Nicholas Russell Rizzo

It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Nick Rizzo on August 8, 2024. Nick (Nicky) was born in Niagara Falls, New York on May 29, 1943, to Anna (Corrado) and Nick Rizzo. He was a man of with many talents and a loving heart. He was an athlete, a musician, an artist, a writer, a poet, a lover of dogs, and someone who was never at a loss for words. He had a great sense of humor.

Nick found his two lifelong loves early in life. While riding through the park on his bike at age 12, he spotted Cecile. He was smitten. And so began a love story that lasted 69 years. When he was in grade school, his parents bought him a saxophone. He began playing in local bands at age 14. He continued performing until he caught a serious case of Covid in 2020.

He graduated from Niagara Falls High School in 1961 and later, from Buffalo State University. During that time, he joined the Air National Guard. His unit was among the first National Guard units to serve in Vietnam.

Nick and Cecile married in 1967 and had two children. The young family picked up stakes and moved to Las Vegas in 1977 for better opportunities. Nick’s parents had relocated in Las Vegas and his brother Richard had already established himself as a dancer and choreographer. It was a good move. Family life was rich and full of love, laughter, and adventure. Nick was a devoted father, son, husband, and brother. He found a career in gaming and was able to pursue his musical career playing various venues around town.

Nick was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother, and his daughter, Deena, who was killed by a drunk driver. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife, and son, Todd, and his daughter-in-law, Claudia. In addition, he will be fondly remembered by his extended family of cousins, and the many people he touched and with whom he maintained relationships, including classmates, Vietnam buddies, Pine Avenue neighbors, Las Vegas Follies gals, and fellow musicians.

Nicky… we will forever miss your comforting presence, your big heart, and the sweet sound of your tenor sax.

A funeral mass will be held at St Thomas More Catholic Community, 130 N. Pecos Rd. at 10:00am, September 16. A military burial and reception will follow at Palm Cemetery, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. If you wish to honor Nick, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 45550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 100, Bethesda MD 20914.