GREGORY N. PROKOPENKO, 57, of Lyndhurst, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. Born and raised in Jersey City, Gregory moved to Lyndhurst in 1992 as newlyweds and has resided there since. Devoted husband of Maria (nee Chiusolo) for over 28 years. Beloved son of the late Nikolaj and Efymia (Krulikowska). Loving brother of Stephanie & Emil Pucowski, Helen Prokopenko, and brother-in-law to Joseph, Gerard, John A., Anthony, Betty Anne Johnson, John L., & Larry Chiusolo. Loving uncle to 16 nieces and nephews and cherished great-uncle to 10 great- nieces and nephews. He was also a proud godfather to many.
Gregory attended St. Anthony’s grammar and high school and was a Captain of the bowling team which he started. He was a man with work ethic. He was a dispatcher with the Jersey City Fire Department since July 1999 and was promoted to supervisor of fire dispatch in February of 2015. Gregory was a band leader for Middlesex Express, a polka band throughout the tri-state area and loved playing the accordion, keyboard and vocals since he was 18 years old. He was also a longtime member of the Lyndhurst PACC Club, Bayway Polish Club, and a Life Member of the Gong Club.
Visitation is on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at RIOTTO FUNERAL HOME & Cremation Company, 3205 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (For GPS Navigation it is best to use the parking lot entrance address: 14 Stagg St., Jersey City). Funeral Mass is on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 10:30 AM at St. Anthony of Padua Church, 457 Monmouth St. (Corner of 6th St.), Jersey City, NJ 07302. Funeral Mass will be live streamed on the Riotto Funeral Home & Cremation Company Facebook page at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/Riotto-Funeral-Home-Cremation-Company-141668809590823 (You will need to login to your Facebook account to view event.) Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington.
Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and occupancy limitations, visitors are asked to pay their respects in a timely fashion and exit in order to allow others the opportunity to enter the funeral home. Visitors are also required to wear a mask and practice social distancing.