Name: Visitation for Richard Polizzi
Start: 2019-04-20T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-04-20T17:00:00.000Z
Location: Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries

Richard Polizzi passed away peacefully after a brief illness at his home on April 13th, 2019 with his wife by his side. He was born on January 20th, 1930 in New Orleans and grew up in the French Quarter. True pioneers in the early days of Jefferson Parish, Richard is best remembered as co-founder of Patio Drugstore on the newly built Veterans Highway in Metairie. The full-service drugstore which he started with his Wife, Madeline, Brother-in-law, and Sister-in-law in 1958, combined a state of the art pharmacy and an old fashioned soda fountain and it became a landmark and gathering spot for the growing community and is still operating today. He was a graduate of St. Aloysius High School and received his Pharmacy degree with honors from Ole Miss in 1955 and later received a Doctorate of Pharmacy. Richard was very active in the Ole Miss Alumni Association and also served as president for numerous years. He and his wife were past board members of the Pharmacy Museum in the French Quarter. He was also an Inspector with the Board of Pharmacy for the state of Louisiana. He enjoyed his hobbies of photography and travel with his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Madeline (nee Marsiglia) and his children Richard (Carla) and Joseph (Michele) and his grandchildren, John, Hannah, Brent, Bryce, and Melissa. He is preceded in death by his parents, Sara and Joseph Polizzi, his sister, Grace Polizzi Buras and his grandson, Richard Emery Polizzi. The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to his doctors, William Rolston and Robert Songy. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA on Saturday, April 20th from 10am - noon followed by a brief Catholic Service officiated by Father Mike Kettenring. Interment will be immediately following the Service at St. Louis No. 3 Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, his favorite charity. The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Times-Picayune from Apr. 15 to Apr. 19, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Polizzi

Sponsored by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries.

18 Entries

April 25, 2019

May you take comfort in the fact that god will make you firm and he will make you strong in your time of sorrow

Cousin Gina & Son Gus Voelker Bobrowski

April 20, 2019

Dearest Cousin Madeline and Ricky & Carla Joey & Michelle , Hannah , Bryce & Melissa,

My son Gus & I are so sorry for your loss of such a loving and devoted husband , father , grandfather & exceptional human being .
I will always treasure working@ Patio Drugstore in my early , extremely incompetent teens , where I got to know Ritchie Madeline , Victor & Joyce , Aunt Mae & Uncle Angelo & for a brief time Aunt Francis as well , outside of just our earlier awusintence ship . And being part of the wonderful pharmacy cashier & delivery staff community that you created for everyone . Wish we could be there with you today and will keep all of you especially close in our best thoughts & prayers .
Love Always , Gina & Gus

a loved one

Sent Flowers

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Jeannie & Henry Macaluso Wirth

April 19, 2019

My utmost condolences to Madeleine, sons and their families. The Lords Love be with all of you

Gayle Gulliver Buhler

April 17, 2019

My family moved to Green Acres Rd in Metairie when I was nearly two years old in the mid -1950s. I can't remember a time when Patio Drugstore didn't exist. We children loved the soda fountain.

I vividly remember Mr Richie from childhood on. He was very friendly and nice to my family - the Gulliver family.

I remember when I was trying to establish my credit worthiness in 1979-80. I asked for an account with Patio and it was approved. Mr. Richie stopped to talk to my mother and say how fast the children had grown up -that once we had been toddlers coming in with our mother's and now we were becoming adults.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Richie.

Leslie Bertucci

April 17, 2019

So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.

Mike Dobbins

April 17, 2019

To Madeline and the entire Polizzi family, I extend my deepest sympathy on the loss of Richard. He was a good friend and will be missed by all

Regina Kahrs

April 17, 2019

I was saddened to hear of Mr Richard's passing. My parents blessed me by having Mr Richard and Ms Madeline be my godparents, and I am eternally grateful. l'll always have fond memories of my childhood living across the street from the Polizzi's. Love and prayers to the family.

Michael Bopp

April 17, 2019

I have such fond memories of the Polizzi's with Eddie and Patsy Bopp . So very sorry to loose such a old friend . Our hearts are with you at all times .
E. Michael Bopp

angela bobrowski

April 17, 2019

so sorry to learn that richie has passed on.
love you polizzis... sending thoughts and prayers

Sandra Durbin

April 16, 2019

To Mrs Madeline Pollizzi, and Ricky, Joey and family.. I will never forget all my childhood memories of you and Mr Richard All the laughter and craziness. Thank you for being a part of my family all of our life. You are a part of what helped us-go thru our life.

Sandra Durbin

Sent Flowers

Patricia Mire

April 16, 2019

So sorry for your loss. Your in my prays.

Patricia Bonnette Mire (SLC)

Cathy Durbin & Gary Mutter

April 16, 2019

I am just hearing of Mr.Polizzi's passing.I am so sad to hear this! Mr. Polizzi,as we all called him in our family,was our trusted adviser.When we were sick dad would drive over to Patio Drugs and know that the Polizzi's would take care of us.I'm sure dad had asked numerous questions about different health issues for his five children through the years. Mr.& Mrs.Polizzi always greeted us with smiles and were so comforting and helpful.This meant the world to us.My dad,Charlie,and my mother,Mitzie,respected Richard and his wife,Madeline, and considered them friends. Our family will always have a special place in our hearts for Mr.Polizzi. Love to Madeline all the family!

April 16, 2019

My condolences to all of the Polizzi family. I was very fortunate as a child to have uncle Richard and aunt Madeline as a second family. Memories of watching Apollo 11 blast off from Kennedy Space Center to the numerous following times and years together run deep. God broke the mold after his birth. He never met a stranger but if so, the conversation would eventually go full circle. And his humor with that iconic smile ! I still borrow his line when meeting someone named Denise by asking if she has a brother name Denephew. What a man, what a soul, what a blessing our paths crossed.
Blessings to all, Ken Scullin Jr

Kenny Spellman

April 16, 2019

On behalf of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart Alumni Association and Brother Martin High School, I offer our prayers and condolences. We will say a Mass in his memory.

Kenny Spellman '84
Brother Martin High School