Joseph F. Rizzo

Joseph was born on Oct. 28, 1934, to the late Fred and Anna Rizzo in Fredonia, N/Y.

Due to the the depression” and economic circumstances, Joseph spent much of his early days with his beloved grandparents, Joseph and Martha Rizzo who were local fruit and vegetable growers.

Joseph graduated from Fredonia High School in 1953. He was involved in many school activities. He enrolled at SUNY Fredonia and was active in varsity baseball, varsity basketball and Mummers. He was sports editor for the Fredonian (school paper). He was also the president of his junior class.

During his freshman year at college, he met the love of his life, Janet Upton, from Jamestown.

Two days after his graduation from college he was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served two years (1957-59) in Germany.

In 1959, he was hired by the Jamestown Public Schools as teacher at Washington Junior High School. He spent nine years in the classroom teaching students about history and world Cultures.

He received two masters degrees from St. Bonaventure University: administration and counseling.

In 1968, he was promoted to school guidance counselor. He also served as the advisor to student council.

In 1982, when Jamestown Public School moved the ninth grade to the Jamestown High School, Joseph became the ninth grade counselor.

He served as counselor until 1988, when he was appointed chairman of guidance for the entire school system. He was very instrumental in the development of the elementary guidance program in Jamestown Public Schools. He always claimed that this was his greatest accomplishment.

Joseph was also instrumental in the creation of the Guidance Career Center at Jamestown High School. He was very proud of the guidance newsletter that was distributed to high school students.

Joseph retired from education in 1994. Much of his retirement years were spent playing golf with his many wonderful friends. He was a very loyal Buffalo Bills and New York Yankee fan. He enjoyed NFL Draft Day and spent days preparing for the draft picks.

Surviving is his wife, Janet of 57 years. They were married on Dec. 30, 1961, in Ss. Peter and Paul Church; a daughter, Anne Marie Rizzo and a son, John Upton Rizzo, both of Jamestown. He is also survived by a niece, Sharon (Don) Schwertfager of Fredonia, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Rachel Devereaux; and a nephew, Marcus Mauro of California.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Martha Chambers; and his niece, Debra Chambers.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Thursday, in Holy Apostles Parish at Ss. Peter and Paul Church. The Rev. Dennis W. Mende will be celebrant. Burial will be in the Lakeview Cemetery.

Friends will be received from: 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 6, in the Lind Funeral Home, where a Christian Wake Service will be led at 1:45 p.m.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

You may leave a condolence at www.lindfuneral home.com.