Michael David Rizzo

It´s hard to believe it´s been nearly a year since you left us. Not a single day has gone by without thoughts of you-I know I´m just one of so many who miss you deeply. Our time with you was far too short. To honor your memory and your family, I will plant a tree-a symbol of life, growth, and the love that still surrounds you. Your presence continues to live on in all of us. Always, Chrissy Conroy

I miss Mike nearly every day. Over the past 8 months I've picked up my phone to call him, text him, so many times.... and then i remember he's gone. I thought we would grow old together and, selfishly, that he'd always be there for advice. Which I've needed this past year. Mike taught me a lot.

From the Hobart College English department 1992.

Poem 072: Gratitude to Old Teachers

When we stride or stroll across the frozen lake,
We place our feet where they have never been.
We walk upon the unwalked. But we are uneasy.
Who is down there but our old teachers?

Water that once could take no human weight-
We were students then-holds up our feet,
And goes on ahead of us for a mile.
Beneath us the teachers, and around us the stillness.
-Robert Bly

Dear Ray, Marianne, and the entire Rizzo family,

Please accept the Cochran family´s deepest condolences during this unimaginably difficult time. Ray and Marianne, needless to say it´s not supposed to happen this way, we aren´t meant to say goodbye to our children. Our hearts are truly broken for you. We also want to express how sorry we are to Rick for losing such a great brother and to Michael´s children for losing their dad.

That beautiful obituary showed that Michael was a remarkable person. He touched the lives of many, especially his family. It is obvious that he brought love and joy to the people around him. Jesus tells us that this is not the end, but only the beginning of a new life together in Heaven.

To quote Mitch Albom "Death ends a life, not a relationship." We pray that your relationship continues to fill your soul until that time when you will certainly meet again.

With deepest sympathy,

The Cochrans (Dean, Brandi, Katie, Ava, and Lynne Harder Cochran)

Debra, please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of Michael. I am thinking of you and William at this time. May his memory be a blessing.

I knew Michael through Ray and Marianne. I know that Michael was an incredible LOVING Dad to William, son to Ray and Marianne and brother to Rick. Simply put, he loved his family 24/7. He was fiercely loyal to family and friends, always there to help and support when needed. He was a giver, not a taker. And equally meaningful, he was sensitive to other people's needs and concerns. He will be missed greatly by everyone who had the pleasure and honor to know him and spend time with him.

Our Condolences to the Rizzo family. From Skyler and Derrick Bell.

Mike helped me learn to write when I became a lawyer in 1994. His writing skills were vastly superior to my dorky lawyer colleagues. He had an amazing ability to look people in the eyes and relate to them without pretense. Riz was like a second big brother to me and I will miss his warm voice and gentle but firm demeanor. The world became a hell of a lot colder and less kind losing this diamond of a man. His loss stings and is personally impossible to process. Love you brother Riz and thanks for being a wonderful part of my last 30 years.

Mr. Rizzo always made me laugh when he and Will would go back and forth arguing about our school and travel lacrosse teams. Mr. Rizzo didn't take any of Will's excuses and pushed us to be better individually and as a team. I'll always remember that about him. He motivated us to play together and win.

I'll miss Mr. Rizzo dearly.