Staten Island Advance (New York), April 8, 2007, Sunday

Copyright 2007 Advance Publications, Inc.

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Staten Island Advance (New York)

April 8, 2007 Sunday

SECTION: ANNIVERSARIES; Pg. D06

HEADLINE: Michael and Mary Rizzo Westerleigh couple combine travel with celebration of golden jubilee

BODY:

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - To mark the 50th wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Rizzo of Westerleigh, a double celebration was enjoyed by family and friends when the couple was feted at a luncheon in the Parish Center of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh, and again aboard the Diamond Princess cruise to the Mexican Riviera.

Prior to the luncheon, Mr. and Mrs. Rizzo were among the celebrants participating in a renewal of wedding vows for golden jubilarians at Holy Family R.C. Church.

Among the luncheon attendees were the original flower girl, Mrs. Rizzo's niece, Linda Sue Maki; her husband, William, and Patricia Casciano, all from Montvale, N.J., Edward and Maryann Ferdinando of New Dorp, who have been friends with the Rizzos since they all met while they were honeymooning.

The cruise was hosted by their son, Michael John and his wife, Rosemary of Lake Oswego, Ore. Sailing with the couple were their grandson, John Michael Rizzo, Mrs. Rizzo's sister, Rose Dardanglli of Dover, Del., who was the original matron of honor.

Mr. and Mrs. Rizzo received a congratulatory message from President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush and were presented with a 50-years marriage certificate from Edward Cardinal Egan, head of the New York Archdiocese.

Mrs. Rizzo, the former Mary Margaret Casciano, was born in Tompkinsville. After graduation from Curtis High School, she embarked on a full-time business career. Her first position was with New York Telephone in Manhattan, where she was a comptometer operator in the accounting department. She remained with the company for 10 years, taking a year sabbatical when her first child was born.

In 1973, she started working with the New York Police Department in Manhattan. As a principal administrative associate with the license division for 16 years, Mrs. Rizzo came in contact with many celebrities, and met baseball greats Willy Mays and Rusty Staub; opera great, Luciano Pavorotti, and former radio talk-show personality, Barry Grey. She then transferred to the 120th Precinct, St. George, and assumed the position of supervisor of civilian personnel until her retirement in 1994.

In 1981, Mrs. Rizzo met Mother Teresa while serving as president of the NYPD Regina Coeli Society for Catholic Women.

She received a certificate of merit from the License Division of the NYPD and a certificate in Trade Women's Studies from Cornell University through the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Manhattan.

DEDICATED VOLUNTEER

While the children were attending St. Teresa School, Castleton Corners, she served as a reading volunteer and was recognized by the retired and senior volunteer program RSVP/S.E.R.V.E. for 500 hours of service. Involved in church activities, Mrs. Rizzo served as past president of the Roses Society at St.Teresa R.C. Church and the Rosary Altar Society at Holy Family, where she is on the parish council. Mrs. Rizzo is a member of the Communication Workers of America (CWA) Local 1180, Manhattan. She enjoys gardening.

Mr. Rizzo was born in Bulls Head and attended McKee Vocational High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and served in Korea as an airman-aviation structural mechanic aboard the USS Philippine Sea CV47, Naval Air Station, based in Miramar, Calif., and received the Korean Service Award. He went on to serve for two years in the U.S. Army Reserves at Ft. Wadsworth and attained the rank of Corporal, 24MI (Military Intelligence).

Having received a general equivalency diploma, in 2002, he was awarded a diploma from McKee High School as part of the state's "Operation Rescue" program. Under its auspices, Korean War veterans were granted the privilege of receiving their high school diplomas since they were unable to complete their education due to military service commitments.

OPENED FIREHOUSE

After his discharge in 1954, Mr. Rizzo found employment at the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in Mariners Harbor, where he worked in the propeller shop. In 1957, he began a 33-year career with the city Fire Department. He was first assigned to Engine Co. 55 in Manhattan and transferred three years later to the newly opened Engine Co. 165, Ladder Co. 85 in New Dorp, where he was on duty opening day and is now a charter member.

A sports fan, Mr. Rizzo roots for the New York Jets and Yankees and skis with his grandson on Mt. Hood in Oregon. Playing poker with friends on a weekly basis and woodcrafting are favorite pastimes.

He is a member of the American Legion Five Star Post No. 1857, Graniteville, the Veterans of Foreign Wars North Shore Post, No. 7172, Westerleigh, where he can be found cooking for the members. He also belongs to the FDNY Retirees and Columbia Association and St. Teresa's Holy Name Society.

Members of the South Shore Country Club, Huguenot, Mrs. Rizzo is a member of the Women's Club and Mr. Rizzo can boast of two holes-in-one. (The second lifetime ace was at South Shore Golf Course while playing with the All Hands Golf Club of which he is a member.)

They are world travelers, visiting destinations from Alaska to Italy, the Caribbean and National Historic sites across the United States. They enjoy the New York theater scene and spending time in Atlantic City where Mrs. Rizzo catches a show and Mr. Rizzo tries his luck at the gaming tables. They are members of the Willowbrook chapter of AARP, where Mrs. Rizzo served as a past treasurer.

Mr. and Mrs. Rizzo met when they both worked at the former Fisher Beer 5 & 10 in Port Richmond, but they didn't begin dating for four years. They were married in Our Lady of Good Counsel R.C. Church, Tompkinsville, on Nov. 11, 1956. In addition to their son, Michael, they are the parents of Brian Joseph Rizzo of North Chatham, N.Y.

-Dianne Petrarca