Vincent Pizzo

New Brighton native and longtime Westerleigh resident Vincent Benedict Pizzo, 88, a World War II veteran and retired Staten Island ferry captain who was always willing to help others, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Ocean Breeze.

Mr. Pizzo attended McKee High School and had lived in Westerleigh for 60 years.

He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees in the Asiatic Pacific during World War II and participated in the Invasion of Okinawa.

Mr. Pizzo was a captain of the Staten Island Ferry from 1951 to 1983. Later, he worked for the U.S. Coast Guard as the Governor's Island Ferry captain for five years, retiring in 1988.

Mr. Pizzo had been a snowbird for 27 years, maintaining a second home in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

He was a member of the Staten Island Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Elks Club of Port. St. Lucie.

He could fix almost anything and often fixed things for family and friends. He particularly enjoyed automotive repair and home renovation. Mr. Pizzo also enjoyed watching baseball, and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was a big personality,' said his son, Vincent. He was a storyteller with a great sense of humor and he could light up a room just by being there. He had a heart of gold and would do anything for anybody.'

Mr. Pizzo was a parishioner of Holy Family R.C. Church, Westerleigh.

Surviving are his wife of 66 years, Frances; his sons, Vincent G. and Steven; his brothers, Alfred and Dr. Edward Pizzo; his sisters, Lucy Barracato and Mamie Natale; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be Monday from the Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home, Tottenville, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in Holy Family Church. Burial will be in St. Peter's Cemetery, West Brighton.

Services: 11:00 Mass of Christian Burial on Monday October 26 2015 at Holy Family R.C. Burial to follow at ST. Preters Cemetery.

Visitation: 2-4 & 7-9 PM on Sunday October 25, 2015

Cemetery: St. Peter's Cemetery

Location: Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home

Church: Holy Family RC Church