Obituary of Louis Paul Pizzo

Louis Paul Pizzo, 78, of Vineland, New Jersey, died peacefully on Sunday February 11, 2024 surrounded by his family. Lou, affectionately known to many as "Butch", left this world far too soon, but not without making an indelible mark on his family and community. Born in Bridgeton, New Jersey on June 7, 1945 as the eldest son of Louis Pizzo, Sr. and Josephine (Traina) Pizzo, Lou attended Deerfield Township Schools alongside his three siblings and numerous cousins from his large Italian-American family. Lou attended and fondly remembered his experience at the historic Valley Forge Military Academy in Valley Forge, P.A., later returning home to serve as President of the Class of 1963 at Bridgeton High School. He graduated from Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio with a degree in Biology in 1967. While at Franciscan, Lou received the prestigious Junior Class Award in recognition of his academic achievements and was named President of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Delta. After graduation, Lou's love of all things natural led him to join his father in operating Six Points Farms, which he was instrumental in growing into one of the largest commercial farms in the eastern United States. Always standing out among his peers, Lou was a member of the Cumberland County Board of Agriculture, and was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture in 1970. While raising his family and building his business, Lou's lifetime of giving extended beyond the home and into his community where for over 30 years, Lou was an elected member of numerous boards and committees, including three terms as a member and Chairman of the Deerfield Township Board of Education, two terms as a member of the Cumberland County Vocational Board of Education, and two terms as Chairman of the Cumberland County School Boards Association. In 1980, Lou established Lou Pizzo Produce, Inc., a wholesale fruit and produce brokerage. Beginning as a one-man operation where Lou personally delivered product he sourced and loaded himself, he earnestly grew the business into a successful multi-state operation with employees and offices in New Jersey, Florida, Arizona, and California. A consummate professional, Lou was renowned throughout the produce industry for his integrity and business ethics. A trusted supplier to retailers and wholesale markets in major cities across the Northeast and Canada, Lou took great pride in achieving and maintaining the highest available credit and trading practices ratings in the produce industry for more than 25 years. A hard worker who rose before dawn each day, Lou was an equally lighthearted man with a naturally sunny disposition. Active and on-the-move until his final days, Lou was a certified and instrument-rated pilot, who often flew single engine planes to destinations around the mid-Atlantic. In his younger years he was known for announcing spontaneous vacations to Florida or to the Vermont mountains to ski. As he grew older, he enjoyed traveling even further, memorably taking his entire family - including grandchildren - on unforgettable vacations to Alaska and in 2014 to Italy enabling three generations to explore their heritage together. An accomplished businessman, Lou's work was never done to gather luxuries for himself. A naturally joyful person, his leisure time never aimed at personal pleasures alone. In these and all other endeavors, Lou dedicated himself to a singular purpose and true passion - his family. Anchored by his commitment to his wife Angie, his loving partner in all things for over 57 years, Lou's quiet and confident leadership set an ideal for his three children, eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Always prizing time together as a family above all else, Lou spent countless hours sharing his wisdom, encouragement, and passion for life with his children and grandchildren around the family dinner table, his favorite place on earth. As he moves on to the eternal feast of heaven, we remember a truly wonderful man who lived his life for others, and set an example for all who come after. Lou is survived by his wife Angelina "Angie" Pizzo (Coia); his children, Gina D'Orazio (James), Jennifer Bifulco (Michael), and Christopher Pizzo (Jennifer); his grandchildren, Anthony Tamburri (Claire), James D'Orazio Jr., Carmen D'Orazio, Michael Bifulco II, Violet Bifulco, his namesake Louis Paul Pizzo, Sophia Pizzo, and Thomas Pizzo; his great-grandchildren Ryan Tamburri and Maverick Tamburri; and siblings Jennie Mariano (Joseph), Christine Bidic Nicosia (Joseph), and Michael Pizzo (Marie). Funeral home visitations will be held on Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm and again on Monday morning from 9:15am to 10:15am at Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ. A funeral mass will be held Monday, February 19, 2024 at 11am at Parish Of The Holy Cross- St. Mary's Church, 732 Morton Avenue, Rosenhayn. Interment will follow in St Mary's Cemetery in Rosenhayn. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com