John 'Jack' Rizzo

John Anthony “Jack” Rizzo passed away on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Sussex. He was 83.

He was born in Wyckoff on April 30, 1929 to Margaret and Anthony Rizzo.

As a baby and as he grew older, he spent many years visiting relatives in Connecticut.

Throughout those years he was called “Jack,” a name that remained throughout his life. He attended Ramsey High School, where he played football and was known as “Little Joe.” The newspapers referred to him as a “tiny ball of dynamite.” He enlisted in the Navy just before his high school graduation to serve his country on active duty in the Korean War. He served four years on the USS Harry F. Bauer, a minesweeper and mine layer, patrolling hostile waters. After his enlistment, he moved to Sussex, where his parents lived.

He worked for Cardinal Coat Factory, which his father owned. Later he and a partner bought the business and renamed it M&J Factory. He later sold that business and became a partner in Franklin Chrysler Plymouth, a car dealership which was located in Franklin. The dealership eventually moved to Sussex and became Franklin Sussex Motors. During the many years that he owned and worked at Franklin Sussex Motors, he was quite active in his community and continually supported many local schools, fire departments, athletic leagues/teams, tricky trays, Sussex County Firemen parades and more.

He also worked with or sponsored a very long list of area organizations and charity events, including the Sussex County Association for Retarded Citizens, the county United Way and many golf tournaments. He was Sussex County Chamber of Commerce 1985 Man of the Year, Sussex County Honors 1989 Honoree, Kiwanis Man of the Year in 1992 and received the Lee Iacocca Award for the preservation of the Statue of Liberty. He retired in 1997, but still continued to be active in the community. In his leisure time, he loved golf, but was unable too play for the last four years. He also enjoyed reading, taking drives, playing cards, visiting friends and being with his family.

Jack held office, had been or still was a member in many organizations such as: Founder and Honorary Chairman of the Johnny Rizzo Memorial Foundation; Honorary Chairman of the Johnny Rizzo Golf Outing; one of the original founders of the SCARC Foundation; one of the originators of the Sussex Elks; one of the originators and charter member of Pochuck Valley Fire Department; honorary member of Hamburg Fire Department; former member of the Board of Governors at St. Clare’s Hospital; Board of Trustees St. Clare’s Hospital; former Chairman St. Clare’s Foundation; Sussex County Chamber of Commerce; former board member of SCARC; past president/member Sussex County Dealers Association; National Automobile Association; NJ Automobile Dealers Association; National Federation of Independent Businesses; chairman/co-chairman of the Dodge Open Golf Tournament; and the American Legion Post 213 in Wantage.

Jack was predeceased by his son Johnny in 1982; his daughter Debra Schreiber in 1988; and his son Thomas in 2011. He is survived by his wife, Dale; his daughter Janice; three grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; his aunt, Bette Capodgli of Shelton, Conn.; his sister-in-law, Joyce Lakhan of Florida; his cousins, niece and nephew and great-nieces and great-nephew. Funeral services were held on Monday, July 9, from the Pinkel Funeral Home, Sussex. Mass of Christian Burial followed at St. Monica R.C. Church, Sussex. Interment was in North Hardyston Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made in Jack’s memory to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www pinkelfuneralhome.com.

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