ARKPORT-Frank David Rizzuto, 88, of 8 Holly Court, Arkport, died late Tuesday evening (July 7, 2015) at his home following a long illness.
Born in Flushing, NY on July 12, 1926, he was the son of Frank & Jane (Guerera) Rizzuto.
Frank grew up in Flushing and was a graduate of Bayside High School (class of 1944). From 1945-1946 he served in the United States Merchant Marine (USNR) and from 1953-1954 served in the US Army and was stationed in Korea. He was a Sergeant in the 8th Army Artillery.
He graduated from Alfred University in 1951 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and in 1952 graduated with a Masters of Education Degree. Frank later took advanced graduate studies at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
Frank was employed as a Senior High School Social Studies & English teacher at Roscoe Central School in Roscoe, NY from 1954-1962. From 1962-1965, he taught English at Nanuet Senior High School in Nanuet, NY.
In 1965, Frank was named Assistant Principal at Nanuet Senior High School and in 1976 was named Principal, serving in that capacity until 1979. From 1978-1982, Frank served as Director of Secondary Education of Nanuet Schools and in 1980 was named Principal of A. MacArthur Barr Middle School in Nanuet. He retired in 1985 and moved to Hornell.
Frank served as President of the Roscoe Teachers Association, Vice President of the Sullivan County Teachers Association, President of the Rockland County School Administrators, President of the Rockland County Public School Athletic League and President of the Rotary Club of Nanuet. He was a member of St. Aedan’s Parish Council in Pearl River, NY and a member of the Rockland County District Attorney Council on Drug Abuse.
While living in the Hornell/Arkport area, Frank was a member of Our Lady of the Valley Parish and a communicant of St. Ann’s Church where he served on the St. Ann’s Parish Council and also a member of the Adoration Chapel for many years. He served as Chairman of the Polio Plus Committee, was a member of the Hornell Rotary Club, was Chairman of the Buildings & Grounds Committee and Chairman of the Hornell Chapter of the American Red Cross.
Frank was Co-Chairman of the St. James Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, a member of the Capital Campaign Committee of St. James Hospital, a member of the Board of Directors of the St. James Mercy Foundation and a member of the St. James Mercy Volunteers. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hornell Public Library; a member of the Board of Directors of the Hornell Area Arts Council and an Associate of the Sisters of Mercy in Rochester, NY.
He was a member of the Hornell Rotary Club where he was awarded the Paul Harris Medal and served as a guest speaker of the Hornell Fortnightly Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Louis & August Rizzuto.
Frank was married on July 9, 1955 in St. Ann’s Church by Monsignor Gannon to the former Rose Ann Trentanelli who survives.
Surviving are his children, Elizabeth Ann “Lisa” (Robert) Dorn of Honesdale, PA, Mark Anthony (Katherine) Rizzuto of Denver, CO, NJ, Natalie Jane Tuzzolino of Pomona, NY and Christopher Francis (Cindy) Rizzuto of Cheshire, CT; 8 grandchildren, Peter Andrew Dorn, Dr. Elizabeth Rose Dorn, Amanda Marie Tuzzolino, Tess Isabelle Rizzuto, John Francis Rizzuto, Luke James Rizzuto, Grace Amelia Rizzuto and Brian Cantore; several nieces, nephews & cousins.
The family of Frank David Rizzuto will receive friends on Friday from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM at the Dagon Funeral Home, 38 Church St., Hornell, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. Ann’s Church with burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery with full military honors.
Frank’s family request that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name be made to either
St. Ann’s Academy, PO Box 446, Hornell, NY 14843 or to American Heart Association, PO Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220 or to Caring Voice Coalition, 8249 Meadowbridge Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23116. Memorial forms will be available at the Dagon Funeral Home.
In recognition to Frank’s service to his country, the American Flag at the Dagon Funeral Home will be flown at half-staff.
To leave an online condolence or print a memorial form, visit www.dagonfuneralhome.com
