Albert Rizzo

Albert “Al” Rizzo, 86, of South Glastonbury, peacefully entered into eternal rest on Monday, May 3, 2021 at his home. Born in East Hartford on May 27, 1934, a son of the late Albert J. and Jenny (DeLissio) Rizzo, he had been a life-long resident of the Greater Hartford area. Throughout his childhood, Al was active in St. Augustine Parish in Hartford, where he attended school, was involved with the St. Augustine Boys Brigade, and was a communicant of the church. Al left Hartford when he purchased 60 acres of land in South Glastonbury where he resided for the past 50 years. Al built his first swimming pool in 1955 and was the successful Owner and Operator of Rizzo Pools for 62 years.

Al pursued a long and distinguished career in his many volunteer activities both inside and outside the swimming pool industry. In 1958 he joined the National Swimming Pool Institute (NSPI), now known as the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). Al served in many positions with NSPI, including National Director of Region 1 from 1986 to 1990 and his long tenure on the Builders Council where he served as Chair and was instrumental in its many educational endeavors.

He also joined the Northeast Swimming Pool Association (NESPA), now known as the Northeast Spa and Pool Association, and became a Connecticut Representative in 1962. Through his nearly five decades with the association, Al served in every elected and appointed position at NESPA, including President in 1984-1985.

Seeing the need for a more local state-based trade association for his home state, Al started the Connecticut Swimming Pool Association (CONSPA) in 1967 and became its first president. Al continued for many years to hold the role of Chair of the Government Relations Committee, and he played a crucial role in the passage of the first-ever pool service and pool builders’ license requirements by the Connecticut legislature and Department of Consumer Protection.

During his many years serving his industry and his association, Al was responsible for many “firsts.” At the national level during Al’s nearly 15-year tenure (1994-2008) as the Education Chair of the Builders Council, he spearheaded and was the lead author of the “First Edition of the Builders Reference Manual”. Published in 1998, the manual was 500 pages and was commonly called “The Bible” for the pool industry. In addition to authoring and editing the Builders Manual, Al was called upon many occasions to assist PHTA in the development of industry standards. These would become the backbone of all building code regulations for the recreational water environment industry.

Al was a tireless proponent for licensing all pool and spa professionals, spearheading the legislative battle and later victory of enacting the first-ever service contractors’ license in Connecticut in 1999. Finally, his crowning accomplishment was directing the industry and chapter effort to pass the first-ever pool builders license in June 2011.

Rizzo Pool Company had been the recipient of many, many accolades and awards in the service and building segments of the industry. They have received many gold, silver, and bronze Design Awards throughout the years, including “Best of Show” several times and the NESPA 2010 & 2011 Service of Excellence Award, along with the entry into the Registry of Americas Great Pool Builder, Luxury Pool 2003. In 2012, Al received the first time ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Master Pool.

Al also devoted numerous hours of his volunteer time to area organizations outside of the recreational water environment, as a member of UNICO-Hartford Chapter for over 55 years and served on the Board of Directors of the Better Business Bureau as well as the Franklin Avenue Merchants Association in Hartford. In 2007, Al was awarded “Businessman of the Year” and received four citations. He was also a Consultant for the State Consumer Protection Agency.

Despite Al’s impressive list of professional achievements, his greatest love was his family and extended family and friends. The heart of his legacy beats most strongly within his relationships. He was the person you could count on showing up, no matter the circumstances. Al went out of his way for others routinely, but it is safe to say that thought never crossed his mind. For him it was the norm, not the exception. Al was active and loved to create and share experiences with others. He hosted dinners and parties that were epic, traveled and visited friends and family across the country, was deeply engaged in the lives of his children, and reveled in the growth and activities of his grandchildren. Al’s home was always open and prepared for visitors. As recently as last week, he cooked up a big dinner for visiting family. He relished engaging with all around him. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

Al is survived by his three children: daughter, Lisa Gagnon and her husband Cary of South Glastonbury; daughter, Gina Galvin and her husband Jim of South Windsor; son, Dr. Albert “Skip” Rizzo, III and his wife Dr. Janiece Turnbull of Los Angeles, CA. Al was predeceased by a son, Anthony J. Rizzo of South Glastonbury. He also leaves his seven cherished grandchildren, James Galvin, III, Jordan Galvin, Julia Galvin, Jillian Galvin, Cameron Gagnon, Aidan Gagnon, and Isabella Gagnon; a brother, Richard C. Rizzo of Wethersfield; a sister, Evelyn Slabinski of Venice, FL; many nieces, nephews, cousins, former customers, and dear friends.

Funeral service will be Tuesday (May 11) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit of Annunciation Parish, 183 Church Street, Newington. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Tuesday morning. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Park, (Section 25), Elm Street, Rocky Hill. Al’s family will receive relatives and friends at “walk-through” calling hours on Monday (May 10) from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Due to the current health pandemic, everyone is asked to please wear a face covering and adhere to all state, church, and funeral home regulations. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Al’s name may be made to the Anthony J. Rizzo Scholarship Fund, c/o NESPA, 6B South Gold Drive, Hamilton Township, NJ 08691. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.