LAURA LILLY

Laura Lilly, died Thursday, March 6, 2025 at the age of 63. Beloved wife of Matthew Lilly, loving mother of Tara Lilly-Geffken, Kristyn George and Jessica Lilly-Guzman, mother-in-law of William, Yusuf and Nelson, cherished grandmother of Jade, Kymani, Elliana and Nico, and dear sister of Denise Hodde. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: ASPCA, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or American Cancer Society Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10 AM. Interment followed at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Maspeth, NYunder the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378www.papaverofuneralhome.com

FRANCESCO GERACI

Francesco Geraci, died Saturday, March 8, 2025 at the age of 94. Beloved husband of Grace Geraci, loving father of Angela Stoll, Michael (Theresa) Geraci, and Fran (Joe) Mauceri, cherished PaPa of Joseph, Frankie, John Michael, Isabella and Robert, and also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and friends. In Lieu of Flowers, memorial donations may be made to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Hope Church on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM. Entombment followed at St. John Cemetery Christ the Redeemer Mausoleum, Middle Village. NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378www.papaverofuneralhome.com

LOUISE GUGLIELMETTI

Louise Guglielmetti, died Monday, February 24, 2025 at the age of 88. Beloved sister of John Guglielmetti, Paul Guglielmetti and the late Margie Calabrese and Frank Guglielmetti, dear sister-in-law of Tina Guglielmetti, Frances Guglielmetti, and the late Joe Calabrese and Lillian Guglielmetti, and cherished aunt and great-aunt of many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Hope Church on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 9:45 AM. Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378 www.papaverofuneralhome.com

ILLUMINADA “LUCY” PEREZ

Iluminada “Lucy” Perez, died Monday, February 24, 2025 at the age of 87. Beloved wife of the late Jose Luis Perez, loving mother of Luis (Delmy) Perez, Michael (Elizabeth) Perez and the late Andrew Perez, cherished grandmother of David, Andrew, Monica, Michael A., Christine, Angela and the late Nicole, and great-grandmother of 8 great-grandchildren. Funeral Services held at Papavero Funeral Home on Saturday, March 1$t, 2025 from 9-11 AM. Interment followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378 www.papaverofuneralhome.com

GRACE CARLO

Grace Carlo, died Monday, February 24, 2025 at the age of 98. Beloved wife of the late Robert Carlo, loving mother of Anthony Carlo, Elizabeth Mollica and Marie Snadecky, mother-in-law of Benjamin Mollica and the late Linda Power and Mark Snadecky, cherished grandmother of Lisa, Robert, Christine, Michael, Anthony and Matthew, great-grandmother of Henry, Annabelle, Grace, Leo, Emma and Madison, and dear sister of Elizabeth Godwin, Pearl Buckley and Ted Parker. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Stanislaus Church on Friday, February 28, 2025 at 9:30 AM. Interment followed at St. John Cemetery, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378 www.papaverofuneralhome.com

JEANETTE VERTUCCIO

Jeanette Vertuccio, died Saturday, March 1, 2025 at the age of 89. Beloved wife of the late Benjamin Vertuccio, loving mother of Vincent Vertuccio, Michael Vertuccio, Benjamin Vertuccio Jr., and the late Joseph M Vertuccio, cherished grandmother of Nicole, Jacquelene, Gina, Michele, Elina, Michael, Joseph, Vincent, Gabriella and Talia and great-grandmother of Savina, Amelia, Abbey, Effie, Jackson, Angelina, Parker, Gunner, Joseph, Vincina, Juliana and Victoria, and also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Mass of Christian Burial offered at Our Lady of Hope Church on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 10:45 AM. Entombment followed at St. John Cemetery Ave Maria Garden Mausoleum, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378www.papaverofuneralhome.com

DONNA L. ROBINSON

Donna L. Robinson of Richmond Hill, NY died on 2-19-2025 at the age of 64 yrs. A native of Richmond Hill, Loving daughter of Joan & the Late William, Dear sister of Joseph L. & William F. Jr., Services offered by Hess Miller Funeral Home Cremation at Fresh Pond Crematory, Hess-Miller Funeral Home, 64-19 Metropolitan Avenue Middle Village, NY 11379

MARY M. BROWNE

Mary M. Browne, died Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at the age of 59. Mary Browne was a mother, daughter, cousin and woman of profound love, resilience, and complexity. Mary’s journey was not always easy, but she left an indelible mark on the world around her. She grew up in Fort Greene, on Hall Street. In fourth grade, she moved to Breezy Point, and, with it, a lifelong love of the beach. It was there that she felt most at peace. Her passion for helping others guided her throughout her life. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s College and later pursued a master’s in social work from Fordham University She began her career working in a domestic violence shelter, dedicating herself to those in crisis. Later, she continued this calling at Catholic Charities, supporting the elderly, and at Mercy Home for Children, advocating for those with disabilities. Her work reflected her deep belief in the dignity of every person and her drive to uplift those who needed it most. Beyond her work, my mom had a deep love of music. Music had a way of bringing her joy and comfort, and it was one of the many things that lit up her spirit. She leaves behind a family who will forever carry her in their hearts-her two children, Liz and Danny, her father Bill and his wife Janis, her cousins, The Baiardis, who were always an important part of her life, as well as many friends including her dear friend, Sr. Fran. She is reunited now with her mother, Margaret, sister, Kelly, and Aunt Pat and Uncle Vinny, who will welcome her into peace. And while divorced for some time, Kevin, remained present in her health journey, something she appreciated. Mary’s story is one of love, struggle, and resilience. We will remember her for the good she put into the world, the lives she touched, and the love she had for her family. Though she is gone, she remains with us in the lessons she taught, the kindness she showed, and the memories we hold close. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Edmund’s Church (Breezy Point, NY) on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 11 AM. Private Cremation followed at Fresh Pond Crematory, Middle Village, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378 www.papaverofuneralhome.com

CHARLES DECKER

Charles Decker, died Saturday, February 22, 2025 at the age of 83. Beloved husband of Elaine Decker, loving father of Charles (Elizabeth) Decker, Joseph (Yuliana) Decker, and Jonathan (Amanda) Decker, cherished grandfather of Charles, Daniel, Jackie, Mason, Milania and Carmine, and dear uncle, great-uncle and friend to many. Mr. Decker was a United States Air Force Veteran who served during the Vietnam Era. Mass of Christian Burial offered at St. Mary’s Church on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10 AM Interment followed at Calvary Cemetery, Woodside, NY under the direction of Papavero Funeral Home, 72-27 Grand Avenue Maspeth, NY 11378 www.papaverofuneralhome.com

Meet Bowl Bites: Ozone Park’s Newest Caribbean Fast-Casual Restaurant

Move over Cava and Chipotle, there’s a new healthy fast-casual restaurant coming to Queens.

Bowl Bites, a vibrant new fast-casual restaurant set to open on Friday, February 28, is bringing a unique fusion of Caribbean flavors to the heart of Ozone Park at 102-16 Liberty Avenue.

Founded by three longtime friends from Queens, Amir Aldoais, Kevin Baksh, and Esteban Acosta, Bowl Bites is the result of their shared passion for health, fitness, and great-tasting food.

The trio, who often work out together at the Blink Fitness right next door, envisioned a place where people could grab a satisfying and nourishing meal without sacrificing flavor or convenience. “Our mission is to create a welcoming space where busy New Yorkers can enjoy delicious, well-balanced meals on the go,” said Baksh, one of the co-founders.

“We wanted to create a spot where people can eat clean, feel good, and still enjoy bold, exciting flavors,” said Aldoais, another co-founder. “Our menu combines the vibrant, earthy flavors of the Mediterranean with the bold, tropical spices of the Caribbean. It’s food that fuels your body while satisfying your taste buds.”

At Bowl Bites, customers can expect an array of handcrafted bowls, juices, smoothies, acai bowls, and sides made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Chef Michael Saroop designed the Bowl Bites menu to be nutritious yet indulgent, catering to a variety of dietary preferences, including vegetarian, vegan, and protein-packed options. Signature dishes include:

  • The Jerk Chicken Bowl  – A fusion of Caribbean jerk chicken, rice, corn, onion, zesty mango salsa, and sour cream.

  • The Shrimp Bowl – A medley of Grilled shrimp, rice, corn, tomato, zesty mango salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.

  • The Steak Bowl – A vibrant mix of Marinated Steak, beans, onions, corn, zesty mango salsa, and guacamole.

With a commitment to freshness, Bowl Bites “prepares everything in-house daily, ensuring that each bite is packed with authentic flavors and nourishing ingredients,” said Chef Saroop.

Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, refueling post-workout, or picking up dinner on the way home, Bowl Bites is designed to provide fast, healthy, and satisfying meals without compromise.

Bowl Bites is set to soft open on Monday, February 24th, offering Ozone Park residents an exclusive first taste of their menu. The official Grand Opening celebration is tentatively scheduled for Friday, February 28, where guests can expect special promotions, giveaways, and a chance to meet the founders.

“We’re beyond excited to share this experience with the community,” said Acosta. “We want Bowl Bites to be more than just a restaurant—it’s a lifestyle. Good food, good vibes, and good health, all in one place.”

With a fresh approach to fast-casual dining and a passion for real ingredients, Bowl Bites is ready to make waves in the local food scene. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a busy professional, or simply someone who loves great-tasting food, Bowl Bites is the go-to spot for a wholesome and delicious meal on the move.

For the latest updates, exact opening dates, and exclusive sneak peeks, be sure to follow @BowlBitesNYC on Instagram. Stay tuned for special promotions, behind-the-scenes content, and a look at the mouthwatering dishes coming to Ozone Park.

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