George Robert Rizzo

George Robert Rizzo of West Melbourne, Florida died on August 3, 2016 at home with his family after a long battle with lung cancer and COPD. George was born in Syracuse, NY on April 13, 1934 to the parents Joseph and Christine Rizzo. He is predeceased by siblings Beatrice, Joseph, and Paul. Rosemary is his only surviving sibling.

George joined the United States Army and served during the Korean Conflict. After serving his country, he came home and fell in love with the girl across the street. On May 7, 1960 he married his true love, Elizabeth Dantonello. Together they had 6 children (Bill, George Jr., Jackie, Leslie, Michael, and Nancy) and 56 years of blissful marriage. George is predeceased by his son, George Jr.

George was always a devoted father and husband. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and still found time to create life long memories. He enjoyed taking his family camping and fishing, and supported his children’s interests.

George started his career in facilities management at Syracuse University. It was during this time he earned his Associates in Science degree from Onondaga Community College. In 1988, George moved to Florida and worked at Florida Institute of Technology. After retiring George went back to work; George was not one for sitting still. He worked at Palm Bay Hospital, and then he owned and operated a lawn care service. He was known to his family as the Energizer Bunny. George took great care and pride in his lawn and landscaping around his home.

George was an avid animal lover. He nurtured this love of animals in his children as well by always having pets in the house. In his retirement, he started feeding a colony of feral cats. He pampered these cats and even installed a camera so he could keep watch over them while they stayed in his garage. At the time of his death he was still taking care of 3 feral cats (Buddy, Spotty, and Sneaky) and enjoying the indoor cats that he rescued (Sampson and Rascal).

George is survived by his wife, Elizabeth “Betty”, and his children: William “Bill” (wife Denise), Jacqueline “Jackie” (husband Brad), Leslie, Michael (wife Christine), and Nancy, his grandchildren: Nicholas, William Jr. “Billy”, Kristina, Brittany, Beau, Teresa, Anthony, and Matthew, and his greatgrandchild Niko.

Services will be held Sunday August 21, 2016 @ 2:30pm at Fountainhead Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made be made to The American Lung Association.