Lennie Rizzo

Published 1:17 pm Tuesday, January 21, 2025

COLUMBUS – Leonard “Lennie” Anthony Rizzo, 83, of Columbus, passed away Thursday evening, January 16, 2025, at Spartanburg Medical Center.

Born in Manhattan, New York, he was the son of the late Frank Rizzo and Paula Nicoletti Rizzo. Lennie was a veteran of the United States Navy. Following his service to his country, Lennie went to work in many fields, including a hand and leg model in New York, and worked at Six Flags and Temple Steel. Later, he and his wife, Elaine, opened A1 Pet Watchers. 

After moving to Polk County, Lennie wrote “Special Cases” for the Tryon Daily Bulletin and worked with the Foothills Humane Society. Lennie was an avid pet lover and devoted his time to caring for injured and homeless pets. His local organization was Lennie’s Kids, which is now closed. In addition to his pets, Lennie was an accomplished poet.

Lennie was awarded the Duke Energy Citizen and Service Award and the Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellowship. He was also inducted into the Second Wind Hall of Fame. He was a member of Kiwanis, Rotary, American Legion in Tryon, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and a devoted member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Tryon.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Paula Rizzo, and one brother, Graziano Rizzo.

Surviving is his wife of 31 years, Elaine Coppi Rizzo; two sons, Leonard Rizzo (Sibila) of Miramar, Florida and David Rizzo of New York; two stepdaughters, Kimberly Walker of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Michelle Olmos (Jose) of Colorado Springs, Colorado; one brother, Jack Rizzo of Florida; two granddaughters, Sabrina Rizzo and Sophia Rizzo.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, January 23, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., with Rosary starting at 7:00 p.m. in the McFarland Funeral Chapel.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday morning, January 27, 2025, at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church in Tryon, with Father Jason Christian officiating.

Memorials may be made to P3 in Landrum or Paws, Prayers, and Promises (Dana Mayer)

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com

McFarland Funeral Chapel

Tryon