David Carmen Rizzo

David Carmen Rizzo, 85, was a well-known and respected attorney, working well into his ‘80s. He lived an extraordinary and successful life. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and being at his camp in the North Country.

Born in Syracuse on April 3, 1939, to Carmen and Edith Eallonardo Rizzo, David was a child piano prodigy who, at age eight, played at Syracuse University. He attended Lyncourt Elementary School and Eastwood High School where he was a standout baseball player. He spent two years in the Army followed by many years in the Reserves. He was a graduate of Syracuse University for both his bachelor’s and law degrees. In 1963, he attended the Syracuse Auto Show where he saw a model and exclaimed, “That is the woman I’m going to marry!” David married Jennifer Billmyer on August 29, 1964.  

David worked at the Pillsbury Company and was a bursar at Cortland College until he realized his life passion was to be a lawyer. This is where he applied his innate intelligence and compassion as an advocate for the underserved of his community for over fifty years. This compassion carried over into his personal life. Those closest to him knew that there was always a seat at the dinner table.

Left to rejoice in David’s life and continue his legacy of service are his wife, Jennifer; son, John and daughter-in-law, Susan; daughter, Deborah and son-in-law, Joseph Cogliandro; foster son, Minh Tran; and grandchildren, David and Allison Rizzo and Alyssa Cogliandro. He is also survived by his brother, Daniel C. and sister-in-law, Gail Rizzo; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Chuck Spector and Johanna and Louis Moore; and scores of nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Blanchfield and Dr. Battaglia for their dedication and care. 

To celebrate David’s life, relatives and friends are invited to gather on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Indian River Lakes Conservancy, 43982 Stine Rd., P.O. Box 27, Redwood, NY 13679, or to a charity of your choice in David’s honor.