1959
James
2018
James Rizzo
January 1, 1959 — December 30, 2018
James H. "Jim" Rizzo, age 59, of Downingtown, PA, formerly of Collingdale, PA, passed away on December 30, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. He was born on January 1, 1959 in Darby, PA to the late James H. and Catherine C. (nee Hylan) Rizzo. Jim was the first baby born in Delaware County in 1959, which by a little known law, allowed him to celebrate his birthday for the entire month of January, every year.
In July of 2018, Jim was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. After his diagnosis, he was no longer able to care for his two beloved cats, and they were taken into a loving home by his Goddaughter Casey and her husband Dave. As for himself, although entertaining nothing but positive thoughts, Jim was also a realist who cared about his family above all else. And after his diagnosis, he accepted his brother John and sister-in-law Maureen's loving offer to reside in the beautiful in-law apartment attached to their home in Newtown Square which made him easily accessible to loved ones. Their love, combined with Maureen's nursing experience, gave him the best possible environment during his treatment. He was visited by many while staying there, and in his last days he was never without several people by his side, day or night, as his wife, siblings, nieces, and nephews stayed up for days at a time to be with him. His nieces and nephews readily volunteered for middle-of-the-night shifts. They read to him from the history books he so loved and they filled his room with the same energy and love he had poured into them over the years.
Jim was a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA. He received his Associates Degree from Delaware County Community College in Media, PA. He worked as an office manager at Harry Tillman Automotive, and formerly as a Director of Operations at Burger King Corporation. Jim took great pride in his work, no matter where he was working or what he was doing. The cancer diagnosis did not cause him to give up on his life or his work. He enjoyed the normalcy work provided and loved the feeling of putting in an honest day's work. Jim worked every day until he was no longer physically able to. He gave far more than he got and devoted over 30 years and countless hours, which often included weekends and holidays, to his position as Director of Operations with Burger King. He could be found in Westtown, Paoli, Brookhaven, and other Burger Kings in the area often all in the same day. Countless local teens were lucky to have Jim as their first boss at their first job. He set the highest standard for loyalty to an employer and fairness toward his co-workers and many employees over the years. He was the lifeblood of the organization and some would say the stabilizing influence crucial to its survival at the time.
For most of his life Jim had no children of his own so he was able to focus all his love and energy into his nieces and nephews. He would do anything for any of them, and you can ask any one of them how Uncle Jim was able personally help them and walk away with so many stories you won't believe that he was just one man. Although not having children was possibly a regret for Jim, all of his nieces and nephews got the benefit of having a second (and in some cases their only) father figure, and as far as they were concerned Jim had many children. On December 26th, 2018 Jim and Kathy Salerno were married in a beautiful and meaningful service at home surrounded by close friends and family, in which Jim became step-father to Nicole Salerno.
Jim loved spending time with his family and friends, he was the glue that held everyone together. He was a confidant to all, as well as a mentor. He had a great sense of humor, was a prankster, and left all with many rich stories and memories.
Jim was a master at trivia, and is the sole reason why people don't play Trivial Pursuit any longer. He was especially knowledgeable about history, particularly American and military history. His bookshelves were full of history books. He loved Star Trek and science fiction shows, as well as comedies. He would often repeat quotes from his favorite comedy shows.
Jim loved playing board games and card games, especially with his family, whom he would often be playing Consecutive Rummy or Dominoes with. You could say he had a competitive spirit, and while he did love winning, he loved letting you know that he won even more. "Second place was just first loser," which he never was unless you were cheating.
He was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. Although to say that Jim was an Eagles fan is really an understatement, as he refused to leave this world until he knew that the Eagles made the play-offs again. We would like to personally thank Nick Foles for making sure that last game was not stressful.
He was the best Godfather to his seven godchildren. Jim was a favorite Uncle, a favorite child, a favorite sibling. You only had to know Jim for a short time to know that he was special and a favorite because he would tell you repeatedly.
Jim was a member of Saint Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church in West Chester, PA. He was in bowling leagues in Chester and Berks County.
He was the beloved husband of Kathy Salerno, of Downingtown, PA; loving brother of John (Maureen) Rizzo, of Newtown Square, PA, Theresa (Jerry) DiBello, of West Chester, PA, Catherine Vickery, of Springfield, PA, the late Francis X. Rizzo (Rosemary), of Drexel Hill, PA; dear step-father of Nicole Salerno, of Downingtown, PA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Relatives and Friends are invited to his Visitation Friday Evening 7:00-9:00 PM on January 11, 2018 and Saturday Morning 9:00-10:00 AM on January 12, 2018 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA (610-431-9000), followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at SS. Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct, West Chester, PA 19382. Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Jim's sense of humor will be missed the most at times like this, as he could make you laugh at even while you were overflowing with sorrow. If he was here right now he would tell us not to worry and that everything is okay, because he is still the center of attention.
The Donohue Funeral Home
1627
Pike West Chester 19382, United States
In July of 2018, Jim was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. After his diagnosis, he was no longer able to care for his two beloved cats, and they were taken into a loving home by his Goddaughter Casey and her husband Dave. As for himself, although entertaining nothing but positive thoughts, Jim was also a realist who cared about his family above all else. And after his diagnosis, he accepted his brother John and sister-in-law Maureen's loving offer to reside in the beautiful in-law apartment attached to their home in Newtown Square which made him easily accessible to loved ones. Their love, combined with Maureen's nursing experience, gave him the best possible environment during his treatment. He was visited by many while staying there, and in his last days he was never without several people by his side, day or night, as his wife, siblings, nieces, and nephews stayed up for days at a time to be with him. His nieces and nephews readily volunteered for middle-of-the-night shifts. They read to him from the history books he so loved and they filled his room with the same energy and love he had poured into them over the years.
Jim was a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA. He received his Associates Degree from Delaware County Community College in Media, PA. He worked as an office manager at Harry Tillman Automotive, and formerly as a Director of Operations at Burger King Corporation. Jim took great pride in his work, no matter where he was working or what he was doing. The cancer diagnosis did not cause him to give up on his life or his work. He enjoyed the normalcy work provided and loved the feeling of putting in an honest day's work. Jim worked every day until he was no longer physically able to. He gave far more than he got and devoted over 30 years and countless hours, which often included weekends and holidays, to his position as Director of Operations with Burger King. He could be found in Westtown, Paoli, Brookhaven, and other Burger Kings in the area often all in the same day. Countless local teens were lucky to have Jim as their first boss at their first job. He set the highest standard for loyalty to an employer and fairness toward his co-workers and many employees over the years. He was the lifeblood of the organization and some would say the stabilizing influence crucial to its survival at the time.
For most of his life Jim had no children of his own so he was able to focus all his love and energy into his nieces and nephews. He would do anything for any of them, and you can ask any one of them how Uncle Jim was able personally help them and walk away with so many stories you won't believe that he was just one man. Although not having children was possibly a regret for Jim, all of his nieces and nephews got the benefit of having a second (and in some cases their only) father figure, and as far as they were concerned Jim had many children. On December 26th, 2018 Jim and Kathy Salerno were married in a beautiful and meaningful service at home surrounded by close friends and family, in which Jim became step-father to Nicole Salerno.
Jim loved spending time with his family and friends, he was the glue that held everyone together. He was a confidant to all, as well as a mentor. He had a great sense of humor, was a prankster, and left all with many rich stories and memories.
Jim was a master at trivia, and is the sole reason why people don't play Trivial Pursuit any longer. He was especially knowledgeable about history, particularly American and military history. His bookshelves were full of history books. He loved Star Trek and science fiction shows, as well as comedies. He would often repeat quotes from his favorite comedy shows.
Jim loved playing board games and card games, especially with his family, whom he would often be playing Consecutive Rummy or Dominoes with. You could say he had a competitive spirit, and while he did love winning, he loved letting you know that he won even more. "Second place was just first loser," which he never was unless you were cheating.
He was an avid Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fan. Although to say that Jim was an Eagles fan is really an understatement, as he refused to leave this world until he knew that the Eagles made the play-offs again. We would like to personally thank Nick Foles for making sure that last game was not stressful.
He was the best Godfather to his seven godchildren. Jim was a favorite Uncle, a favorite child, a favorite sibling. You only had to know Jim for a short time to know that he was special and a favorite because he would tell you repeatedly.
Jim was a member of Saint Simon and Jude Roman Catholic Church in West Chester, PA. He was in bowling leagues in Chester and Berks County.
He was the beloved husband of Kathy Salerno, of Downingtown, PA; loving brother of John (Maureen) Rizzo, of Newtown Square, PA, Theresa (Jerry) DiBello, of West Chester, PA, Catherine Vickery, of Springfield, PA, the late Francis X. Rizzo (Rosemary), of Drexel Hill, PA; dear step-father of Nicole Salerno, of Downingtown, PA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Relatives and Friends are invited to his Visitation Friday Evening 7:00-9:00 PM on January 11, 2018 and Saturday Morning 9:00-10:00 AM on January 12, 2018 at The Donohue Funeral Home, 1627 West Chester Pike, West Chester, PA (610-431-9000), followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 AM at SS. Simon and Jude Church, 8 Cavanaugh Ct, West Chester, PA 19382. Interment Private.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104.
Jim's sense of humor will be missed the most at times like this, as he could make you laugh at even while you were overflowing with sorrow. If he was here right now he would tell us not to worry and that everything is okay, because he is still the center of attention.
Visitation
Saturday, January 12, 2019 9:00 AM - 10:00 AMThe Donohue Funeral Home
1627
Pike West Chester 19382, United States
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James Rizzo, please visit our flower store.
Guestbook
Visits: 50
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors