Charles Lee Rizzo Sr.

Charles Lee Rizzo went to be with the Lord on March 30, 2023. He was born on July 13, 1940 and died at home surrounded by his family.
Daddy was one of those people who lived 3 or 4 lifetimes in his 82 years and in all of those "lifetimes" was respected and even said to be admired by most people that met him. From Professional Bareback Rider in the SRA, TRA, CPRA, and has his RCA card before it was PRCA. Rumor has it (what I was told by fellow cowboys), at some point during his heyday, Larry Mahan said he was one of the best Bareback Riders he has ever seen! Daddy was the 1964 and 1966 Southern Rodeo Assoc. Champion Bareback Rider and in 2020, was inducted into the South-Central Texas Rodeo Ring of Honor. In addition, daddy was a second-generation Houston Fire Fighter from 1962 - 1982 where he was a Chauffeur on E-49, driver for Chief Smith, and towards the end of his career, drove the "502 Truck" (1st Command Van) so he could go to all his Astros Games! Daddy left the Fire Department only because he was offered the Greens Superintendent job at Bear Creek Golf World in Houston. Yes, daddy went and grew grass on 3 golf courses, without a horticulture degree for one of the largest golf corporations in the country, eventually (American Golf). In addition to working as a "greens keeper," he was a member and past President of the South Texas Golf Course Superintendent Assoc. Shortly after Daddy left Bear Creek (18 years). I think he finally decided to retire and go be one of the best fishermen on the West End of Galveston full time. And just like everything else that Daddy did, he did it better than anyone! Daddy used to determine where the crowds at that San Luis Pass bridge fished not because he had any say so, but because wherever he was fishing, within 10 minutes, he was surrounded by boats! The reason for including all of the above is for me to let everyone who knew him well, not so well, or not at all know that in spite of being such a great man in regards to deeds or things he did in work and hobby, what he did better than any of that is be a great God-fearing man that was all about his family! Thank you for being the man, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend you were and the only thing that makes me happier than the memories of the time we spent together is the thought of having you upstairs watching over us all. Knowing how you were on earth in everything you did means that we all have one of the best Angels ever watching over us! Written by Charles, Jr. (Sharky).
He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Alice, his children Charles Jr., Connie and husband Mike. He is also survived by his grandchildren Heather, Dominique, husband Paul, Julia, Rainey, Riley and Jacob, and his great-granddaughter Elle who knew him as "Pappy." He is survived by his brother Jack, wife Suzanne, and sister Myra, husband John.
He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Lee Ora Rizzo, and his grandson Charlie.
The services will be held in Galveston and will begin on Tuesday, April 4th at Malloy & Son Funeral Home, 3028 Broadway. Visitation at 5pm and Rosary at 6:30pm. The funeral will take place on Wednesday, April 5th, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 1010 35th St. at 11am. A luncheon reception will be held at West End Marina, 21706 Burnet Drive, Located in Sea Isle Subdivision, following the funeral.