Allen Maurice Deraney

Allen M. Deraney embarked on his eternal jam session on October 16, 2025, at 75 years of age. Formerly of Ridgewood, Al was a longtime chemical engineer (Stevens Institute of Technology, '72) and supreme sultan of substance procurement at Lonza, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Jarchem Industries. A father of two and grandfather of two, "Jiddo" was proud of his Lebanese heritage and always shared the culture and cuisine with those around him, one large scoop of hummus at a time.

Al's friends knew him as Voodoo, Big Al, or Al Bone, but to his family, he was always Lanny. He spoke of the pompatus of love, embodying both the joker and the midnight toker while drumming for "The Tired Old Men" at his beloved Jam Nights in Woodcliff Lake. A fervent NRA advocate, American patriot, and Laurel & Hardy memorabilia collector, Big Al could be found most weeknights prowling taverns across Bergen County in search of fair-priced premium steaks and "groove-ulous" live music. Traversing the globe was a staple for Al Bone, and travel he did-to Germany, the World Bullriding Finals in Vegas, or most often, "Planet Zaytops."

Voodoo struck terror into both Democrats and all-you-can-eat buffets for most of his adult life. He unapologetically shared his views to anyone with an ear, such as "the Boss should have stayed out of politics" and "the Doobie Brothers should never have added Michael McDonald." For all his chutzpah and charm, Lanny was known best for his big heart. He always had an open couch for surfing and would lend his last dollar to help a friend. He lived by the "Golden Rule," and was, as he put it, "wrong less often than most people."

He is survived by his siblings, Lawrence and Maura; his two sons, Kevin and Eric; and two grandchildren, Luke and Emma. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 18, at 3 p.m. at C.C. Van Emburgh Funeral Home, 306 E. Ridgewood Ave, Ridgewood, NJ.