Obituary of Vincent Rizzo

Vincent Rizzo, 81, of Manalapan passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 with his loving wife by his side. Vincent was born in Brooklyn, NY and had lived in Howard Beach, NY with his wife and three sons, until 1985 when he settled in Manalapan.   He had his own Wonder Bread route in Brooklyn, NY prior to starting his own landscaping business in 1988 called Vinny's Landscaping fulfilling his passion for designing beautiful landscapes throughout NJ. 

An amazing saxophone player, he played in the band “The Dodgers Symphony Band” for the Brooklyn Dodgers when he was a kid.  He met players such as Jackie Robinson and Duke Snider while hanging out with them in the dugout and loved telling these stories to his sons.  Along with his passion for playing saxophone, he was a music lover whose favorite musicians were Louis Prima and Sam Butera. 

Vincent loved working on his antique train set that he got when he was a little boy and he would rave to his sons about how amazing the set was.  

His wife Grace was his everything and soulmate, he proposed to her on April Fool’s Day and she thought he was kidding at first!  Well, it was no joke, as they were happily married for 56 years, raising three amazing sons.

His favorite meal was a bowl of macaroni which was made best by his wife, Grace.

Their greatest joy later in life was spending quality time with their seven beautiful grandkids.

The life of the party, he was never short on jokes and loved playing slots in Atlantic City.

His favorite family vacation was a yearly trip to Lancaster, PA with his wife, sons, and grandkids. They stayed at the same resort, which his oldest son, Vincent, introduced him to over 25 years ago.  Vincent and Grace’s favorite vacation together was a Royal Caribbean Cruise.

He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Rose Rizzo; and sister, Rosemary. Vincent is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Grace Rizzo; sons, Vincent Rizzo Jr., and his wife, Maria, Robert Rizzo, and Joseph Rizzo and his wife, Alaina; grandchildren, Nicholas, Nina, Joey, Leo, Christian, Bryce, and Matthew; sister, Geraldine Palmeri; brother, Frank Rizzo; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, April 28, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend his 11:00 AM Funeral Mass on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church, 100 North Main Street, Marlboro.  Interment will follow in St. Gabriel’s Cemetery & Chapel Mausoleum, 549 Route 520, Marlboro.  For those who desire, memorial contributions in Vincent’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.  For information, directions or to leave condolence messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com