LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION congratulating John Pizzo upon the occasion of
celebrating his 100th Birthday

WHEREAS, Senior citizens bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to
the increasingly active roles they play in today's society; their past
contributions and future participation are a vital part of, and valuable
asset to, the fabric of community life and activity; and
WHEREAS, John Pizzo was born in Tampa, Florida, on December 27, 1910;
and
WHEREAS, John Pizzo's loving parents, Joseph and Emelia Pizzo,
migrated from San Stefano, Sicily, Italy, to the United States in the
early 1900s, passing through Ellis Island and on to Tampa; and
WHEREAS, John Pizzo spent his first two years of life in Tampa before
relocating to Marlboro, New York, where he has resided ever since; and
WHEREAS, Longevity, which can run in families, seems to run in his;
all four of John Pizzo's sisters made it to their 90's: Mary is 98,
Jenny is 96, and Angie is 91; his sister, Lea, passed away at the age of
96; they all grew up together on a 75 acre farm raising strawberries,
raspberries, apples, tomatoes, currants, peaches, pears and grapes; and
WHEREAS, Still harboring a passion for fruit, each spring John Pizzo
assists neighbors in pruning fruit trees and providing grapes to make
grape jelly; and
WHEREAS, John Pizzo is a well-rounded man who has contributed to his
community in a multitude of ways, including cleaning his local cemetery
and serving honorably as Marlboro's Fire Commissioner; he was also a
member of the Fr. Hanley Knights of Columbus and the Holy Name Society;
and
WHEREAS, An amazing man, John Pizzo is still, at the remarkable age of
100, an asset to the community he loves so much; when asked what he is
most proud of in his life, his answer is helping others in the Town of
Marlboro; and
WHEREAS, When his church, Saint Mary's, desired to obtain land next to
its cemetery but didn't have the resources necessary, John Pizzo's
generous fundraising efforts made the parish dream a reality; an active
congregant, he still drives to Saint Mary's every Sunday morning to
perform his duties as an usher at 8 AM Mass; and
WHEREAS, This exceptional centenarian has received other esteemed
recognition from his community; from this day forward, December 27th has
been declared John Pizzo Day in the Town of Marlboro; he was also
presented a special plaque from Ulster County; and
WHEREAS, With his zest for life, John Pizzo has inspired and enhanced
the lives of his family and friends; and
WHEREAS, This distinguished man has experienced the incredible joys
and sorrows characteristic of and reserved for those with the stamina
and courage to savor a full life; and
WHEREAS, This beloved man has enriched the lives of those around him
through his joyous and sincere love for others and through the quiescent
charm and wisdom which comes only from a fullness of years; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body to publicly recog-
nize those who have reached such a remarkable age and who have witnessed
and celebrated the innovations, cultural developments and awesome
achievements of this country during the last century, while themselves
contributing to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
congratulate John Pizzo upon the occasion of celebrating his 100th
Birthday; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to John Pizzo, Marlboro, New York.