Neshat Bilali, 97 of Hackensack, passed away on Saturday, June 7th, 2025. Born in Bicaj, Albania, his family was intimately involved in the resistance to communism in Albania. At a young age, he collaborated with the well-known nationalist Muharrem Bajraktari against this regime. As a result, he would have to flee to save his life. After a thirteen day trek, he escaped from Albania to Greece in 1946. In 1951, he went on to W. Germany, where he was included in an American Secret Service operation to overthrow Albania's dictator. From there he went to Bari, Italy (all the while as a refugee). In 1955, Neshat finally received political asylum from the United States, coming to New York Harbor by ship and settling in Hackensack. Prior to retiring, he worked for Ford Motor Company in Mahwah for many years. Beloved husband of Sanije (nee Perolli). Devoted father of Jasmine Bilali of Manhattan and Agron Gunther Bilali of Franklin Lakes. Neshat leaves behind two surviving brothers (Esat and Muharrem), a vast Albanian community in the U.S. and globally, and neighbors and friends who knew him as "Bill."

Visitation will be held at the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, on Monday, June 9th from 5:00 - 8:30 PM. A Prayer Service will be held on Tuesday, June 10th 10:00 AM at the funeral home, with burial following at George Washington Memorial Park Cemetery, Paramus. To send condolences, get directions or request further information, visit www.gentilefuneralservice.com