I n the past fifteen years I have been assigned to Holy Rosary Parish, I have seen how Steven and Ryan and their staff treat each family as their own. This was especially true when my own father died of cancer at Calvary Hospital in the Bronx. At 2AM, that Friday morning, the first call I made was to Steven Cognata and I could assure my mother, brothers and sisters that as a family we were in the best of hands, as many families have learned over the last one hundred years.

Steven and Ryan care for families with a special and unique ministry. They share this ministry, which is not a 9 to 5 job, a ministry which involves taking families from the darkness of death, sorrow and loss through wakes, funerals, burials and all the many small but important details of these important milestones.

Steven and Ryan's concern for others extends beyond the funeral home walls and is evident in the many community and civic activities which they have underwritten and supported over the years.

All of us at Holy Rosary truly appreciate all that the Azzara Family has done to make our community a better place to live. We thank Steven and Ryan specifically for demonstrating, day in and day out, a living definition of compassion: showing mercy and giving aid and support so generously.

Rev. Stephen Challman
Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church



Dear Steven and the Azzara Family,
I wish you the beauty of nature;
That you may enjoy the work of God.

I wish you the love of family and friends;
And Peace within your heart.

I wish you Health;
May you enjoy every God-given day with gratitude to the Giver of Life.

I wish you wisdom;
May it help you choose priorities that really matter in life.

I wish you the spirit of generosity;
Your spirit of sharing is a recognition that all good things come from God.

May the Lord let His face shine upon you and be gracious to you.

I wish you the best of everything!
May God bless you,
Rev. Bernal Stainwall
Parochial Vicar of Holy Rosary Church

Dear Steve,
On behalf of Kaitlyn Hartmann, the recipient of the AZZARA FUNERAL HOME SCHOLARSHIP, we send you our heart-felt gratitude. Because of your generosity, a deserving student will be recognized for her hard work and achievement. It is because of generous benefactors such as yourself, that Holy Rosary School continues to strive for excellence.
Once again, we thank you.
Sincerely,
Diane Murphy, Principal
Joanne DelGeorge, Assistant Principal

Dear Steve:
My brothers and I at Madonna Council want to thank you for your generous donations. As always, your service to our deceased members, is very special. Our members and the surviving Knights of Columbus family members were greatly touched.
Once again, the Madonna Council is in your debt and wants to recognize you and the Azzara Funeral Home as our good friends and neighbor. May God Bless you for all the good you have done and reward you for all the lives your kindness has touched.
Fraternally,
Thomas J. McKenna, Grand Knight
Knight of Columbus
Madonna Council

Dear Mr. Cognata:
Thank you for the generous donation to my Eagle project. Even though you did not need to donate the amount you did, I appreciate your generosity! Your actions also raised the morale of those participating in the Boy Scout Car Wash, by showing that people come, not just for our services, but to give a helping hand in a project that will benefit the community.
Thank you!
Joseph W. Figueroa
Boy Scout Troop 80


Dear Steven:
May I express my sincere gratitude for your kindness and generosity in completing the Monuments for Sister John Gregory and Sister Bernadette Eggeart. I am very pleased with the workmanship and I am sure the families of the Sisters will also be happy to see that they are now in place.

We are most grateful for your generosity and the most appropriate way we could reciprocate would be through our prayers. We will have a Mass celebrated in our Chapel for your special intentions and those of your family.

The Lord is never outdone in generosity, and we are confident that He will grant you many blessings for your gracious goodness to the Sisters. This will most certainly be our prayer for you that God may continue to bestow His peace, joy and love upon you and your family always.
Sincerely in Christ,
Sr, John Agnes Barone, C.S.JB.
Mother Superior
St. John Villa Academy



Dear Steve,
My sisters and I can't "thank you" enough for everything you did for "Mom's" funeral.
Thanks to you and your staff. Everyone continues to let us know how beautiful Mom looked - THANK YOU!
We will always be forever grateful to you. You are wonderful, professional and fabulous. Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts!
God Bless You!
Love, Patty, Geri & Angela Manzione




Dear Steve and Staff:
Where do I begin to thank you for making a very difficult time a little easier? My father would be so proud of the way you handled our family, and how you presented our father to us. He looked so peaceful in every way. Thank you also for the lovely "Painter's Palette" that you had embroidered in the casket honoring his artistic talents. That won't be forgotten... Your thoughtfulness at such a difficult time meant so much.
Fondly,
JoAnne LaRocca-Scalici




Dear Steve,
It is the most thoughtful people who always come to mind - those, like you, who show themselves to be caring, patient and kind. Thank you!
The Family of Antonio Fontana



Dear Steve:
My family wished to extend sincere thanks for making a bad experience, not so bad.
Your respect and the dignity Azzara's afforded Mom, took our fears and doubts out of the whole experience.

Blessed are the Givers, and grateful are the receivers. thanks so much!
Vinny and Amy Fittipaldi



Dear Steve and Staff:
Thank you from our family for your kindness during this most difficult time. We were very pleased with all you did to make us feel at home and comfortable.
Thanks for being so thoughtful to us,
Kathy, Patty, Mary and Danny Kelsch


Dear Steve:
Many, many thanks for all you did to help us celebrate our mother's life with dignity and compassion. Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Sincerely,
Dr. Fran Curcio
Mr. Ralph Curcio



To Steve and Ryan,
Thank you for your compassion and kindness. The beautiful flowers and casket you provided was such a comfort to me, especially his nameplate. You gentlemen are in my prayers. God bless both of you and your families.
I remain, gratefully yours,
Michael Prisco

Dear Steven and Staff:
Thank you is not enough. There are so many words to express how we feel about the manor in which you took care of our son. Everything you did for us was done to perfection. Jonathan was a very special young man, but he was given a royal tribute in his final days here. Thank you for all you did for us. His exit was as if he was a nobleman, a person of dignity and distinction. Everything was done with class. All of which helped our family during this horrible time.

Gratefully with love,
Anne and Carl Acierno and Family