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Friends grieve after Fort Lee teen falls from cliffs

A TRIBUTE: “Wish I could go back a year ago today and just stay there,” tweeted 16-year-old John Graniello, the boy who fell to his death Friday night from the Palisades just north of the George Washington Bridge.

Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot
Photo Credit: Cliffview Pilot

View from cliff where John Graniello fell

“None of this feels real,” wrote his friend, Rebecca Rodriguez, 16, of Fort Lee. “I was his first friend when he moved here when we were both innocent kids in middle school. I miss those days.”


A FAREWELL: I was so close to John Graniello, not even words can explain ho w much I love and miss him. I was just with him on Friday at McDonalds. We had an argument two weeks ago and he gave me a cupcake he baked for me in his foods class. READ MORE….


Graniello already had a heavy month at school with finals, as well as a weekend job at Fairway Market on Anderson Avenue and having to take the SATs at Ramapo College a week ago today.

But the junior was still upbeat and positive, as always, his friends said early Saturday morning.

Most people “didn’t even know what an amazing person he really is,” wrote Hanna Jurek of Leonia.

“Nicest kid I’ve ever met,” added Tyler Sokolich, also 16.

A family is devastated and a community of teens who knew Graniello is reeling from the shock.


THE FIRST REPORT: A 16-year-old Fort Lee boy fell nearly 250 feet to his death from the cliffs along the Palisades north of the George Washington Bridge last night after he climbed through a three-wire safety fence while with an Edgewater girl, police said this morning. READ MORE….


“You were one of my best friends,” tweeted Jessica Rae Pych. “I learned so much from you and suddenly [you’re] gone.”

“The times we had were just funny and unforgettable[,] bro,” Fort Lee High School classmate Andrew Troya wrote on his Facebook page. “From the time you helped me when [I] was sick to just simple days chilling…. We all miss you already bro but [you’re] in a better place.”

“Life is crazy,” added Matt Mattera. “Seriously, anything can happen at any given time. Enjoy every breath you take, cause you never know when it will be your last.”


Visiting is from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at Hunt Stellato Funeral Home, 1601 Palisade Ave., Fort Lee. Funeral Mass 11 a.m. Wednesday at Madonna Church, followed by interment in Madonna Cemetery. Information, condolences, CLICK HERE:




One friend quoted Kanye West:

“And wouldn’t change by the change, or the game, or the fame, when he came, in the game, he made his own name.”

Send remembrances and/or photos of John to:

cliffviewpilot@gmail.com






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