Eulogy for Sir Knight Joseph P. Rizzo Sr.

9/5/1925-3/25/2008

We are gathered here today to pay tribute to Joseph P.

Rizzo Sr. Husband, Father and Friend to many. My

Father's world revolved around three very important

areas: Family- Friends and Faith.

1st Family

A loving husband to Madeline and together they

raised (6) children. Growing up with my father wasn't

always easy. He had high expectations of us and

challenged us but he was there to support and encourage

us. He was always there for his family. Those who knew

my dad well, knew he had numerous health issues from an

early age. That was a sign and a gift to us. To begin

treasuring our special moments with him, for we feared

we would lose him early. Surprisingly, my Mom passed away

suddenly. My dads spirit was very low for many years

until he met and married Irene. Then the smiling,

playful energetic dad we knew, came back to life with

his new wife. Add (11) grandchildren and he truly was in

his element. He was a product of a large family and he

was very proud of his own large family. To him, Family

was everything. He thought that - He lived that.

2nd Friends

Dad made friends everywhere he went. He didn't

have to try and make friends, it was as if people knew he

would be a good friend an he was- because his friends

were really his "extended family". Imagine the number

of people he met and befriended as a volunteer fireman,

Veteran of Foreign War, Knights of Columbus, numerous

choirs and minstrels (oh how he loved to sing) plus 30+

years at Scott Paper. All that and he still found time

to get involved with Politics. To make things better.

Serving as a Committeeman and Commissioner in this

township was very rewarding to him and he cherished those

years of service.

Last but not least- His Faith

This was a very religious man and much of what he

was and how he acted came from his deep religious

beliefs. He was pretty old fashioned in his thinking but

took advantage of the newer Church policies and became

an Eucharistic Minister- Again serving others. his faith

sustained him thru the passing of Madeline, his many

illnesses and the passing of all his siblings- he is the

last of his family to pass. So now as his condition

worsened, he knew his time was drawing close. We could

see his inner struggle- trying to deal with that

reality. His very precocious granddaughter, Madeline, saw

the struggle too. So as he looked at her, at the foot

of the bed-she said, "Pop, Don't be afraid. When Jesus

calls you, you gotta go." How true that is and Madeline

helped Pop see that. But as we all are mortals, we have

that trepidation around, that final transition. Dad had

it but I saw some other hesitation too. He would hold on

till he could say goodbye-in his way- a smile, a nod or

a grasp of your hand, to every family member, special

friend or his caregivers, that showered him with loving

care.

Once he completed that task (and if you knew my

dad he was very task driven) he passed into the Light,

to reunite with so many family loved ones and friends.

And Jesus welcomed him with Open Arms!

So this may be a sad moment, for we all wanted

Dad to by our sides for as long as possible but rejoice

and celebrate too, for his love for us is timeless and

he watches over us from above.

Thank you for coming and God Bless

This Eulogy is dedicated to my loving sisters and

brothers who made my Dad's last years, one of Hope and

Love.

Love Always,

Joseph P. Rizzo Jr.

thoughts of you every day
help me find the perfect way
to get through it all
even if i have to crawl
to the right side of Life.

in every moment there is hope
like holdingon to the longest rope
pulling you up from way down below
and making days go with a normal flow
to the right side of hope.

smiles and laughs are certainly the best
hearing you again has been better then the rest
making me smile like i never have before
holding myself proud when walking through the door
to the right side of happiness.

brighter days to come more and more
even if it means your faith has to be restored
i believe in you and i always will
my love for you i will always instill
to the right side of You.

i will love you till the end of time
from now until then you will always be mine
no matter what you say
i am here to stay
To the right side of Love.

heart racing, pulse beating

wondering what your thinking

tears flowing, nerves shaking

wondering what your feeling

feeling empty, what steps to take

holding back words, almost feeling fake

inside out, upside down

wondering if im going to drown

everything around seems so bleak

comfort and understanding i guess is what i seek

would it be easier not to see my face

would it be easier if i was in a different place

do you know how i am feeling

or do you only know what your seeing

if you look at me and see nothing

there isnt much i can do

the only thing left for me to say

is that i truly love you

please get the help you need

if you want me to stay by your side

do it know before its too late or i will run & hide

make the effort for us before this turns out bad

because i know deep inside that if this ends you will be quite sad.

i havent lost the feelings

i still get them every nite

i have not yet seen myself without you

becuse i havent given up the fight

so many thoughts & feelings. I can't keep doing this. you have to help yourself. I tried and I tried to do everything I could now I'm at the end of my rope. I can't give up it'snot in me but if you don't make a valued effort you will be exactly where you don't want to be. on the streets, alone, a junkie. If I could change everything for the better I would. I would do it just so you wouldnt hurt anymore. so you wouldnt self medicate the hurt. I beg you to do something before it's to late. Do you know how many days I sit and think about what I would say at your funeral? What I would say to your family who has been thru this more then me. I cry inside for your pain, i cry on the outside for your hurt. I cry. I cry. I cry. I don't even know how I keep having tears for I have cried so much. I pray that you get the help you need after searching for so long. I know you feel as if you don't belong, but you do, you belong in my life for the long haul. Not for the  short time you think you have. My emotions are running wild. my thoughts not even making sense. I can't imagine how you feel but I know how I feel. I know that even if this hurts you more then me it still hurts me. It still makes me feel helpless, that there's nothing I can do. I've tried to be your backbone & to help you get through these hard times but I know that I cant keep doing it if you dont help yourself. I love you now and always but its getting harder each day. I don't want to lose you. not to drugs, not to bipolar, not to suicide. please stay with me and let me walk you through this and hold your hand and let you know youre not alone.

I love you

stand outside with your head up high and let the sun beat off your face, look up at the clouds and how they move, and I start to wonder, if I see someone in that space. don't cry for me, for I will be ok, but smile for me and listen to what i say.let the words of others grab you, let the friendship embrace your soul, let the love inside you shine as if it made you whole. smile into the sun & feel the warm embrace, look up to the heavens and you feel his hand slightly on your face. he gives you the warm calm feeling, that everything will work out fine, if you don't think so now, it all will in due time. he picks you up when you think you've fallen or your having a bad day, he brushes you off all the time without needing words to say. you care so much about us and for this i'd like to know how , i'd also like to know where you are lord because i need you now. 

where are you 

 something i wrote a while back when going thru a very rough patch 

head spinning,  hurt, lost

help me, help you, help us

cloudy, blurry, upset

can't eat, can't sleep, can't  breathe

numb, nauseous, pain

where to go , what to do, how to help

if i had to walk a hundred miles,

i'd do everything i could to try to make you smile

when you feel hopeless & weak

all i want you to do is open your mouth and speak

talk to me & try to get through this pain

the pain that has caused you to go insane

i am here for you through thick & thin

so when times get tough pick up the phone & let me here you sing

things will get better i try to convince you

you have a second chance to start life anew

id take away the pain if i could

when you look into my eyes you already know i would

i want to be forever in your arms

simply because i love you for all you are, you have that special charm

i have you in my life now, i dont want you to go away

let me love you & help you always, promise me you'll stay

can't do this without you

looking out the window
with  teardrops down my face
wondering if there's any hope
in this very lonely place

you are loving & very caring
and so much more inside
all the feelings you seems to get
makes you wanna run & hide

i know it's not fair
to you or anyone else
but loving you has taught me
to care for you as much as myself

i love you more
then i ever thought i would
i love you more
then i ever thought i could

with all my heart and soul
i wish i could make it better
let you see outside this world
and to show you that i am your shelter

crawl into my arms
and to hold on to me tight
it's ok to love yourself
and to love with all your mite

one day the sun will come
and i pray that it comes soon
because i need you in my life
those words i say are true

i will love you forever
and that you know is true
i will love you forever
because i love you for you