Gaetano T. Rizzo

Waltham – Retired Waltham Fire Lieutenant Gaetano T. ‘Guy’ Rizzo died Monday, April 11, 2005 in his home. He was 86. A lifelong Waltham resident, Mr. Rizzo was appointed to the Waltham Fire Department in 1952 where he was known by many of his brother firefighters as "Mr. Fix It". He served the city and his department as a respected and dedicated officer for 33 years until his retirement as a Lieutenant in 1983. Mr. Rizzo was a graduate of Waltham High School in 1938. He worked at Hillcrest Experimental Farms in Weston and joined the Massachusetts Calvary where he spent time until his enlistment in the U.S. Army in 1941. He attended the Mechanical Engineering School in St. Louis, Missouri and spent 3 ½ years stationed in the South Pacific as a member of the Americal Division where one of his many duties included the assembly of Piper Cub airplanes. Upon his discharge from the service, Mr. Rizzo took a position with the Railway Express. Mr. Rizzo loved spending time with his family and traveling. He journeyed throughout Europe and northern Africa and was a frequent cruise ship passenger. He spent summer vacations fishing in Nova Scotia. His passion from an early age was gardening. He spent countless hours toiling in his vegetable gardens in Waltham and on Cape Cod long after his retirement. His faith was very important to him. He served as an Eucharistic Minister at Saint Jude Church in Waltham for many years. Mr. Rizzo was a member of the Waltham Elks and the Sons of Italy. He was the son of the late Joseph and Grace (DeGueseppi) Rizzo and the brother of the late Anthony and Basil Rizzo. Mr. Rizzo is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Marie B. (Carroll) Rizzo; his children, Attorney Joseph E. Rizzo of Boston and Sally A. (Rizzo) Sheehan and her husband Robert, of Watertown; his grandchildren, Nicole, Kelly and R.J. Sheehan; his sisters, Angelina Musci and Josephine Furdon both of Waltham, Dominica Luca of Maynard, Santa Walazek and Christina Rizzo both of Auburndale; one brother, Salvatore Rizzo of Waltham; and many nieces and nephews. The Funeral will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Jude Church at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Watertown. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Catholic Charities, 49 Franklin Street, Boston, MA 02110 or to Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02453.