Francis Joseph Xavier Rizzo

COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 2170 HIGHWAY 88, BRICK, NJ



Francis Joseph Xavier Rizzo at the age of 79 passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 14, 2018 at his daughter’s home. He was born in Montclair NJ to Francis and Wilhelmina Rizzo. He proudly served in the US Army along with his friend Elvis Presley. Frank worked at Pearless Tube Co. and married the love of his life Barbara and resided in West Orange NJ. After having three beautiful children they moved to reside permanently in Point Pleasant Beach at their shore house for many years. Frank worked for New Jersey Motor Vehicles and then moved up to be a New Jersey State Trooper. After retiring from the police force, he had his own private investigation company. Frank also worked for Kennedy Trucking Co. and as a Code Enforcer for Point Pleasant Beach. Frank served as a Point Pleasant Beach Councilman which he was very passionate about and loved being around his fellow residents. He then learned to enjoy his retirement life. He enjoyed his life to the fullest with his children, grandchildren, and friends. He especially loved spending time in his garden which truly had the best vegetables you could ever eat and packing up baskets to deliver to his chosen people. He loved his parish, St Peters Catholic Church in Point Pleasant Beach, and donated much of his time there, paying it forward to so many.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife Barbara Ann Rizzo of Point Pleasant Beach; his parents Francis and Wilhelmina Rizzo; and his sisters Lois Babbage and Anna Mae Rizzo. He is gracefully survived by his three children, his oldest daughter Lois VanRiper and her husband Mark VanRiper, his son Francis Rizzo and his wife Karen Rizzo and his youngest daughter Diane Clark and her husband Frederick Clark; his four grandchildren he just adored to the fullest, Marissa VanRiper, Olivia Rizzo, and Gianna and Micah Rizzo-Clark; his brother-in-law Ronald Panuska and wife Joan Panuska; and many nieces and nephews.

As a human being he was so passionate and loving and was a devoted husband and successful father and a grandfather.

Anyone that had contact with him said he had the biggest heart and would do anything for anyone. Let’s not all forget his cat sound that scared everyone, his famous saying “You look exceptionally well today” and finishing his conversation with “God Bless You Now and Always.”

We welcome you to gather at his funeral to be held on Thursday, December 20, 2018, from 2PM to 4PM and 7PM to 9PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 2170 Highway 88, Brick. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, December 21st, at 10 am at St. Peter’s Church, Point Pleasant Beach, followed by entombment at Atlantic View Cemetery in Manasquan. In lieu of flowers, donations in Frank’s memory can be made to the Brick Animal Shelter, 185 Brick Boulevard, Brick, NJ 08723. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.colonialfuneralgroup.com