What shall we do?

[Joe Rizzo Dead]

Shall we pray?

[Respect Please]

Leave the man alone.Let him rest with his daughters.

[Lou D'Amaro Sr]

November 29, 2007



Mourners pay respects to former legislator Rizzo
BY RD J. EPSTN | Newsday Staff Writer
2:27 PM EST, November 29, 2007
Article tools
E-mail Share
Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo Print Single page view Reprints Post Comment Text size: About 115 mourners paid thr last respects to former Suffolk Legislator Joe Rizzo Thursday morning at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Terrace.

"There are men who give thr life to public life because they love thr life and love thr country, and that fits this guy to a T," Msgr. Peter Chiara said. "When he wanted something, he fought for it."

The Brooklyn-born Rizzo dropped out of high school at 16 and spent 30 years as a New York City transit worker, then had a second career as a county lawmaker. For a record 21 years, he represented his blue-collar district.




Rizzo died Monday at his home in Terrace.

Chiara said Rizzo's relationship with fellow Republicans was sometimes tumultuous.

"Sometimes it was costly because he didn't go along with everybody," Chiara said. "But he had integrity."

Legis. Cameron Alden (R-) lauded Rizzo's "common sense and working man's approach to life."

"He should be a role model for legislators to come," Alden said.

Michael LoGrande, the chairman of the Suffolk County Water Authority and a former town supervisor, said Rizzo was one of the best public servants he's known.

"He told you right the way it was, no question about it," LoGrande said. "He was a great man."

Angie Carpenter, the Suffolk County clerk who served in the Legislature with Rizzo, called him one of a kind. "There will never be another Joe Rizzo," she said. "He epitomized what an elected official should be."

More articles