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Michael Luzzi Obituary
Michael Francis Luzzi
February 13, 1943 - July 16, 2024
Michael was born to Marion ( Petrucci ) and Frank S. Luzzi at St. Clare's Hospital in Manhattan and spent most of his happy youth in Montvale, New Jersey. He earned degrees from Bergen Catholic High School, Seton Hall University and Fordham University with post graduate work at Cornell University.
An educator at heart, Michael began a career in New York State public education in 1964 and never wanted to leave. After teaching middle school science, he helmed elementary schools, held various central office positions in several school districts and conducted superintendent's hearings. When asked to name his favorite job, he always answered "elementary school principal." He loved kids.
His friends will tell you that Michael's other passions were his family, his dogs, especially Provost, and his basement workshop. Mike enjoyed watching sports of all kinds. He enthusiastically attended Cornell ice hockey games and was a long suffering New York Giants fan. Having broadcast basketball games on the radio at Seton Hall, he also developed an appreciation for college basketball. Naturally, his favorite spectator sport was watching his grandchildren participate in anything. Playing golf was a huge part of Michael's life. Despite the frustration, he enjoyed immensely the camaraderie and the coffee milkshakes that followed a round. Sailing on Cayuga Lake was his happy place. Being at the Ithaca Yacht Club afforded relaxation, wonderful friends and the greatest joy.
Colleagues and friends remember Michael for his honesty, integrity, humility, guilelessness, loyalty, sense of fairplay, deep concern for humans, animals and the planet, and most important, his great sense of humor. Hopefully God did not break the mold because we need more people like Mike Luzzi in the world.
Michael lived in Ithaca for 38 years and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanne, daughter Christina and her husband Ryan Wilkes, granddaughter Arden and grandson Michael. They thank the scores of medical personnel who cared for Michael during the last two years of his life. To their friends and relatives who have supported them in countless ways, the Luzzi family is eternally grateful.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 3rd at 10 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 309 Siena Drive, Ithaca, with a reception and party to follow in the parish center. All are welcome. The service will be live-streamed with a link on St. Catherine's website https://stcathofsiena.org and will be available for several weeks. https://boxcast.tv/channel/izrxkpfemabzytva9yuk
Two of Michael's favorite Ithaca charities are The Family Reading Partnership https://www.familyreading.org and The SPCA of Tompkins County, a no-kill shelter http://www.spcaonline.com. He also supported Tioga Rural Ministry https://tcrm.org and the Portal de Belen Foundation http://www.portaldebelenfoundation.org
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6 Entries
Helena Spring
August 4, 2024
I worked with Michael for about 6 years in Ithaca CSD. As I moved on I grew to appreciate what a splendid and rare colleague and friend he was. He made going to work fun and I learned a lot from him. One early morning as I went into my office I heard the beautiful music of the Four Tenors playing on my tape player. Mike had done this, bought me the tape and set it up as a surprise. It was lovely. He was a lovely guy. He love Jean ( and she him) so thoroughly. It was wonderful to be in their circle. I´m so fortunate to have had him in my life.
Mary Ann Apoldo
August 3, 2024
So, where do I start? Today is your funeral Mass and I can't bring myself to watch it online. Not just yet, anyway. Just like all those years ago when you retired from Mamaroneck, I couldn't bring myself to come in your last day. You called me "chicken" and a few days later I received a little, fuzzy chick in the mail! I remember your first day. The guy from Ithaca was coming. Now, that's a commute. You had a kind face and a nice smile. Later we all found out you also had a big heart. You put the Human back into Human Resources. You always had my back. I remember one time while doing an extra-long Board Agenda there were several Elementary teaching appointments. I was tired and decided to take a shortcut by cutting and pasting the word Elementary. Only, oops, I left out the "a". One of the Board members questioned the misspelling. In your calm, unwavering, manner, you looked at him, shrugged your shoulders and just said, "well, maybe she just ran out of As". They smiled and the meeting went on. Eleanor Roosevelt once said "Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart." Well, Mr. Luzzi, my heart is full because I was granted the privilege of having you in my life. Rest easy my friend. MA
Bill Eickhorst
July 31, 2024
First meeting: Michael was working a night shift as a grill cook at the Holiday House Restaurant on the Garden State Parkway. I was in design school and a mutual friend introduced me as a photographer doing an article on grill cooks. I had my camera with me and we got Mike to pose for a few photographs. He fell fo it hook, line and sinker. He didn't catch on until later when I was hired by the same restaurant!
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Monica and Paul Wilkes
July 28, 2024
This obituary so beautifully describes our relationship with Mike. Our mutual grandchildren were so lucky to have Mike in their lives. He always provided them with forthright conversation, direction and especially lots of good humor. We so much enjoyed our visits with the Luzzi's and Paul's golfing relationship with Mike was unparalleled. We have so many great memories: (white knuckled) sailing on a windy day on Cayuga Lake, Paul and Mike's golf adventures, visits to RI, visits to Latham for fun family events and the not so pleasant helicopter ride here. We and our children all have been blessed with knowing such a great person. Words well said are that we need more Mike Luzzi's in this world because his honesty and integrity were top notch. Seeing Mike recently, where we all shared the joy of our granddaughter's exemplary high school graduation, brought so much joy to Mike, Jeanne (and us), a pleasure that he successfully achieved after his unfailing motivation to attend this special event. We thank the good Lord for providing us with such a special person and true mentor. Sincerest sympathy to all who knew Mike and especially to Jeanne, Chris, Ryan, Arden and Michael. Jeanne, thank you for the wonderful caregiving you bestowed on Mike during his time of need. We will always miss Michael but we will never forget the good person he was.
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