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TOZZOLI
Guy F., visionary founder and President Emeritus of the World Trade Centers Association, passed away in his sleep February 2, 2013 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, just 10 days short of his 91st birthday. In a lifetime filled with major accomplishments, he developed a large portion of the 1964-65 New York's World Fair, directed the planning, construction, rental and operation of the New York World Trade Center, launched the World Trade Centers Association, received numerous nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize, and created an innovative system for expediting trade transactions called TradeCard.
Born in North Bergen, New Jersey, he resided for many years in Westwood, New Jersey, before moving to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina after his retirement. He received a BS degree in analytic mechanics, an MS degree in physics from Fordham University and did graduate work at Princeton University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stevens Institute of Technology. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was recalled to duty during the Korean War.
In 1946, he began a four-decade career with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
In 1961, the Port Authority accepted a request by the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Corporation to develop the Transportation Section of the Fair, an 80-acre site that comprised one-quarter of the total Fair grounds.
Later, he originated and directed the development of the PA's Teleport, a satellite communications center and office park, including a regional fiber optic cable network. He helped found the World Teleport Association, now numbering over 100 members in 20 nations -- and served as its first president. He also conceived and launched the PA's Legal and Communications Center in Newark, New Jersey.
In 1962, he was appointed Director of the PA's newly-formed World Trade Department, consisting of the World's Fair project, the PA's trade development activities and the World Trade Center, which had just received bi-state enabling legislation. Described by Reader's Digest as "the largest building project since the pyramids," the World Trade Center encompassed 16 acres in Lower Manhattan, 15 million square feet of floor area, and seven buildings, including two 110-story towers – the tallest in the world at the time.
Over the years, the pioneering initiatives of Mr. Tozzoli with the New York World Trade Center attracted the attention of other regions worldwide. This led to the creation of the World Trade Centers Association in 1970. Mr. Tozzoli was the principal founder and the first and only WTCA president until his retirement last year. Under his stewardship, the WTCA expanded to include nearly 100 countries around the globe, with some members representing the most powerful trading organizations in their respective countries. During this span, he directed many innovative programs to help make World Trade Centers strong economic development engines in all types of economic and political settings. He was convinced that the best path to peace among nations was to build better global trade networks, and for his accomplishments, he was nominated in successive years to receive the coveted Nobel Peace Prize.
Following the horrific destruction of the New York World Trade Center on 9/11, there was some sentiment for canceling an upcoming WTCA general assembly and even changing the World Trade Center designation. Guy Tozzoli responded promptly and strongly that the assembly would go on as planned, along with the World Trade Center designation everywhere. In the end, there was an outpouring of support for his approach and a redoubling of the commitment of all World Trade Centers to promote not only world trade but international understanding.
Mr. Tozzoli is survived by his wife Cynthia (nee Holmes) Tozzoli, a sister, Rita Albert; children Susan Tozzoli, Richard Tozzoli, William Tozzoli, Michael Tozzoli, Kathleen Bernaldo and Tom Tozzoli; as well as two grandchildren.
Visitation, Sunday, February 11, 2-5 PM, at Becker Funeral Home, 219 Kinderkamack Road, Westwood, NJ. Funeral mass, Monday, February 11, 10:15 AM, at St. Matthew's Church, 555 Prospect Ave., Ridgefield, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the Tozzoli family requests donations be sent to the World Trade Centers Association Foundation for the establishment of the Guy F. Tozzoli Scholarship Fund. For information on donating to the Scholarship Fund, please contact Niurka Coteron at the WTCA ([email protected] / tel. +1-212-432-2626).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Valenda Newell
November 12, 2016
I remenber guy as a kid, when I was growing up in my grandmothers home at 27 Grant Aveue, Cliffside Park, he was one heck of a guy.
Frank N. Bovino Sr { DePerna }
September 13, 2013
I had the great honor to work with Guy since 1979 as General Manager of the World Trade Center of Belgium. I am almost 88 and followed him World Wide on every General Assembyl and Spring Meeting of the WTCA. He deserves our greatest respect. He was a great Guy !
Paula Marckx
April 29, 2013
Cynthia, May your heart soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Will always remember the wonderful time the two of you shared with us when we visited NYC.
David & Brenda Hopkins
February 16, 2013
Sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort from our Heavenly Father.
T W
February 14, 2013
Guy served in navy with my husband Walter; we loved him,so sad to loose him ,Love to all children.Pris .
February 12, 2013
Kathy,
Sorry for your loss, our deepest Sympathy.
Beverly Legaard
February 11, 2013
May God's peace and comfort be with your family at this time. So sorry to hear of your loss.
Iris Baston
February 11, 2013
HAPPY ARE THEY THAT MOURN,SINCE THEY WILL BE COMFORTED,"..MATT.5:4..CONDOLENCE TO YOU..Q
February 11, 2013
Sorry for your loss. We will be thinking of the family during this time.
Pat and Jimmy Thomas
February 11, 2013
Dear Family of Guy, I was enthralled by his Twin Towers. I still have the poster on my wall from 1983 when I visited! The saying: The closest some of us will ever get to heaven! But I know Guy is in Eternity and we will be with him through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Deb Mentzel
February 11, 2013
all of us who knew Mr. Tozzoli know how lucky we are!
February 10, 2013
The world lost a brilliant mind and generous heart last week. My condolences to Guy's wife and children.
Maureen Nevin Duffy
Maureen Nevin Duffy
February 10, 2013
Praying for all of you and hoping that the wonderful memories you have bring you peace at this very difficult time. RIP Mr. "T" and thanks so much for making The World Trade Center what it was -- our home away from home and the best place to work for so many years. Nancy and Chuck
February 10, 2013
My deepest sympathy to your family for your recent lost. May the God of all comfort be with your family.
Bonnie
February 10, 2013
Michael,
Our heartfelt sympathies to you, your sisters and brothers.
With Love,
Judi & Donna Segalas
February 9, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the Tozzoli family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead.
February 9, 2013
Legend
rob
February 9, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Sharon Williams
February 9, 2013
Introduced by his dear friend and colleague, Dr. Annie Wu. I have been blessed with the rare opportunity to meet Guy Tozzoli and to be touched by his vision, determination, wisdom and kindness.
The world is much richer for all he has contributed.
With greatest respect and appreciation
fred dubee
Heinola, Finland/Beijing, China
Fred Dubee
February 9, 2013
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. The bible can be of some comfort at john 3:16
February 9, 2013
May the God of all comfort and peace be with the Guytozzoli family.
C.S
February 9, 2013
We were sad to hear of Guy's passing. He was such of a wonderful man.Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Cindy and his family
Otis and Ann Kelly
February 8, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
G. Freeman
February 8, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
February 8, 2013
We were saddened by the passing of Guy. His beaming smile and great sense of humor will be missed.
Linda and Kenneth Metcalfe
February 8, 2013
May the God of all comfort strengthen the family and friends of Guy Tozzoli during this difficult time. God word speaks of a time when all suffering, injustice, pain, sickness and death will be no more -Isaiah 65:17,21-24.
Jeanette
February 8, 2013
May you find comfort in the Hearer of prayer at this time. Psalm 65:2
February 8, 2013
rip
michelle plakas-kaiser
February 7, 2013
Praying that the Tozzoli family can have comfort from the God of all comfort during this difficult time.
February 7, 2013
ray
head.
February 7, 2013
February 7, 2013
may god be with you in your journey now and with your family.
tonie spence
February 7, 2013
Sounds like a wonderfull man who will be greatly missed, yet leaves a great mark on what he was able to accomplish. The family must be extremely proud of Guy.No question Guy will be missed. May you rest in peace. God bless you.
Mark Branstrom
February 7, 2013
Rest in Peace
Scott Chamberland
February 7, 2013
Linda R. Dohm
February 5, 2013
I am so sorry to read of Mr Tozzoli's passing. I had the pleasure and honor of interviewing him in 1977 when I was a reporter for The Local Review ( Ridgewood Newspapers ) in Park Ridge. As I watched events unfold on 9/11 he was in my thoughts and prayers. I still have the original article since it meant so much to me to have the privilege of spending a day with him at his office.
My deepest sympathy in your loss of a very great man.
Linda R. Dohm
February 5, 2013
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