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1962.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted for De La Salle Brothers, 810 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738.

FROM PAGE 1

earned and already displayed on virtually every square inch of wall space.

Lee Tremble, who recently passed the reins to his son Sean, says “Itʼll be fun. Weʼre closed on Mondays now because we donʼt have enough staff, so you canʼt get a beer, canʼt get a hamburger or anything like that —so we wonʼt burden everybody on a Monday — but we will have cake and coffee and we may even open that night around 4 oʼclock, weʼll have to see.”

Every month for the rest of the year will bring “a different featured burger, contests constantly, write me your favorite memory of the Iron Horse in 50 words or less, it goes on,” Tremble told Pascack Press on March 16.

And he shared the restaurantʼs “Sneak Peek” secret, which will come to patrons in sealed white envelopes, with instructions. We wonʼt spoil the surprise(s).

The building, just off the tracks, started out as Meyerʼs Park Hotel, dating to the 1870s.

It evolved into the Park Tavern, then made its way to the care of Marion and Dudley Tremble, Bill Noonan, and Lee Tremble. The Iron Horse picked up power and earned its chops on stuffed burgers and demonstrable love for its clientele.

In 2006, on the occasion of his accepting Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Councilʼs (BVC) Business Volunteer of the Year, he spoke with Pascack Press writer Kristin Beuscher, who observed, “There is nary a segment of the borough in which Tremble hasnʼt lent and helping hand. Among the many organizations, boards and committees thatʼs heʼs either helped to found, lead, been a member of or donated his time: Westwood Heritage Society; the Thomas J. Riley Riley Senior Center at Westwood House; Westwood Baseball Association; Westwood Athletic Alliance, Westwood and Township of Washington Education Foundation; Westwood Rotary; Pascack Valley Hospitalʼs Board of Directors, Silver Open and Community Services and Community Relations boards; the boroughʼs Borough Hall Building, Centennial, Home for the Holidays and 9/11 committees; Spectrum for Living, the Board of Health; David Goldberg Child Care Center; the American Heart Association; the Bergen County Special Services Board of Education and the Westwood Substance Abuse Committee.” (Weʼll add to that Bergen Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels North Jersey.)

Tremble said then, “I need to have very little parameters around what I do. I donʼt need triplicate forms and approvals to do what I do, because I move too fast. Iʼm a lot like Don Quixote in the fact that I will attack a windmill, and then once Iʼve attacked it, I need the people behind me to finish the job because Iʼve already found another windmill and Iʼm on my way.”

Sean has been at the restaurant since he was 16, starting as a busboy and working his way up.

He says the crush of keeping quality up while staffing fell off a cliff is taking a toll on him physically, but he still loves showing off the brass bell on the roof, overlooking Veterans Memorial Park.

Lee took this reporter on a tour of the restaurant and the former residential areas upstairs on March 15 and inundated him with stories the likes of which proved the venue has a life of its own. The place has absorbed decades of energy in its ample woodwork and railroad memorabilia, and it and Lee seemed made for each other. A good thing.

The most resonant stories were those that featured happy coincidences, many of which Lee deftly orchestrated.

In the original restaurant space, its former gift shop “caboose,”and “new room,” for those counting from the 1980s, he annotates most of his tales by table number.

Four years ago, Tremble noted, the restaurant served more than 100,000 customers a year, many of whom are regulars. He said, “We were ranked ʻBest Friesʼ in Bergen County by the Bergen Record, and ʻBest Burgerʼseveral times by (201) Magazine and others.”

Of awards, he said, “Weʼve got milk crates and milk crates and milk crates” of them.

Both he and Sean described the cut of the pandemic, the difficulties it wrought in supplies and staffing.

Lee falls quieter in recalling the many patrons heʼs known over the years — these decades — who are no longer with the family.

He laughed warmly in describing the slight scandal he caused by wearing his flowered shirt, and sandals, to a dear friendʼs funeral.

He touches the end of the bar to remember a patron, to feel his presence there. That was his spot.

Here, Leeʼs motherʼs hand has written the prices in their restaurantʼs first menu — or bill of fare, appropriate to the “restaurant… cafe… gathering place… down by the railroad tracks!”

And promised right inside the trifold: Enjoy the crocks of coleslaw and pickles served at your table.

He shows off, with pride, the small marker at Josieʼs table, Josie having shown up a half-hour early (at 11 a.m.)for opening day and was The Iron Horseʼs first customer.

Lee describes onetime frustration with his Budweiser distributor that resolved into a virtuoso performance of customer service: the Oct. 16, 2016 delivery of an order via the companyʼs famous Clydesdales.

Among the treasures Tremble

lingers over longest are the framed collages of former employees. Heʼs sent kids off to culinary school and says many of his employees have gone on to become chefs, doctors, lawyers, assistant attorneys general, members of rock bands, and successful businesspeople.

The restaurant counts among its most famous patrons Gene “Stick” Michael, Lawrence Taylor, Ed Lopat, Buddy Hassett, Willard Marshall, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Brigatti, Dean Friedman, Bart Oats, Harry Carson, Billy Sample, Rick Cerone, Mary Higgins Clark, Mary Jane Clark, and the monarch of the Philippines.

M A R C H 2 1 , 2 0 2 2 • P A S C A C K V A L L E Y P R E S S

The Westwood Volunteer Fire Department is pleased to announce its annual Community Service Scholarship Program for the college academic year beginning September 2022.

The Westwood Fire Department has been awarding scholarships since 1981.

The program awards two $1,000 scholarships each year. The scholarship award is paid directly to the college or university the student will attend and is applied toward such items as tuition, room and board, fees and books.

Applicants must be a current high school senior and a resident of Westwood, a Westwood Fire department member, or the child of a Westwood Fire Department member, and apply and file the appropriate admission application forms at any college or university that he or she may be interested in attending.

Each scholarship winner must present an acceptance letter to an accredited college or university in order for the award to be paid to the institution.

All applicants must complete the Westwood Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship Application, verify a record of volunteer service to the citizens of Westwood with a letter from the community service organization where the student volunteers. This letter must certify their service, and state the approximate number of hours of

Memories from friends

Borough booster Mike

WESTWOOD

WVFD scholarships available volunteer service they provided during the past year. Applicants also write an essay of approximately 500 words on how their volunteer service to the Borough of Westwood affected their lives. The Westwood Fire Department Scholarship Committee administers the program. A separate Scholarship Review Committee comprised of leaders of area volunteer organizations reviews the scholarship applications, requests additional information if needed and recommends candidates to receive the awards. The scholarship selections are based on scholastic achievement, extra-curricular activities and community service. They are not decided based on financial need. Eligible applicants are encouraged to grab an application packet from the department at westwoodfire.org. Submissions must be postmarked no later than Sunday May 1, 2022.

Fitzsimmons, owner of Westwood Gallery, told us on March 15, “My appreciation of Lee and the Iron Horse dates to 2008 when we were working on The Taste of Westwood. The culture of mutual support and congeniality among the restaurants was the opposite of the Ray Kroc (McDonaldʼs) strategy of crushing the competition. If you were out of power or needed freezer space, Lee and The Iron Horse Restaurant were there to help. Their priority remains the community they serve.” He added, “Lee is often referred to as the unofficial mayor of Westwood. In fact (no offense to Mayor Arroyo) he accomplishes more behind the scenes and under the radar and he could if he held elected office. Between Leeʼs cell phone and one or two others, they could solve any problem you might have had.”

Fitzsimmons said, “Ask any Little League coach, senior center, scout troop, or countless other organizations who have been the beneficiaries of The Horseʼs generosity.”

Beth Dell, this yearʼs Borough Council president, told us, “Mention Westwood to an outsider and the first thing they connect to is The Iron Horse. A landmark famous for its cole slaw, pickles, stuffed burgers, fries, wings and proprietor. (The Octoberfest themed menu featuring sauerbraten and potato pancakes is also pretty famous.)”

She said, “This beloved

restaurant and the friendly, welcoming greeting that comes from the legendary Lee and Annie Tremble, now son Sean and his wife Nicky, has been a Westwood institution for decades.” She said, “This is where I introduced new Westwood mainstay Lauren Letizia to Lee Tremble. It was a meeting that could have lasted about 10 minutes but instead, as Lee offered up so much Westwood history to Laurenʼs eager and absorbent mind, it lasted hours.” Dell recalled that after recovering from a major health issue in 2012, then Councilmember Peter Grefrath (now emeritus) hosted the first major event at the Iron Horse upon its reopening from fire repairs. She said, “Almost anyone can connect a memory to the Iron Horse, whether itʼs the High School Woodington Players, graduation class brunch, fundraisThe scene in 2016 after the Budweiser Clydesdales made a delivery to the Iron Horse.(Bergen County Aerial Media screenshot.) ers for so many causes, local groups meeting in the upstairs room, a bite and a beverage before, or after, the Home For The Holidays Parade, sometimes causing one to miss the parade entirely.” Dell added, “Because Lee Tremble has been so generous over the years, the Horseʼs impact reaches well beyond the doors of 20 Washington Avenue. Limitless school feasts, such as International Day, were granted wares for consumption. Tricky tray prizes were provided for countless fundraisers. Requested food, ice, paper products or whatever could be offered for any other circumstance, event or gathering, including fellow Westwood restaurants in a pinch, was. Lee never said no.” For menu, gallery, and much more, visit theironhorse.com.