Joseph "Mike" Prelee

Joseph “Mike” Prelee, 94, of Bergenfield, NJ (formerly of Sharon, PA) passed away peacefully on August 18, 2023. He was the beloved husband for 37 years to Arlene. Devoted father of Michael Prili, Christina Stoll, Sarina Prelee (Peggy), Ronald Lanzo Sr. (Linda) and predeceased by his daughter Elizabeth Owen (2022). Cherished grandfather of Giovanni, Valentino (Diana) & Sierra Stoll, Sasha Navarro (Victor), Dylan & Tucker Schettina (Samantha), Ronald Lanzo Jr., and Erica Lanzo Hunt (Chris). Great grandfather of Morgan, Ryan & Cameron Lanzo, Alexis & Lyla Hunt, Sebastian & Sienna Navarro, and Orion & Isadora Stoll. Mike worked 50 years as a Broadcast Journalist and served over 25 years as News Director in NYC at both WNEW & WHN Radio. He was the on-air news anchor for Mutual Broadcasting and NBC Radio Networks, covering on scene major news events including Far East Korean War interviews, Vietnam Peace talks in Paris, Space launches at Cape Canaveral, Presidential Conventions and Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous Freedom March on Washington, DC. As a United Nations Correspondent, he flew on the first flight of the Boeing 747 from New York to Paris. He also covered the restoration of the Statue of Liberty from outside the torch. Mike won multiple awards for his career in broadcasting including the coveted Sigma Delta Chi Distinguished Service National Journalism Award, The Deadline Club NYC award for “Broadcasting Excellence” and the Associated Press Award for “Best Radio News Program in New York City”. Mike was a long time model railroad lover who became known as “Mr. Mountain” for his specialty in crafting realistically scaled mountain scenery upon his retirement. In his home he would most often be found running his coveted O Gauge “Red Rock & Roll RR”. Mike was also a talented musician who played piano and keyboard. Much to everyone’s surprise at this 90th birthday party, Mike brought joy and smiles to his family by playing the guitar. Mike was a longtime active parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church Tenafly, where he served as lector and usher for nearly four decades. He will be dearly missed. Visitation at Barrett Leber Funeral Home, 148 Dean Dr., Tenafly, NJ on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 3-7 PM. Funeral Mass, Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 10 AM at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Tenafly. Interment to follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Office of Concern Food Pantry (55 W. Demarest Ave., Englewood, NJ 07631).