Thomas Dignan Rizzo MD

Born in New York City on May 25, 1931, he is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years, Jean Kathryn Foley. Preceded in death by his parents, Rose and Peter-Cyrus Rizzo, M.D., his twin brother Peter-Cyrus Rizzo, III, M.D., and son, Robert Gerard. He is survived by his six children Thomas, Jr. (Margaret), Peter Foley (Charlotte) James (Patty), Kathryn English (J.L.), William (Elisa) and Francis (Meeghan), 20 grandchildren: Thomas, III, Katie, Elizabeth, Carolyn, Meredith, Hilary, Matthew, Alex, Madeleine, Abigail, Peter, Luke, Timothy, Grace, Claire, Lucy, John Patrick, Billy, Sara, Jean Kathryn; and dozens of nieces and nephews.

“Big Daddy,” as he was affectionately known by to his grandchildren, graduated in 1949 from Fordham Preparatory School. He was a cum laude graduate from Georgetown University and Georgetown Medical School in 1958 and 1956, respectively. The discrepancy occurred when he was accepted to medical school early prior to completing his undergraduate studies. He trained in surgery at St. Vincent’s Hospital (N.Y.) and in orthopedic surgery at The Hospital for Special Surgery (Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled). He also was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Following his service as captain in the USAF from 1959-1961, he completed a fellowship at Newington Hospital for Crippled Children. In 1963, he entered private practice and was a member of the surgical staff at Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville, N.Y. until his retirement in 2009. Over his career he had appointments at St. John’s Riverside Hospital, Dobbs Ferry Hospital, Doctors Hospital, and The Hospital for Special Surgery.

He was a member of a number of medical and academic organizations including the American Medical Association, Georgia Orthopaedic Society, Past President of the Westchester County (N.Y.) Medical Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Eastern Orthopedic Association, Veteran Member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Georgetown University School of Medicine Board of Visitors, and the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. In addition to being a member of the Knights of Malta, he was an honorary usher at the Cathedral of Saint Patrick, where he was privileged to serve during the Papal visits of John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

After “retiring” to Georgia, he became involved with the Coastal Medical Access Program (CMAP) for Southeastern Georgia and was a member of the Board of Trustees for the International Seafarers’ Center.

His advice to his children and grandchildren was that “your inheritance is your education” and he afforded them a great one. It was with great pride he helped endow the Peter-Cyrus Rizzo and Rose Dignan Rizzo Chair in Orthopedic Surgery at Georgetown University School of Medicine in honor of his parents, and establish the Rizzo Family Science Lab at St. Joseph School in Bronxville, NY, a nationally recognized blue ribbon grammar school, where his children were educated.

A wake will be held Thursday November 4, 2010 from 4PM until 6PM at St. William Catholic Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place 10 AM Friday, November 5, 2010 at St. William Catholic Church, St. Simons Island, Georgia. Interment will follow in Oglethorpe Memorial Gardens on St. Simons Island. A memorial service at St. Joseph’s Church, Bronxville will be determined at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. William Catholic Church or the Hospice of the Golden Isles in Brunswick, GA. Edo Miller and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.edomillerandsons.com