Anthony Samuel "Sammy" Pizzolato

Sammy was a giving, kind, gentle, and smart man who never met a stranger. He was born to Charles and Josephine Pizzolato September 6, 1929, in Donaldsonville, LA. Sammy was a proud Army veteran of the Korean War in the 1st Calvary Division stationed in Hokkaido, Japan. He was a proud graduate of Catholic High School. Sammy met the love of his life, Bessie Love, at the American Bank & Trust Company, where he worked his way up to Assistant Controller. Sammy and Bessie would be married 69 years in June. They loved to dance. After retiring from the bank, he worked at Tony’s Seafood and Louisiana Fish Fry Products. He enjoyed helping his family’s business and spending time with his cousins, Bill, Mike, Joey, Cliff, and Tad, who he loved like sons. He was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Gabriel Catholic Church.

Sammy cherished every moment he spent with his family. He was a loving and supportive father to his daughter, Judy. When his second granddaughter was on the way, he built a house next door to Judy and her husband, Mark, so he and Bessie could help in any way possible. He adored spending time with granddaughters, Meredith and Megan. He never missed a dance recital, sporting event, or any opportunity to support his girls. Sammy enjoyed traveling to many different places with his family. In recent years, his great granddaughter, Mollie Jude, was the light of his life.

Sammy liked to eat (especially spaghetti and meatballs) and watch sports. He loved LSU Football and Track where he was a Marshall for many years. Sammy was a Louisiana High School Athletic Association Football Official for 40 years. He also loved to spend time in his yard, often gardening and picking pecans.

Sammy leaves behind his wife Bessie, daughter Judy Johnson (Mark), granddaughters Meredith Johnson Minor and Megan Johnson, great granddaughter Mollie Jude Minor, brother Charles Jr. Pizzolato, sister-in-law Virginia Pennison (Tony), numerous nieces and nephews, and a special niece, Evie Tate, who was like a second daughter to him. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Josephine Pizzolato, in-laws, Joseph “Babe“ and Thecla Cifreo, sister-in-law Belle Zumo (Warren), and grand son-in-law, Kevin Minor.

Special thanks to the loving care of Mrs. Nancy V Keller and her Caring Angels Machelle Jean-Baptiste, Ava Morris, Fredericka Keller, Gentiva Hospice’s nurse, Zhanna Bennett, and Father Charlie Landry.

Visitation on Friday, February 9, 2024 at St Gabriel Catholic Church, 3625 LA-75, St Gabriel, LA 70776, will begin at 8:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. with a Mass to follow the visitation. The same day, a graveside service at Port Hudson National Cemetery, will take place at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit www.rabenhorst.com