Michael Francis Luzzi

Michael Francis Luzzi

February 13, 1943 - July 16, 2024

Michael was born to Marion ( Petrucci ) and Frank S. Luzzi at St. Clare’s Hospital in Manhattan and spent most of his happy youth in Montvale,  New Jersey. He earned degrees from Bergen Catholic High School, Seton Hall University and Fordham University with post graduate work at Cornell University.

An educator at heart, Michael began a career in New York State public education in 1964 and never wanted to leave. After teaching middle school science, he helmed elementary schools, held various central office positions in several school districts and conducted superintendent’s hearings. When asked to name his favorite job, he always answered “elementary school principal.” He loved kids.

His friends will tell you that Michael’s other passions were his family, his dogs, especially Provost, and his basement workshop. Mike enjoyed watching sports of all kinds. He enthusiastically attended Cornell ice hockey games and was a long suffering New York Giants fan. Having broadcast basketball games on the radio at Seton Hall, he also developed an appreciation for college basketball. Naturally, his favorite spectator sport was watching his grandchildren participate in anything. Playing golf was a huge part of Michael’s life. Despite the frustration, he enjoyed immensely the camaraderie and the coffee milkshakes that followed a round. Sailing on Cayuga Lake was his happy place. Being at the Ithaca Yacht Club afforded relaxation, wonderful friends and the greatest joy.

Colleagues and friends remember Michael for his honesty, integrity, humility, guilelessness, loyalty, sense of fairplay, deep concern for humans, animals and the planet, and most important, his great sense of humor. Hopefully God did not break the mold because we need more people like Mike Luzzi in the world.

Michael lived in Ithaca for 38 years and is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jeanne, daughter Christina and her husband Ryan Wilkes, granddaughter Arden and grandson Michael. They thank the scores of medical personnel who cared for Michael during the last two years of his life. To their friends and relatives who have supported them in countless ways, the Luzzi family is eternally grateful.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, August 3rd at 10 AM at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 309 Siena Drive, Ithaca, with a reception and party to follow in the parish center. All are welcome. The service will be live-streamed with a link on St. Catherine’s website  https://stcathofsiena.org  and will be available for several weeks. https://boxcast.tv/channel/izrxkpfemabzytva9yuk

Two of Michael’s favorite Ithaca charities are The Family Reading Partnership https://www.familyreading.org and The SPCA of Tompkins County, a no-kill shelter  http://www.spcaonline.com. He also supported Tioga Rural Ministry https://tcrm.org  and the Portal de Belen Foundation http://www.portaldebelenfoundation.org