Thomas David Rizzo, 77, of Plant City, died Thursday, March 17, 2016, at his home.
Mr. Rizzo was born in Newburgh, New York, on July 23, 1938, to the late Vito Ralph and Othilda Callahan Rizzo. He was a 1956 graduate of the Newburgh Free Academy and went on to join the New York Army National Guard. While at NFA, he and his twin brother, John, would often be mistaken for one another. One night they decided to switch dates and see if their dates would notice. The results were disastrous.
While still a young man, he worked at the Ritz Theater on Broadway in Newburgh, New York for almost 20 years. There, he developed his passion for old cinema movies and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s music. Once he moved to Florida, he worked at Jesto and then at Brando Auto Salvage, where he retired. He always embraced new things and, as technology advanced, so did his love for computers and all things technological. He had an uncanny ability working on and diagnosing all things automotive. He was a kind man who loved animals. He was often outside feeding stray animals so they wouldn’t be hungry and would have some companionship. He was welcoming to anyone who knocked on his door and needed either a place to stay or a hot meal. He never met a stranger, and was known for his playful and fun-loving personality. He will be sorely missed by those he affected.
He is survived by his wife, Karen (nee Benner) Rizzo; son, David, of Cocoa Beach; daughter, Sharon Sherwood (Michael), of Jacksonville, Arizona; brother, Ralph Rizzo, of Wallkill, New York; children, Thomas Rizzo Jr. (Kara), of Pennsylvania, Stephen Rizzo (Peggy), of Colorado, Christine Ramos, of Massachusetts, and Margaret Schmidt, of Arizona; stepchildren, William May, of Wesley Chapel, Wendy Akers, of Valrico, Leanne May, of New York, Tracy Dubony, of Pennsylvania, and Jason May, of Plant City; 29 grandchildren and one on the way; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, James; brother, Frank; twin brother, John; and his other twin brothers, James and Samuel.
A celebration of life was held March 24, at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and Event Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Center, at StJude.org.
Online condolences may be made at WellsMemorial.com.