Sarafino "Tony" Rizzo was born Feb. 7, 1915 at Pleasant Valley. Tony passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 18. Tony married Kathryn M. Chappell on Nov. 6, 1938 in Broken Arrow. In 1939, they moved to Wagoner and resided at the same address for 72 years. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, of the home in Wagoner; one son, Donald Ray Rizzo, who married to Phylis (Spriggs) on Sept. 28, 1957. Born to this marriage were two children, Rob Rizzo and Rhonda (Rizzo) Webb. Rob is married to Dana (Carty) and they have three children, Sarah Roark and husband David, Tristen and Alex. Rhonda is married to Jim Webb II and they have two children, Jim III and Scout. He also is survived by one sister, Joanna (Rizzo) Rosano of Rescue, Calif. and one brother, Frankie, of Oklahoma City. Tony graduated from Schulter High School in 1934 and shortly after that entered the CCC. He left the CCC in Broken Arrow to become an apprentice to learn body and fender work. In 1939, he went to work for the Jeffer's Ford Garage in Wagoner and was there until he began his own shop, Tony's Garage on East Cherokee Street which was in a garage behind the house they lived in. He operated this shop for over 30 years until he retired. Tony served many years on the Wagoner City Council and was known for his expertise in catching fish and hunting. He enjoyed cooking and cooked fried fish meals for many organizations and family gatherings until his health forced him to stop. He was preceded in death by his son, Roland J. Rizzo; his parents, Salvatore Francisco "Frank" and Domianna "Annie" Olandese Rizzo; six sisters, Fillippa "Phillip", Rosaria "Rosi", Patrina, Christina, Mary and Sandina "Sandy" and one great granddaughter, Rachel Renee Rizzo. Funeral services are at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 21 in the First Baptist Church with the Reverend Phillip Dark officiating and Rob Rizzo, Rhonda Rizzo Webb and Jim Odom giving the eulogy. Interment is in Elmwood Cemetery under the direction of Hersman-Nichols Funeral Home.
(Wagoner Tribune, Sept. 20, 2011)