Generoso Rizzo

Generoso “Joe” Rizzo, 90, of Wethersfield, beloved husband of the late Sandra (Volpe) Rizzo for 49 years, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 20, 2024. Born in Chiusano di San Domenico, province of Avellino, Italy on April 4, 1933 he was the son of the late Enrico and Nunzia (DeNapoli) Rizzo.

A man who lived simply throughout his life, our fondest memories of Joe always centered around the dining table surrounded by family and friends. For Joe and his wife Sandra, feeding people was an expression of their love and they welcomed guests to share a meal with them. From a plate of fresh figs or a cup of espresso to a freshly baked spinach “pie” to an amazing home cooked meal, Joe’s face was filled with pride watching people eat and he always encouraged his guests to take more. Whether a quick partita of “Scopa” or enjoying a plentiful meal, his happiest moments were times surrounded by lively conversation and laughter from those he held so dear.

As a fan of the Italian comic, Toto, Joe was a playful jokester who loved to tell barzelette and teach his nieces and nephews interesting tongue twisters. As a master of distraction, he would use those tongue twisters to playfully “steal” the food off their plates. In “retaliation” his nieces and nephews would fill their plates with more food to which Joe would respond, with a smile on his face, Toto’s catchphrase, “E io pago.” He loved to play cards - Scopa, Briscola, and Tre Sette to name a few - and was a master at dealing from the bottom of the deck… unless he was “caught” but then still managed to set the deck in his favor much to the ire of those playing against him. Joe was a social person, and he enjoyed his time together with others. Italian Social Clubs, visiting family and friends, and traveling to Italy to explore his native country, Joe always enjoyed a good and spirited chiacchierate!

For as much as he enjoyed his time spent with others, Joe also enjoyed the relative solitude of his time outdoors. Foraging for mushrooms where locations were never disclosed but somehow frequently “discovered,” was always a competition with his brother to see who would get there first. As an avid hunter and fisherman, he always shared his catch at the delicious holiday meals his wife prepared. Venison, pheasant, eel, and rabbit were prepared into meals with love and offered with pride.

A loving uncle, great-uncle, and friend, he will be forever missed by nephew, Vincenzo Pagliuca and wife Adriana, niece, Nancy Lamore and husband Michael and nephew and godson, Rick Rizzo and wife Tina, as well as several dear great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, and friends both in Italy and America. He was predeceased by his sister, Amelia Pagliuca (and her husband Ferdinando) and brothers, Enrico Rizzo, Raffaele Rizzo (and his wife Anna), and Carmine Rizzo. Special thanks to dear family friend, Peter Petruzzi for his love and support.

Family and friends may call on Friday, January 26, 2024 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield. Funeral services will begin Saturday, January 27, 2024 at 8:30 a.m. at the D’Esopo Funeral Chapel followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Christ the King Parish (Corpus Christi Church), 601 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield. Burial will follow in Village Cemetery, Wethersfield. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105. To share online expressions of sympathy with the family, please visit www.desopofuneralchapel.com.