On the morning of July 23, 2019, our Lord called Rev. Alfred R. Pizzuto home, after a brief illness at Calvary Hospital in Bronx, NY. He was 89 years old.
Fr. Al was born on August 14, 1929, to his loving parents Bessie and Angelo Pizzuto. He was born and raised in the Morris Park neighborhood of the Bronx, and in his early teens, entered Cathedral High School where he began his path to the priesthood.
He received his degree in Theology from St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY, and entered the priesthood, receiving the Sacrament of Holy Orders at his Ordination on May 28,1955.
His life’s work began as a parish priest at the Church of St. Anthony’s in Silver Lake. He served as Parochial Vicar at Holy Rosary in Staten Island, St. Vito’s in Mamaroneck, St. Joseph’s in Kingston and St. Ann’s in Ossining. He also served as Administrator and Pastor at St. Mary’s in Marlboro, and served for 12 years as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Saugerties, NY. After more than 48 years, he retired in 2004, after serving as Parochial Vicar at Sacred Heart in Newburgh.
Upon moving to the Cardinal O’Connor Residence, he continued his ministry within his community, and continued to benefit others through administering the Sacraments of the Church.
With a true joy for life, Fr. Al delighted in his Italian heritage, and he loved to travel. He had deep affection for all dogs, and gave many a happy home throughout his lifetime. He was an avid golfer, a voracious reader, and could equally enjoy a gourmet meal at a local restaurant, or a hot dog at the ballpark.
Upon his retirement, Fr. Al summed it up nicely when he said, “I am happy to say that it has been a long and happy ministry for which I thank God and His people.” His true life passion was always to serve God and His people, inspiring their spirituality, comforting them in their times of need, and growing strong, faithful communities. Even with his passing, Fr. Al continues to nourish the spiritual lives of all those he served in his ministries.
Fr. Al was preceded in death by his father, Angelo Pizzuto, and his mother, Bessie (nee Panichello) Pizzuto. He is survived by his brother Arthur J. Pizzuto, his sister-in-law Juliet Gloria Pizzuto, his nephew Art Pizzuto and his wife Sandra Diana Pizzuto from Cortlandt Manor, NY; his niece Karen Pizzuto-Sharp and her husband Owen Sharp from Seattle, WA, and his grand niece Laura Pizzuto. from Anderson, SC.
Visiting will be Thursday from 4-9pm at Joseph A. Lucchese Funeral Home, 726 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx. Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday 11am at St. Clare’s Church, 1027 Rhinelander Avenue, Bronx. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 West Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Fr. Al’s name to St. Joseph Seminary, 201 Seminary Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704.
