Wenceslao Bejer Azana Jr.

Azana, Jr. Wenceslao (Wence) Bejer, age 77, of Hawthorne, on Monday, June 5, 2023. Born and raised in Legazpi, Philippines, Wence was a valedictorian graduate from the Mapua Institute of Technology prior to immigrating to the United States in 1971. He has lived in Far Rockaway, NY, West Hempstead, NY, Hawthorne, NJ and Las Vegas, NV before moving back to Hawthorne. He worked as an electrical engineer for several companies, including Ideal, LJN and Hitachi. Wence was a parishioner of St. Anthony's R.C. Church in Hawthorne for over 40 years and attended church every Sunday at 7am and sat in the same seat each week.
Wence was the beloved husband of the late Priscilla (nee: Cabungcal) Azana (2020). Loving father of Shirley Mattioli and her husband John of Franklin Lakes, Cherryl Hayes and her husband James of Hawthorne and Cisco Azana of Hawthorne. Dear grandfather of Julia, Emma and John-Julius Mattioli and Connor and Mikayla Hayes.
One of Wence's biggest gifts to the world was his big smile that instantly brightened anyone's day and his great jovial laugh. He enjoyed keeping busy with projects, fixing things, traveling, going to casinos, watching FOX news and documentaries on Elon Musk, and time with friends and family. His weekly breakfast at the Hawthorne Diner after 7am mass and travels with his dearest friends, Anton and Elenita Baccay and Eulogio and Minda Macadangdang, were ones he always enjoyed. He loved being with his family the most, especially his grandchildren, and it didn't matter where they were, just as long as they were together.
The family will receive friends at the Browning-Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 4-8pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:30am on Friday at St. Anthony R.C. Church in Hawthorne. The interment will be at Christ the King Cemetery in Franklin Lakes.