Richard David Pascuzzi, 72, of Warren, Pa., passed away on Saturday afternoon, December 8, 2012. He was born December 2, 1940 in Warren, Pa. to the late Santo F. and Clara F. Chiodo Pascuzzi.
Rich was a lifelong Warren area resident and a graduate of Warren High School, Class of 1959. He attended Cleveland Engineering Institute. Rich retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after 25 years employment as a caseworker with the Department of Public Welfare. He was an active deputy fish warden with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission for 17 years. He gave thousands of hours of his time to help enforce these laws.
He was a member of Holy Redeemer R.C. Church. While his sons were young, he was a Cub Scout master and loved to help his boys build pine wood derbies. He once melted the new kitchen carpet with hot lead getting the car to the correct weight.
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RICHARD PASCUZZI
He was President of Warren Little League for over seven years. While President, he arranged indoor clinics in the winter months, had four new TBall fields built, a new senior league field and rebuilt many of the old fields. He also worked hard to get an electric scoreboard and lights installed on Betts Jackson Field for night games. He was instrumental in hosting the Little League District 10 Championship Tournament and coached the boys to a first ever District 10 Senior Boys Championship Title for Warren. He started the TBall League and with the help of his daughter and her friends, started the first Girl's Softball League. For twentytwo years, Rich has coached many teams while his four sons and daughter played. During his time of presidency, the Little League grew from 250 players to over 650 children.
He served on the Board of Directors for BMX Racing for many years. He helped build and maintain the Warren BMX track, which brought many racing families to Warren. He also took kids to other tracks in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio to race.
Rich was an active member of the Warren Jaycees and served on the board of directors for twelve years. As a member, he held the first Miss Warren County Pageant at Beaty Junior High School. Being affiliated with the Miss Pennsylvania pageant, Rich was able to arrange for Miss Pennsylvania and Miss America to attend our local pageant in Warren. Rich escorted Miss Warren County to the Miss Pennsylvania pageant to compete for the title.
Rich organized the first Fireman's Water Battle, Junior Olympics, Warren's Water Ski Program on the Allegheny River, and the Punt, Pass and Kick Football contest. He was presented with the Joseph Defrees Community Service award in honor of his commitment, dedication, service and contribution to these and many other nonsports related achievements in the community of Warren.
In 2000, he was inducted into the Warren County Sports Hall of Fame for his dedication in developing, fostering and improving sports of many kinds and recreational events for youth and adults.
Rich was elected as a member of the Warren County School District, Board of Directors for a fouryear term and also held the position of Vice President.
Over his lifetime, his dedication and involvement has made a significant contribution to Warren County. He will be missed everyday by his wife, children and grandchildren. He will be remembered forever for the way he loved and prayed for his family, and shared his wisdom. Throughout his life, he was an amazing father who always wanted the best for his children and grandchildren, loved the holidays, and restored antique cars (most recently a 1964 Chevy Impala SS Convertible.) He enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren and just spending time with his family.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia Ann Catalano Pascuzzi, who he married June 18, 1966, 5 Children Richard S. Pascuzzi and wife, Diana, Scott Pascuzzi and wife, Tracey, Lynette Swab and husband, Daniel, Jeff Pascuzzi and wife, Amber, and Matthew Pascuzzi. Two Brothers Santo (Sam) Pascuzzi, Joseph Pascuzzi and wife, Margaret, 6 Grandchildren Alexandra Pascuzzi, Connor Swab, Carter Pascuzzi, Shawn Pascuzzi, Cole Swab and Alexis Pascuzzi who he dearly loved and told them often. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Friends may call at the Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., 304 East Street, Warren, Pa. on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at Holy Redeemer R.C. Church, 11 Russell Street, Warren, Pa., on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. by Fr. James Gutting, Pastor, officiating, assisted by Deacon Joseph Lucia. Entombment will be in the Mausoleum of the Resurrection in St. Joseph R.C. Cemetery.
Those wishing to submit email condolences may do so by visiting www.lewisfuneralhomeinc.com. Memorial contributions may be made through the Warren Unit of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life Teams or Holy Redeemer Church Building Center Fund or the American Heart Association.
