Pianfetti, Brian Matthew, Sr., 67, received his crown of glory on Monday, February 14th, 2011 at Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Brian died of heart, lung, and kidney failure as a result of cancer. Brian was born in Carlinville, IL on August 30th, 1943. He is preceded in death by his parents Matthew and Mary Pianfetti and his son Brett Pianfetti. Brian was raised in New Milford NJ and graduated from Bergen Catholic High School in Oradell NJ in 1961. Brian graduated Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1965 and did graduate work at Fairleigh Dickenson University and the University of Alabama. Brian married and later divorced Susan Lungren Pianfetti. During his life, he also resided in Houston, TX, Huntsville, AL, Oakland, NJ, and later settled back into New Milford where he found love again with Dorothy Feula. Brian served his country through his efforts with NASA being one of the pioneers who helped put the first man on the moon, a tribute to his efforts is part of the Smithsonian Institute collection. Brian continued to lead the then new field of computer programming. The results of Brian’s programming efforts with laser scanners can now be seen in any grocery store checkout line. Brian was someone who was always willing to lend a hand to family and friends. The success of his children and siblings is a direct result of his caring and generous efforts. If friends or family ever had mechanical or carpentry problems, Brian was always quick to find an innovate solution using, as he would call, “airplane” engineering. While his solutions were unorthodox, and sometimes downright scary, they worked amazingly well.
Brian is lovingly survived by his second son Brian M Pianfetti, Jr., his wife Evangeline S Pianfetti, and their children Matthew, Mary, Nicholas, and Lucas who live in Champaign, IL. He is also survived by his third son Marc L Pianfetti, his wife Stephanie M Pianfetti, and their children Lena and Ethan living in Cincinnati, OH. Brian enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren making frequent trips to the Midwest where he would enjoy fishing and movies with his grandchildren. Brian is also survived by a brother Matthew and sister Maura Defino, her husband John, their three daughters Alexis, Olivia, and Caroline. Brian was also blessed to have another brother and best friend Kevin Pianfetti and long-time girl friend Dorothy Fuela. Kevin and his wife, Nancy, and Dot lovingly cared for him in the final months of his life.
A visitation will be held Friday February 18th, 2011 at the Volk Leber Funeral Home, 268 Kinderkamack Rd., Oradell from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will begin on Saturday, February 19th at 9 a.m. from the funeral home then to St. Joseph’s RC Church for a 10AM Mass of Christian Burial. Interment to follow at George Washington Cemetery, Paramus.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Dot, for making the final years of his life enjoyable, and to Kevin & Nancy for always being there for Brian. We would also like to thank Dr. Lisa Cannon for her compassion and wisdom during the events of the past few months. Without her loving guidance, Brian’s life would not have ended so peacefully. A quote from someone close to Brian best summarizes his life. “Brian always takes good care of those he loves.” Brian, we miss you.