Obituary: Rizzi, Anthony “Tony”
He was born as Vitantonio Rizzi in Mola Di Bari, Italy in November 1931 to Vito Rizzi and Anna Roscino.
As a child he loved to play soccer, thus creating his fondness for watching it played in his later years.
He came to the United States in April 1948 from Naples, Italy on the SS Marine Perch to Ellis Island in New York.
He would often joke he received his nickname “Tony” from being stamped on the forehead: TO NY.
He lived in Brooklyn, NY where he worked as a meat butcher until joining the United States Army in March 1953.
He was first trained as a Military Policeman in May 1953 at Fort Campbell, KY and was then sent to Cooking School in January 1954 at Fort Bragg, NC.
In August 1954 he became a Citizen of the United States of America.
It was then, that he changed his legal name to Anthony.
He was discharged from active duty in March 1955.
He did receive an Honorable Discharge in February 1961 after six additional years in the Reserves.
He married Ellen Lenco in June 1956 in Brooklyn and worked as an MD (meat dealer) as he was fond of telling everyone.
Between Brooklyn and Long Island, Ellen and he had five children, Donald, Margaret, Victor, Donna and Ellen.
They moved to Las Vegas, NV in 1983.
The love of his life, Ellen, then passed away in August 1994.
He had continued working as a butcher, having worked for many companies, including Pathmark, Shoprite, Skaggs and Albertson’s.
He finally retired from The Rio in Las Vegas, after over 50+ years in the meat business.
In May 2010, due to his health issues, he moved north to Spokane, WA where he lived with his youngest daughter Ellen Bunke, her husband Troy and their two boys.
Ellen was able to nurse him back and spend another four and a half years with him.
While in Spokane he had a large and loving family to help take care of all his needs.
He was preceded in death by his brother Donato in 1937, his mother Anna in 1948, his father Vito in 1976, and his wife Ellen in 1994.
He is survived by his children: Ellen Bunke and son-in-law Troy of Spokane, Donna Rizzi of Arizona, Victor Rizzi and daughter-in-law Trish of Las Vegas, Margaret Rizzi of New Mexico, and Donald Rizzi of New York.
He has seven grandchildren; they are Melissa, Samantha, Briana, Krystal, Darren, Brandon and Evan.
He also has four great-grandchildren; they are Christopher, Aurora, Peyton and Hunter.
Another great-grandchild is soon on their way.
He is also survived by his cousin Isa Pinto and her son Armando Pinto and their wonderful family who live in Rome, Italy.
A Memorial Service will be held at Ball & Dodd Funeral Home at 5100 W. Wellesley Avenue in Spokane on Saturday, February 21st, 2015 at 10 AM.
He will be laid to rest at the Southern Nevada Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, NV at a later date.
In lieu of cards or flowers, please make a donation to the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children in Boulder City, NV at stjudesranch.org.