Richard J.   Azzarito

Retired American   Airlines Pilot

Richard “Dick” J. Azzarito, 70, of Boca Raton, Fla., loving husband of Irene Azzarito, died at home on December 2. He was born in Danbury on November 1, 1935, son of Frank and Sarah Azzarito.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Mark Azzarito and his wife, Amy, of Newtown, Frances Pizaghelli and her husband, Mario, of Newtown, Richard Azzarito, Jr, and his wife, Erica, of Huntington, and Robin Gaskins of North Carolina; his ten grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by two brothers, Nicholas Azzarito and his wife, Rose, of Danbury, Arthur Azzarito and his wife, Ann, of New Fairfield; his sisters-in-law, Cathy Azzarito of Brookfield and Sally Melnick of Florida; as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Greg, Frank, and Anthony; and his sisters, Josephine, Teresa, Isabel, and Jeanette.

Mr Azzarito attended Danbury schools and was owner-operator of gasoline service stations in Danbury and Bridgeport until embarking on a career of flying airplanes in 1965.

He served as a pilot and check airman for American Airlines for 28 years until his retirement in 1995. He served with the Civil Air Patrol and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Boca Raton. Mr Azzarito became commander of Flotilla 36 in Boca Raton where he performed both boat and air patrols as pilot command for the US Coast Guard operations. His training and professionalism made him a valuable asset to Coast Guard operations while flying his own airplane on patrols up and down the coast of Florida.

Besides flying, he enjoyed teaching ballroom dancing and playing classical guitar.

Friends may call on Thursday, December 8, at the Cornell Memorial Home, 247 White Street, Danbury, between the hours of 4 and 8 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Florida Brain Tumor Association, PO Box 770182, Coral Springs, FL 33077-0182 or Hospice by the Sea, 1531 Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton FL 33486.

The Newtown Bee        December 9, 2005