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John Pizzi Obituary
78, of Phoenix, AZ went home to be with the Lord on 11/28/09. He was born on October 4, 1931 in Boston, MA. John proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps in Germany after WWII. He finished his service with the United States Air Force. Stateside, he worked for the United States Postal Service until his retirement in 1980. He was a pillar of leadership for his children as they grew. His hobbies were horse racing, Boston sports teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Scratcher lottery tickets. An established drummer, he enjoyed listening to the music of Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass. He looked forward to his Saturdays, eating pizza and watching "The Lawrence Welk Show". He is survived by his loving wife, Anna, of 57 years, his three sons John (Denise), Thomas (Wendy), Joseph, and daughter Jo Ann. He has seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He will live on in our hearts. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located at 23029 North Cave Creek Road in Phoenix, Arizona. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
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Memories and Condolences
for John Pizzi
Carrie Morrill
December 8, 2009
Dear Anna, I am sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed seeing your husband when he came to Boston. I am sure he and Toni are up there playing cards and smiling down on you and your family. I will keep all of you in my prayers. Carrie's oldest daughter.
Terry & Betty
December 7, 2009
A soaring raptor serves a reminder that we must all enjoy the moment.........
Coming down out of the Superstitions, I see a raptor far out over Lost Dutchman's Stare Park, soaring on flat wings. In shady sections, the trails are full of wildflowers breaking into the open. We feel the welcome warmth of the early-afternoon sun. The hawk, closer now, is drifting on the west wind, holding steady, without wingbeats, searching for a thermal. It is a red-tailed hawk, although immature with speckled belly and a banded tail; there is no hint yet of red yet.
Nearly overhead now, it begins to circle, rising slowly on each radius of its upward spiral, still without wingbeats. It has caught an afternoon thermal lifting off the mountain, and We watch its inevitable egress from our earthbound world with that visceral wistfulness watching a raptor on the wind. Circles ever widening until it reaches some unseen apex, it breaks off and begins to run down the wind, quickly now, no longer drifting, but in full soar. In but a moment it will be gone.
Suddenly, inexplicably, the hawk dips one wing, causing just the slightest hesitation in its power glide. It has intersected an updraft or, more likely, has spied something of interest on the desert floor far below. Then, just as suddenly, the bird rights itself and resumes its hurried passage.
Aeronautical engineers or scientist, could explain the how and why of a raptor's momentary stall while in full soar. But we are not an engineer or a scientist. We simply embrace the grace, the beauty and the mystery of this hawk's mastery of the wind, not dissect it or even understand it. The experience is enough, without knowledge of the knowable - or the unknowable.
Even as we watch the hawk, we know we will never see it again. In a heartbeat, in just that blink of focus, it has slipped my universe, leaving behind only its indelible memory and we are left only to enjoy the moment.........
John, where you used to be there is a hole in our world. I've often thought the reason it hurt so much to separate was because our souls were connected but we know as long as we live so do you. So each day, in our minds eye, we plant a single flower for every time we think of you and walk forever in that secret garden.
Greta La Fleur
December 5, 2009
anna i am so sorry for your loss. my prayers to you and the kids
walter pizzi
December 5, 2009
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
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Jennifer Pizzi
December 4, 2009
Grandpa I love you soo much. I will miss you deeply. I am thankful for all the happy memories I have of you. A few months ago we were visiting and we sat on the couch watching the George Lopez show and laughing. I am so glad that my kids had the honor of meeting you. Marquis is determined to play professional baseball in your honor someday. We will carry you in our hearts forever. Grandma we love you and are here for you. The Lord will give you peace. Love you Grandpa.
Jackie,Greta Pizzi
December 4, 2009
Dearest Anna, What a sad day for us all. John will be missed so much in this world. We will always remember the the great phone calls from him, and his laugh.my heart is so saddened. now god surely has a bright star for us to gaze upon. we love you and miss you John. My brother, you are gone from this earth , but you live forever in our minds and memories. Our deepest sorrow and symphthy to the children and Anna
Dora Schmelz (Cruz)
December 4, 2009
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
December 2, 2009
Anna our prayers to you and the family as we think of John and the memories we have . Ann & Vic
December 2, 2009
I love you grandpa Pizzi and will always remember the great times we had collecting baseball cards and routing for the Bruins. You will not be forgotten and live on inside each and every one you have touched.
Your oldest grandson,
Jeff
December 2, 2009
Anna our prayers to you and the family as we think of John and the memories we have . Ann & Vic
Catherina Brancaccio
December 2, 2009
Cousin John was a very nice man. He will be missed. God bless all his family.
Luv,
Cousin Catherina Brancaccio
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