Memorial:
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Patrick Azzolini, 1930 - 2024. Our comrade Patrick passed away at the age of 94 on 12/15/2024. Patrick who lived in Ridgewood was a dear husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who will be remembered for his devotion to his family, warm generosity, and creative spirit. He was born in Molfetta, Bari, Italy in 1930 and immigrated to the United States in 1939 at the age of 9 with his mother, Lucrezia (DiNicolo) Azzolini, and his 6 year old brother, Dominick “Doc” Azzolini. They joined his father, Gennaro Azzolini, in Hoboken, NJ.
Patrick grew up in Hoboken, where at a young age he worked at Dibari’s Italian Bakery. In 1952, he served in the United States Navy during the Korean War, as head baker on the escort carrier USS Kula Gulf. He married his wife, Pauline, in 1954, and they raised their four children in West New York, NJ. In 1962, he graduated from William L. Dickinson High School in Jersey City, with Pauline and all four children proudly in attendance. Patrick and Pauline moved to Ridgewood, NJ in 1983, where Patrick was an active member in the community at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and at VFW Post 850 in Glen Rock. Patrick worked for Metropolitan Life Company in New York City until he retired in 1991. After his retirement, he spent many years traveling throughout the United States and Europe with Pauline. Patrick remained a lifelong student, attending history classes at Bergen Community College well into his eighties and building multiple Heathkit TVs and stereos at home. He loved country music and opera, attending 36 operas at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. He was known for his delicious desserts, using recipes from his years as a baker, which he brought to every family party and birthday for many years. Patrick was especially dedicated to spending time with and supporting his children and grandchildren, he made sure that he attended every graduation and life event of theirs, no matter how far away. He will be greatly missed by his friends and family, who will hold the many memories shared with him dearly in their hearts. |
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Robert (Bob) Croland - 6/1934 - 5/2024
Bob passed peacefully on Thursday, May 16th just two weeks before his 90th birthday. Bob championed PMA, Positive Mental Attitude, and spread a legacy of compassion, and kindness. He was a Navy veteran who served in peacetime. Bob was a true leader, mentor, and loving human being who practiced the art of awe and joy every day of his life. During his career building a successful insurance brokerage for John Hancock in Manhattan, he was a champion of diversity. He worked closely with former MLB players Larry Doby and Monte Irvin, both of whom became close friends. Bob was a board member of Glen Courts senior housing in Glen Rock, an elder at Community Church for many years, and a member of the Glen Rock Activities Club where he planned excursions around NJ and could be found many mornings joking with a cadre of close friends. Bob enjoyed traveling, music and theater with Nancy, his wife of 65 years who succeeds him along with their four loving children, Caren Croland Yanis (Stephen), John (Merritt), Scott (Kerri) and Amy Croland Grayson, nine grandchildren and one great grandchild, Lia Yanis (Chris) and their son Theo, Caroline (Dan), James (Chelsea), Sam Yanis, Billy, Thomas, Christine, Kiera, and Ryan. He also leaves a loving and deeply devoted sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Jack Elstad. His memory is a blessing to all who knew him. In memory of Bob Croland, reach out to others with acts of kindness. |
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Clinton “Clint” Ray Johnson - 9/15/1947 - 1/27/2024
Clint was born in Fort Worth, Texas to James Forrest and Rose Marie (Anz) Johnson, who both predeceased him. Clint was raised in Texas and Colorado with his three siblings, James Burrell (J.B.), Howard, and Elaine, and graduated from Monterey High School in Lubbock, Texas. At age 18 he enlisted in the United States Army, serving from 1966 to 1970, most notably with the 25th Infantry during the Vietnam War. Clint’s arrival in Vietnam in April 1967 not only marked his entry into combat on behalf of his country, but also was an act of service for his family, as it allowed his brother J.B. to leave the combat zone and return home to his young family. Clint earned a Purple Heart in 1968, as well as the following other medals from the Army: Vietnam Service Medal with four Bronze stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal. After returning home from Vietnam, Clint attended Texas Tech University, earning a bachelor’s degree. In 1968, Clint married Beverly (Tyson) Johnson, with whom he shares a son, James Craig. After a career in pharmaceuticals, Clint returned to his calling as a teacher. He taught for more than thirty years, spreading his youthful energy and love for teaching to students in Lubbock, Texas; Sacheon, South Korea; Roswell, New Mexico; Pilot Point, Texas, and most recently at the Van Riper Ellis Christian School in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. Clint was always up for an adventure. In 2007, he moved to South Korea for a year to teach and was forever touched by the friends he made in Sacheon. In 2013, he entered the New Mexico Senior Olympics, winning gold in the 100-yard dash. In 2022, still looking for adventure, he retired from teaching in Pilot Point, Texas and road-tripped east to live in New Jersey to be closer to Craig, his beloved grandchildren, Colton and Luke, and his daughter-in-law, Lindsay Brown. Also in 2022, he won another gold medal in the 100-yard dash in the New Jersey Senior Olympics. He enjoyed nearly two years of being a Glen Rock grandparent, attending school, sporting, and life events for Colton and Luke, always clad in personalized gear that proudly displayed his fandom of and pride in his grandsons. When not spending time with the Johnson and Brown families, he enjoyed long walks, reading voraciously, church and VFW activities (including serving as VFW chaplain), and cheering on the Texas Tech Red Raiders and Dallas Cowboys. Clint was devoted to his faith in God and was ready for Heaven after a relatively short illness. |
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David Richard Holzbaur - 12/14/1923 - 12/14/2023
He was born in Bordentown, NJ died and peacefully at home in Glen Rock on April 24, 2024 at the age of 99. Dave was surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife Rita Higgins Holzbaur of 72 years, his children Joni and her husband Dr. Joseph Iraci, Ellen and her husband Richard Bilangi, David Jr. and his wife Jacqueline, Janet and her husband Robert Takacs. Dave also had 8 loving grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Dave was a World War II Veteran and was very proud of his service in the Army Air Force serving for two years in the South Pacific. Dave owned and operated a successful tool supply business for many years and enjoyed being self- employed. After retiring he became an active member of the VFW, elected Quartermaster of the Post. In an effort to raise money he created a friendly competition among the vets for selling poppies during the month of May. He was a fun loving man who was full of life. He loved people and had a great sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him |
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Allan E. Goudy - 11/19/1926 - 10/19/2023.
We are sorry to share the sad news that our comrade, Allan Goudy, passed away on 10/19/2023. Allan was a WWII era vet and a longtime member of the American Legion in Glen Rock. He was the Post Chaplain and we shared many of our Memorial and Veterans Day programs with him. Allan's life will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Feeney Funeral Home, 232 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450 |
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Photograph provided by the Glen Rock Historical Society