Joseph Bizzaro Obituary

Joseph Bizzaro

Joseph Bizzaro, 65 of Tallahassee, passed away May 18th 2015 after a long and courageous fight with glioblastoma (brain cancer). Joe was diagnosed four and a half years ago; however, his inner strength allowed him to far outlive doctor's prognosis of his demise. The family is grateful for the time we shared after the diagnosis. Joe was a kind and gentle man, and a loving husband for thirty years to Sharon Kibler Bizzaro.

Joe was born in Miami, Florida August 1st, 1949 to Dominic J. and Edith M Bizzaro. Joe starred in football at Miami Senior High School. After graduation he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Florida in 1971, which fulfilled his lifelong love of storytelling.

Joe honed his skills for several South Florida newspapers before moving to Tallahassee to serve in the prestigious role of Capital Bureau Chief for The Palm Beach Times and The Palm Beach Post from 1978 until 1987. During those years he enjoyed taking part in the Annual Press Corp skits with quick wit and comedic talent "roasting" government figures. He worked at the Florida Bar as the Associate Editor of the Florida Bar News and the Bar Journal from 1987 until 1989. Then Attorney General Bob Butterworth recognized Joe's talents and asked him to serve as his Public Information Director, until General Butterworth left office in 2003. During this time, Joe remembered his first obligation was to provide the public with information they could use and understand. During his retirement, he sharpened his talent on his guitar, writing over fifty songs.

He is preceded in death by his parents Dominic J. and Edith M. Bizzaro, his brother Don and his sister Mary. Joe is survived by his wife, Sharon, his step-children, Lora Kibler, Valerie Kibler (Valerie Sullivan), Vance Kibler (Sheri Simasek); his three grandchildren, Nicole and Andrew Fabian and Sarah Kibler; his niece Tamarah Blanco (Bobby and their two children); his sister-in-law Donna Bizzaro and brother-in-law Al Watson.

If you have it in your heart to remember Joe, he would appreciate your donations to help others by giving to one of his favorite charities St. Jude or Salvation Army.

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

Published by Tallahassee Democrat from May 23 to May 25, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Bizzaro

10 Entries

Terry McElroy

January 25, 2016

Joe and I shared a suite in the Florida Press Center, participated in the Press Corps skits together for years and worked across the hall from one another when we entered government. I'll miss Joe very much - one of the most decent human beings I've ever known.

May 27, 2015

Joe was one of the best ever, a mild-mannered reporter if there ever was one. He was one of my favorite people when we worked in the Tallahassee press corps together and afterward. I will never forget the good times we had together and what a steadying influence he was. Judy and I see him and some of our other press corps friends every day in this picture that hangs on the wall of our study.
Bill Kaczor

Larry Lipman

May 26, 2015

So sorry to hear of Joe's passing. I have fond memories of him from the Capitol Press Corps in the early 1980s.

May 26, 2015

Sharon, please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you (and the family). I don't think I'd ever met anyone as brilliant, worldly, honest and just down right loving as Joe. During the years we worked together in Bob Butterworth's office, I learned a lot from him and he truly made every day fun and enlightening. I hate that time went by so fast and I became so busy that I didn't keep in touch. I never ever forgot Joe. I will always find a smile when I think him.
Shirlyne Everette

Jennifer Lyons

May 25, 2015

Val, my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

May 21, 2015

Great friend for many years, super cool guy, smart, witty, nice. He made the world a better place and we miss him already.

- Corinne Hunter and Stewart Nelson, Tallahassee, Florida

Gary Yordon

May 20, 2015

Very sweet guy...sad day....

1983 Press Skits; all of us singing something Joe wrote!

Kevin Deyo

May 20, 2015

I had the pleasure of being in the Press Corp with Joe for a number of years. Each year at Skit time Joe's writing rose to the top with very clever lyrics for old standards. Never mean, but sharp, witty parody of the days rascals in the Legislature! Of course the rest of the year he was always a pleasure to be around!

John Kennedy

May 20, 2015

So sad to hear about Joe. I knew Joe during his days in the Capitol Press Corps and later when he worked for Attorney General Butterworth. He was a great guy, a solid newsman and one of the real talents and creative minds in the annual Press Skits of long ago. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He will be very missed.

John Kennedy
Palm Beach Post
Tallahassee

Colin Hackley

May 20, 2015

I'm saddened to learn of Joe's passing. I enjoyed knowing Joe at the Capitol and always appreciated the way he mixed his wit and desire for a good laugh in with the work he did with the Capitol press corps.

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