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Vander Plaat Funeral Home

Obituaries
Bergen County Mom Nancy Grasso Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle Bergen County Mom Nancy Grasso Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle
Bergen County Mom Nancy Grasso Dies After Fearless Cancer Battle Beloved Bergen County mom Nancy Grasso died after a fearless five-year battle with cancer on Friday, July 15. She was 59. Born in Long Island, Nancy grew up in Smithtown and Oakland before settling in Mahwah last year, her obituary says. Nancy had worked at the Sunshine Home Health Services in Wyckoff as its Executive Director. Nancy leaves behind her loving husband, Michael; her children, Brianna Kaufman-DeFreese, Nicholas Grasso, and Michael Grasso, Jr.; her brothers, Frank and Michael; as well as several extended family members and close friends. Meanwhile, more than $16,200 had been r…

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by Valerie Musson
Sports
'Own The Mound': Teen Pitcher Charlie Landers Leaves Lasting Legacy In Final Instagram Post 'Own The Mound': Teen Pitcher Charlie Landers Leaves Lasting Legacy In Final Instagram Post
'Own The Mound': Teen Pitcher Charlie Landers Leaves Lasting Legacy In Final Instagram Post Charlie Landers' final Instagram post is how he wanted to be remembered: Not just standing on a pitcher's mound, but owning it. The photo was taken during the 15-year-old Ramapo High School sophomore's last game ever played, and two years into treatment for Ewing Sarcoma, according to his dad, Mark Landers. The Franklin Lakes teen fought cancer tenaciously since 2019, and never let it dull his passion for baseball. In fact, the sport gave him a reason to keep on swinging. During his treatment, he was always looking one step ahead, focusing on how he could get better and get back on the fi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Nicholas Moquete Of Midland Park Dies, 26 Nicholas Moquete Of Midland Park Dies, 26
Nicholas Moquete Of Midland Park Dies, 26 Nicholas Moquete of Midland Park died on May 19, 2021. He was 26 years old. Moquete graduated from Midland Park High School and went on to earn his bachelors and masters degrees from Seton Hall University, his obituary says. He worked as a Fund Accountant at PEF Services LLC in West Orange. Nick is survived by his parents, Ellen and Manuel Moquete; sisters Rachel (Michael), Katie (Ryan); nieces Penelope and Camilla; and nephew Quenn. Visitation will be May 25 from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff. Click here for Nicholas Moquette's complete obituary.

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by Cecilia Levine
News
'Firefighting Royalty': NJ Legend Larry Rauch Dies 'Firefighting Royalty': NJ Legend Larry Rauch Dies
'Firefighting Royalty': NJ Legend Larry Rauch Dies He was the very definition of “class act,” a father figure and mentor to a multitude who made protecting others their mission. You couldn't help but love him. “Firefighting royalty” one colleague said Monday after learning that retired veteran fire chief and academy instructor Larry Rauch had died a week and a half shy of his 79th birthday. Rauch, the Bergen County Fire Academy’s head instructor for several decades, fought fires for nearly 50 years in Upper Saddle River. He lived there most of his life before moving to Manchester in 2019 with his beloved wife of 58 years, Sherry, who died…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
Bergen County Mom, Beloved Business Owner Antonella Maniscalco Dies, 53 Bergen County Mom, Beloved Business Owner Antonella Maniscalco Dies, 53
Bergen County Mom, Beloved Business Owner Antonella Maniscalco Dies, 53 The community is coming together in support of a Bergen County family mourning the loss of their rock: Antonella Lucia Romano Maniscalco. A caring wife, loving mother and passionate businesswoman, Antonella died on Dec. 12, after a bout with cancer. She was 53 years old. More than $31,700 had been raised on a GoFundMe for her family as of Wednesday.  The campaign was launched by Antonella's husband's longtime friend by Daniel Briganti. "To know Antonella and Alex is to know a true love story," Briganti writes. "Their love for each other is genuine, selfless, comp…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
TRIBUTE: Mahwah Mom, 55, Traveled World, Adored Her Children TRIBUTE: Mahwah Mom, 55, Traveled World, Adored Her Children
Tribute: Mahwah Mom, 55, Traveled World, Adored Her Children She traveled the world and was married in Napa, but Diane Pallokat of Mahwah most cherished summer vacations with family and friends in Nantucket, loved ones said. Yet the greatest joys for Pallokat, who died suddenly this past weekend at 55, were her two children. Pallokat was graduated from the University of Georgia in 1986 before becoming a flight attendant with Delta Airlines. That's how she met Rick Pallokat, whom she married in 1998. "Diane will be remembered for her selflessness and infectious smile that lit up every room," her obituary says. "One of her pleasures was hosting her ma…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Obituaries
TRIBUTE: Camp Sunshine Counselor, Mahwah HS Lacrosse Coach Allie Garbely Dies, 23 TRIBUTE: Camp Sunshine Counselor, Mahwah HS Lacrosse Coach Allie Garbely Dies, 23
Tribute: Camp Sunshine Counselor, Mahwah HS Lacrosse Coach Allie Garbely Dies, 23 Allie Garbely of Mahwah devoted her life to others. In only 23 years, the Ramapo College student had made a profound impact across the world -- from Ridgewood to Brazil. Although Garbely's life was cut short on Nov. 18, her countless good deeds and uplifting spirit live on the hearts of many. Garbely worked as a camp counselor at Ridgewood's Camp Sunshine, a summer recreational program for children and young adults with multiple disabilities. Her campers remembered her as a friend, more than anything. "Allie Garbely was a caring and loving person and friend of mine," one of her campers …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
TRUE CRUSADER: Bergen Catholic Mourns Senior Track Runner Kyle Egan, 17 TRUE CRUSADER: Bergen Catholic Mourns Senior Track Runner Kyle Egan, 17
True Crusader: Bergen Catholic Mourns Senior Track Runner Kyle Egan, 17 Bergen Catholic senior Kyle Egan died Thursday, Nov. 14 surrounded by his family following a valiant battle with cancer. He was 17 years old. Formerly of Staten Island and Brooklyn Heights, Kyle moved to Saddle River in 2004. He attended the Wandell School and Ramsey's Eric Smith Middle School. Kyle ran track at Bergen Catholic, and was being remembered as a crusader. "Tonight the entire Bergen Catholic community writes to you with very heavy hearts, losing one of our own this afternoon to cancer," Crusader Crazies wrote on Twitter. "Kyle was by definition a leader and a Crusader. His sm…

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by Cecilia Levine
Lifestyle
'She Chose Happy Every Day': Franklin Lakes Native Pia Jacobson, 36, Dies After Cancer Battle 'She Chose Happy Every Day': Franklin Lakes Native Pia Jacobson, 36, Dies After Cancer Battle
'She Chose Happy Every Day': Franklin Lakes Native Pia Jacobson, 36, Dies After Cancer Battle Pia Alexandra Silberbauer Jacobson's is being remembered for her bright smile and joyful spirit after a 15-month cancer battle. The 36-year-year old Franklin Lakes native died on July 9. Born in Westwood, Pia grew up in Franklin Lakes and later moved to North Carolina with her husband, Chase Allen Jacobson, her obituary says. More than $22,700 had been raised as of Monday morning on a GoFundMe for Pia and Chase's kids, Penelope and Canaan. Donations will go to a college trust fund for the kids, who Pia's sister Noelle Silberbauer said were the light of their mother's life. "She is the b…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Scholarship Honors 'Spunky, Vivacious' Rebecca Klenk Of Franklin Lakes, 18 Scholarship Honors 'Spunky, Vivacious' Rebecca Klenk Of Franklin Lakes, 18
Scholarship Honors 'Spunky, Vivacious' Rebecca Klenk Of Franklin Lakes, 18 A memorial scholarship has been launched to honor Rebecca Natalia Klenk of Franklin Lakes, who died July 9. She was 18 years old. Klenk graduated from Indian Hills High School, where she was in the marching band, and was scheduled to begin Ramapo College to study Marine Biology in the fall. Her obituary remembered her for her vivacious spirit, along with her passion for music, snowboarding, art and travel. "Rebecca was one of hippest, spunkiest and most intelligent young ladies that I ever had the pleasure of teaching," former teacher Cherie McLaughlin wrote.  "My heart is in pieces …

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Former Standout Ramapo HS Athlete Tyler Speziale Dies, 26 Former Standout Ramapo HS Athlete Tyler Speziale Dies, 26
Former Standout Ramapo HS Athlete Tyler Speziale Dies, 26 Tyler Speziale of Wyckoff died on June 20. He was 26 years old. The 2011 Ramapo High School graduate was a standout player on the football and lacrosse teams. More than $1,900 had been raised as of Sunday morning on a GoFundMe for his family. He is survived by his parents, Gerard and Victoria Speziale; brothers Connor and Spencer Speziale; maternal grandmother Hila Jack; along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff. Funeral services will be private.

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Glen Rock High School Graduate Theodore 'Vlad' Geiger, 20 Glen Rock High School Graduate Theodore 'Vlad' Geiger, 20
Glen Rock High School Graduate Theodore 'Vlad' Geiger, 20 Theodore "Vlad" Geiger formerly of Glen Rock died Monday, Nov. 26 in Palm Beach County, Florida. He was 20 years old. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Glen Rock, Vlad graduated from Glen Rock High School in 2017. He was a member of the All Saints Episcopal Church. Vlad was remembered in his obituary as a "kind hearted young man" with a passion for music, sports, the beach, spending time with his friends and video games. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Dec. 8 at 11 a.m., a…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Matthew DeCesare Of Allendale Remembered For Love Of Animals, Performing Matthew DeCesare Of Allendale Remembered For Love Of Animals, Performing
Matthew DeCesare Of Allendale Remembered For Love Of Animals, Performing Matthew Bryant DeCesare of Allendale died unexpectedly on June 27. He was 26 years old. Born in California, Matthew was been an Allendale resident since 2005. His passions were his family, his friends, his dog and performing.  He attended Northern Highlands Regional High School. Also near and dear to Matthew's heart was his love for nature and animals. Donations in his memory can be made to Ramapo Bergen Animal Refuge, 2 Shelter Lane, Oakland, NJ 07436. Visitation is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. on July 2 at the  Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff. A Celebration of Life wi…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Evan Gallucio Of Glen Rock, 33, 'Brought Sunshine Wherever He Went' Evan Gallucio Of Glen Rock, 33, 'Brought Sunshine Wherever He Went'
Evan Gallucio Of Glen Rock, 33, 'Brought Sunshine Wherever He Went' Evan R. Gallucio of Glen Rock died suddenly May 19. He was 33 years old. Evan, born in Ridgewood, was a lifelong resident of Glen Rock working as an electrician working for Ampak in Staten Island. Evan brought sunshine and joy wherever he went. His smile would light up an entire room. His best friend was his dad. Evan treasured the weekends they would go to Atlantic City to watch the state tournament for wrestling, a sport Evan loved. Evan had a special place in his big heart for his nephews and niece. Nothing was more important to him than being a good uncle. He would play with them…

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by Cecilia Levine
Obituaries
Washington Township's Edward Robinson Dies, 47 Washington Township's Edward Robinson Dies, 47
Washington Township's Edward Robinson Dies, 47 BERGEN COUNTY, N.J. — Edward Robinson of Washington Township died on Jan. 15 after surviving cancer for more than two decades. He was 47. Robinson was a graduate of Queen of Peace High School, and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in science from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford.  His last job was as a financial analyst at AT&T in Paramus. Robinson was an avid reader with particular interest in politics, history and comic books. He enjoyed writing and collaborated on a biography on Dick Briefer’s “The Monster of Frankenstein.” Ed was a true gentleman who tirelessl…

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by Cecilia Levine