Hard on the edge of the gritty city of Paterson, established along the banks of the deceptively…read morebeautiful (and polluted) Passaic River, Holy Sepulchre has been the final resting place for Paterson-area Roman Catholics since the 1840s. One picturesque entrance gate is on the Passaic River side off of Totowa Avenue. At the other end of the cemetery, one can enter through the more pedestrian gates off of Union Ave. Among the notable...or "famous"... people buried here are boxing manager Lou Duva (my oldest friend's father was friendly with him); John Phillip Holland, considered the "father" of the modern submarine; Mychal Judge, the priest who served as chaplain to the NYC Fire Department and was the first certified fatality of the September 11 terrorist attacks; Dave Prater of Sam and Dave musical fame; and labor activist Matthew Maguire. I grew up in the general area, and back in the day, spent a fair amount of time here. Sometimes, with friends, we'd get ice cream at the nearby Gelotti Ice Cream store, and consume our purchases in the tranquility of the cemetery. Or I'd park off to the side when I was in college and study. Or I'd walk along the crowded rows of tombstones, fascinated by the sense of history that permeated the place, a history that reached back to the days before my great grandparents fled the famine of Ireland or the militaristic tyranny of Germany. (Although, as far as I know, I don't have any relatives buried here.) In many ways, it's a utilitarian, semi-urban cemetery, and contains not much in the way of beauty necessarily (although, to quote Shakespeare: ":Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."). The graves run along in densely packed rows, with the occasional mausoleum breaking up the "monotony." The roadways and paths are pretty narrow, and if the cemetery is crowded, you'll find it necessary to be watchful and pay particular attention to where you drive and/or park. (I should mention that there are occasional spots of awe-inspiring loveliness throughout-- for instance, the "main road" that stretches from the gates on Totowa Ave. to the gates on the other end by Union Ave. is impressively lined with age-old trees, and in the fall, when the leaves turn a blazing orange/red, the view is breathtaking. I've always been fascinated by Paterson-area tombstones that have the enameled portraits of long-dead Italian and Syrian immigrants affixed to them. Stern-faced Patriarchs with handle-bar mustaches; robust grandmothers smiling kindly from a decades-gone past; sad, doomed children in Confirmation dresses and suits, tragically short-lived infants. Not to disparage the more "famous" residents of this (or any) cemetery, but this is the "real" history of Paterson, or NJ, or anywhere in America. And I actually (inadvertently) encountered some of my own history while walking here. A childhood friend is buried here. We lost touch when I moved out of the area in my teens, but I heard that he was killed in a car accident while still a teenager (I've heard that the other driver was drunk). Walking along the rows at random, I came across his impressive tombstone. He died a long time ago, but his grave is adorned with football mementos and prized toys. Obviously, he is still loved, and remembered, and mourned. I also stumbled across the grave of an older girl who lived in my neighborhood, and who also died as a teenager in a car accident (I remember that I used to have an enormous childhood "crush" on her). Also buried here among the "famous" and the ordinary is at least one person who perhaps qualifies as "infamous"-- Angela Atwood nee DeAngelis, a member of the SLA terrorist group that kidnapped Patty Hearst in 1974. She died a few months later in a fiery shootout with LA police, along with several members of her fanatical group. The stone with the family name on it is fairly large, but you'll have to look hard for her name on it. (Her name is listed unobtrusively on the stone as "Angel 1949-1974." My oldest friend's father knew her father, who was involved with the Teamsters.) There's a tranquility, a serenity, about the cemetery that is its own form of beauty. If you're interested in history (be it personal or non-personal), as I am, or the Holy Reverence of a Roman Catholic burial ground, or you're the relative/friend of someone interred here, and you wish to mourn and remember in an atmosphere of peaceful, reflective contemplation... ...Holy Sepulchre is the cemetery that can accommodate all.

I have been having trouble with the gatekeeper since my father passed in 2021. I work and then I…read morerush there to visit for a few minutes because they close at 5pm. Well, they start kicking you out around 4:50 pm. Recently I lost my Mom and I was visiting her on her first birthday in Heaven. It was a very emotional experience for myself and my 2 children who were there with me. The gatekeeper starts beeping his horn uncontrollably at 4:50pm. When he didn't get a response, he then gets out of his car, tramples all over the graves, puts his foot on a gravestone and yells at myself and my children that they are closing now and I need to leave. I didn't realize that the horn was for me. I was there paying my respect to my Mom. I told him it wasn't 5pm yet. We went back and forth. It was then 4:59 pm. We started heading to our car. The gatekeeper went to his, sped backwards and made a 3 point turn. Proceeded to the gate and locked us in. Then he left. I had to call the cops to come and get us out. Needless to say I filed a police report and I will also be filing a complaint with the court. We were stuck in the cemetery for a half hour. I also have it all on video when he started yelling at myself and my kids before 5pm. How disrespectful!! I wish my parents were never buried there!! Please reconsider going there. There are much better places. You want to be welcomed when visiting loved ones. This is NOT the place!!! BEWARE!!!!

Hopefully this review helps at a time of need... Over a year…read moreago. My grandmother passed and we I have to say, that the care received here was top notch. Plenty of parking, beautiful service, she looked like she was asleep etc. We were so happy to have worked with them. I had gifts received that day and theu were able to move the flowers, food etc into a separate room. I am so grateful for angels that exist such as the owners and workers of the place. Italian, sicilian friendly . Cemetary down the way.

Very professional. Easy to communicate with during a challenging time…read more The provided service and it was easy to coordinate even though I needed to do this planning from out of state. I would definitely recommend.

Years of mold growth (mostly in the last 12 months or so) were very professionally removed today…read morefrom my family's headstone. Sgobba's did a beautiful job on a very hot day.

We are so incredibly grateful to Gaita Memorial Home for the kindness, patience, and support they…read moreprovided during such a difficult time for our family. Santiago and Jodi were truly amazing, walking us through every step with professionalism and genuine compassion. They were always patient and understanding, which is exactly what we needed as we said goodbye to our beloved Papá. Thanks to their guidance and care, we were able to honor him in the grand and respectful way he deserved. The service was beautiful and everything was handled with such dignity. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 10/10 service, we couldn't have asked for more.

DO NOT USE FOR FUNERAL SERVICE. The Funeral Director is the least compassionate man I have ever…read moremet. Made rude comments through out the funeral I was shoo'd away from my own grandmothers casket and when we asked if the other grand kids could lay a rose for her, he muttered under his breath and was rude to my entire family. When I battled what he had said he lashed back at me. This man is a disgrace and should not be in this business.

This is the place. I have had the experience of helping to bring 3 close family members to their…read morefinal rest in the past 6 years. Heads and shoulders above and beyond is the experience this funeral home, Bizub Quinlan in Clifton (Van Houten), provided. We are so grateful for Wayne and the rest of the staff. Here are some words which describe our recent experience: respectful, professional, kind, warm, humble, caring, sincere, the ability to connect, and all with absolutely comprehensive service provision.....from making a revolving photo gallery available during the viewing to inviting guests to the repast. They took great care of my family and although it was a sad occasion, their detailed and thoughtful work eased our collective burden. Seriously, look no further than this funeral home for your needs. Thank you so very much.

I cannot express enough gratitude for the outstanding service provided by Bizub Quinlan Funeral…read moreHome, especially Wayne, who went above and beyond to guide us through such a difficult time. Everybody there were really thoughtful and caring, Tim and Ed, we did feel comfortable talking to them and leaving our dad funeral in their hands. Five stars service for sure!