Joseph Leonard Pizza

Joseph L. Pizza, 82, passed away Monday, 2/14/2022, in Tampa, Florida. Born and raised in Massapequa, Long Island, New York, he moved to Dayton at 18 to attend UD, and met his wife Mary (Frey), of Dayton. After graduation, he served in the USMC, after which they settled and raised their family in the Dayton area. For the last 2 ½ years, Joseph resided in Tampa, Florida. Joseph spent his life in service to schoolchildren throughout the Dayton area, serving as a teacher at Longfellow (then Middle) School; Principal at Westbrooke Village Elementary in Trotwood, Mary, Help of Christians Catholic School in Fairborn, and Resurrection Catholic School in Dayton; and finally, a teacher in the Dayton Public School System. Joseph loved the outdoors. He was an avid boater and fisherman, and loved camping, water and snow skiing, golfing, bicycling, and traveling. He is preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Mary (DeRiggi) Pizza, and wife of 56 years, Mary (Frey) Pizza. He is survived by sisters Angela (Malyk), Rosalind (Svenstrup), and MaryAnn (Browning); sister-in-law Katherine (Frey) Klain; his children, Leonard (Carol), Michael (Melissa), Joseph (Anita), and Cynthia Wilson (Christopher); 8 grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons, and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 am, Friday, March 4, 2022 at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-FAR HILLS CHAPEL, 5471 Far Hills Ave. at Rahn Rd. Dayton, OH 45429 followed by a funeral service at 10.30 am. Interment will follow at 12:30 pm in Dayton National Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas TX 75284-0692 or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.