Ilya Leon Asanovich

Ilya Leon Asanovich, 82, of Mahwah, passed away on Sunday, January 11, 2026 . Born in Dubrovnik, Croatia, Ilya lived in Ridgewood, NJ before moving to Mahwah, NJ 19 years ago.

At the age of 28, he made the move to the United States to live the American Dream with nothing but determination, a deep belief in himself, and a dream to build a better life. That dream became a beautiful reality through his tireless work and his unwavering heart. During the first few years in this country, he met the love of his life, his biggest supporter and the heart of their home.

Ilya was a family man. His love for his wife, children and grandchildren was the center of everything he did. Sundays were sacred to him because Sundays meant family. It meant the dinner table filled with conversation and laughter, long car rides together, and the simple joy of being in the same space with the people who mattered most. He was deeply proud of the experiences he was able to provide his family through the many trips they took together. Those moments were his greatest treasure.

Though he was strong, capable, and endlessly hardworking, he was a teddy bear at heart. From constructing a beautiful home, which included his love of planting and landscaping, to running one of the most prestigious interior construction companies in New York City, his skill, precision, and pride in his work were unmatched. He leaves behind a legacy of strong family values, discipline, determination, loyalty and love.

llya is survived by his daughter, Christine Kearney and her husband Gerald, his daughter Athena Rutigliano and her husband Giovanni, his daughter Alexandra Gould and her husband Keith and his seven grandchildren Adriana, Harrison, Holden, Luca, Mila, Isabella and Juliana who loved him dearly. He is predeceased by his wife, Gail, and his parents, Petar and Ana.

A private family service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.