Pantaleone ‘Leo’ Rizzo, experienced aviator
Pantaleone "Leo" Rizzo, 91, of Seaford, passed away Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at his home. He was born in New York City, N.Y., Sept. 4, 1926, son of the late Ernesto and Benedetta (Governanti) Rizzo.
Mr. Rizzo honorably served in the U.S. Army Armored Corps during World War II. He attended Hofstra University where he studied engineering. He worked as a machinist and in machine tool sales with his father in Morey Machinery before moving into large machine liquidation for Loria Brothers. Mr. Rizzo then worked as a photographer and producer for Bergwall Productions for many years from the 1970s into the late '80s. After his retirement, he moved to Seaford in 1989. He was a licensed pilot, owned several planes, was an Experimental Aircraft Association member, and regularly flew here and in the Northeast. Mr. Rizzo, a Long Island Sports Car Association member, actively competed in rallies, races and captained the Jaguar Cars North America factory team in the International 1956 Great American Mountain Rally, as well as being a team member on the Volvo Manufacturer's Team in the 1961 American International Rally. In his spare time, he enjoyed photography, rally racing, international travel and aviation.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Rizzo was preceded in death by his loving wife, Gina Rizzo; and his sister, Rose D'Aleo. He is survived by his son, Jon Rizzo of Casa Grande, Ariz.; his nephews: Joseph D'Aleo, Ernestine Kujan, Johanna D'Aleo; William Adamthwaite, Leah Gower and Frank Adamthwaite; his sister, Ann Dettwyler and her husband William of Honey Brook, Pa.; and his dear friend, Athena Hnarakis of Seaford.
Funeral Services for Mr. Rizzo will be held Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m., at Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Hardesty Chapel, 202 Laws St., Bridgeville, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Interment with military honors will immediately follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Seaford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Rizzo's name to the Seaford Volunteer Fire Company, 302 E King St., Seaford, DE 19973.
Please visit Mr. Rizzo's Life Memorial Webpage and sign his online guestbook at www.parsellfuneralhomes.com.
