Obituary of Henry J Risser

Risser, Henry J. "Hank" passed away peacefully at his home (as he always wanted) late in the evening of Saturday, December 26, 2015. Henry was born on June 4, 1927 in Clifton, New Jersey, the son of Josephine (nee: Mura) and Henry Risser Sr. Henry spent a portion of his childhood in Nevada (Reno and Carson City). He returned to New Jersey, living in Passaic and later Clifton, before moving to Totowa Borough in 1951. He initially worked for United Machines and then Chester Manufacturing. He was the foreman of the screw machine department at Rexnord and Camloc in Paramus, for 26 years. (Later, Fairchild Industries acquired Rexnord/Camloc). Hank was a devout parishioner of St. James Roman Catholic Church, in Totowa. His greatest joy in life was bowling. Most recently he enjoyed his leagues at Fair Lawn Lanes. Earlier in life he was awarded for bowling a 298 game (and was presented with the two pins "that just wouldn't fall"). He also enjoyed playing cards (pinochle and "313"), bocce, and golfing with his late cousin/best friend Rich Meyers. He fed "his" birds daily, with only the best quality bread. He humbly contributed to innumerable charitable causes across the globe. He was a patriotic and proud U.S. Citizen. Although challenged by extreme hearing impairment his whole life, Hank strove to be understood without offending others. Hank was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Josephine (1978); his sister, Beatrice "Bunny" (2008), and her husband John Yacenko (1997). He is survived by his nephew/Godson Darren Yacenko, and his husband Andrew Klekanos, of Chester Township. He is also survived by his Goddaughter Linda (Meyers) and her husband Clem Fitzner, and their children Jessica, Jonathan, and Joey. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the Festa Memorial Funeral Home , 111 Union Blvd., Totowa on Wednesday at 9:00 AM. Funeral mass to follow at St. James R.C. Church, Totowa at 9:30 AM. Interment to follow at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. Relatives and friends may visit Tuesday 4-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, Hank would have appreciated donations to "Smile Train", http://www.smiletrain.org/, 41 Madison Avenue, 28th Floor, NY, NY 10010.