Neal Pizzariella

Neal Pizzariella, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, veteran, and friend, passed away at home with his beloved wife by his side. He was 82 years old and bravely fought his illnesses with courage, strength and optimism up until the very end.

Born on February 1, 1944, in New York City, Neal spent his early years in Hicksville, New York, where his family moved in 1956. He remained there until marrying the love of his life, Nancy, in 1971. Neal and Nancy shared 55 wonderful years together after first meeting while dancing at the Starfire Lounge in Levittown — a memory they cherished throughout their lives.

Neal proudly served his country as an Army veteran. He lived his life with bravery, compassion, faithfulness, generosity, gentleness, humility, and an unwavering work ethic. He was a kind and quiet soul whose greatest joy came from the simple pleasures in life and the people he loved most.

Neal was the devoted father of Joseph Pizzariella and his wife Jennifer, and the proud grandfather of Luke and Brooke Pizzariella, whom he adored deeply.

He is survived by his brother John Pizzariella and wife Kay; his brother-in-law Scott Gutman; and many loving nieces and nephews, including Dave and Cindy Bloom, Laurie Bloom and her husband Len Thon, Marc Bloom, Thorin Scott, Jean Marie Pizzariella, Tina Pizzariella, and John Pizzariella and his wife Kristen. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Josephine Pizzariella and his brother, Gerard Pizzariella.

Neal was a longtime resident of Deer Park for over 40 years before retiring to Ridge, Long Island, where he enjoyed a peaceful and leisurely life in the Leisure Knoll community.

He loved spending time at home with Nancy, surrounded by the many pets they adored through the years — especially his beloved dog, Oliver, along with many other pups, and birds, he loved watching the feeder outside the window. Neal especially enjoyed relaxing at home watching football, hockey, and basketball, always cheering for the New York teams.

Above all else, Neal loved his family. He will be remembered as a gentle, humble man whose happiness came from life’s simple blessings. He was deeply loved by many and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

We love you, Neal — “Yo-Yo” forever in our hearts.

The following was written by Jennifer Pizzareilla

Neal Pizzariella, age 82, passed on June 13, 2026, and was a resident of Ridge, New York.

We lost a one-of-a kind man, my father-in-law, Neal Pizzariella. To say that Neal, YoYo (the nickname my kids gave him as toddlers) was a good man is an understatement. I’ve always said that Neal is the best husband, sorry Joe! Married to my mother-in-law Nancy Vitiello Pizzariella for 55 years they were the most inseparable, content and happy couple that you would ever meet. They enjoyed the simple every day things in life like the sun shining, a hot cup of coffee and showing each other that they were the most important part of every single day.

When I was a new mom going back to work in the city with a two month old, Neal was newly retired and said I’ll watch Luke. He didn’t just watch our son, he taught him about the little things in life like chasing a frog, picking it up with pure joy even if it meant you were both full of slimy mud. The moments that sometimes slip away if you don’t stop to embrace them. Luke still remembers this day and it remains one of our favorite pictures of YoYo. Neal continued to watch Luke until he went to pre school and every teacher from the 2’s up to kindergarten would tell me that I had the kindest, most conversational and sweetest boy. I would like to say I could take all the credit for that, but I knew all of the quality time he spent with Neal. I never officially thanked him, but I’m forever grateful for this.

Your love and compassion for dogs and all animals is also felt in our home every day. Not many women can say that they married a man that was an only child with five dog “siblings”, most that you rescued as a family and cared for like they were your kids up until the very end. We too love our rescue dogs as part of our family.

In a world where we are all so distracted and concerned with what’s next, I hope we can all remember a little of Neal - being content, focusing on what’s in front of you and living in the moment. When I pulled up to the house yesterday I saw two empty chairs in the shade facing the trees and I got choked up knowing that an ordinary, yet special day to them was enjoying a beautiful day outside together in these chairs. I also think Neal brought us a little Knicks magic to find joy in a sad day knowing that our favorite family sport is 🏀🧡💙.

A Celebration of Life will be held at O. B. Davis Funeral Homes, 1001 Route 25a, Miller Place, NY 11764, US, on June 24, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, and again from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

A Committal Service will be held at Calverton National Cemetery , on June 25, 2026, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm.