Raritan, NJ

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved matriarch, Mary Elizabeth Cherivassi who peacefully passed at home surrounded by family on July 19,2025 at the age of 93 years young. Mary Elizabeth  was born September 30, 1931, in Califon, NJ to her parents Lewis Apgar and Ruth Burd-Apgar. Mary was a farm girl raised in Califon, who later relocated to Raritan as a permanent resident for over 70 years. 

Mary began her career founding an ice cream and milk truck business famously named "Freddy Freeze" with her husband Joseph and two children Joann & Frank. Mary later retired from Johnson & Johnson’s Ethicon, Bridgewater, New Jersey, after 26 years of dedicated service in the needle department. 

Mary spent her golden years raising her grandchildren & great grandchildren, she cared very deeply for. Her grand-babies were her entire world. Mary’s kind and generous heart will be tremendously missed by all who knew her. 

Mary is pre-deceased by her loving husband Joseph Cherivassi, parents,  sister, Louella Shepherd; brother and sister in-laws, Marie Davis, Fern & William Cherivassi, Carmella & Flory Puppo.

Mary is survived by her children; Joann & Richard Mitchell and Frank Cherivassi; niece and nephew, Raymond and Dianne Puppo; great grandchild, Montana & her ‘new husband’ Brandon Ruzbarsky; beloved furry-grandchild; Rottweiler, Bronson. 

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 9:30 AM – 11:15 AM at Bongiovi Funeral Home, 416 Bell Avenue, Raritan, NJ.  Entombment, immediately following, St. Bernard Cemetery, 550 Route 28, Bridgewater, NJ.

                                          “Forever in Our Hearts”