Though the graduation ceremony at Glen Ridge High School was supposed to be a festive affair, before the matriculation of the 126 students, Glen Ridge superintendent of Schools John Mucciollo made a sad announcement.
Teacher Caroline Bassillo, 29, of Nutley, N.J., formerly of Rochelle Park, N.J., passed away on Friday, June 25, 2010, the very same day as graduation.
Caroline was a popular and effervescent teacher at the high school, and during the moment of silence it was obvious many were shocked.
Our condolences go out to the family of this wonderful young woman, who lost her battle to cancer after a valiant struggle.
The funeral service is at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday at the Vander Plaat Memorial Home, S-113 Farview Ave., Paramus, N.J., with a 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, Rochelle Park. Interment is at George Washington Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Monday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. For further information, visit www.vanderplaat.com. Caroline graduated from Hackensack High School in 1998 and, in 2002, from the College of New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in special education. In 2007, Caroline earned her master's degree as a learning-disabled teacher consultant at Montclair State University. The beloved daughter of Frank and Ann Bassillo of Rochelle Park, Caroline was the dear sister to Christopher Bassillo and his wife, Meg, of North Haledon, N.J., Frank Bassillo and his wife, Sandra, of New Milford, N.J., and dear aunt to A.J. of New Milford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hackensack University Medical Center, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, 30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, N.J. 07601.
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