Mrs. Christine M. "Tina" (Belmont) Rizzo

ILION - Mrs. Christine M. “Tina” (Belmont) Rizzo, age 71, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 21, 2021 with those who loved her most by her side. Born in Utica on February 24, 1949, Christine was the daughter of the late Frank N. “Sheik” and Laura (Falzarine) Belmont. She lost her mom when she was a young woman and missed her love each day. Raised in East Utica, she was a graduate of T.R. Proctor High School/Class of 1967. On May 15, 1971 she married Joseph A. Rizzo, Jr. and to that union came the blessing of two children and a family-oriented life. Although their relationship came to closure, they remained friends and she wanted her children to know the love of their dad. During her earlier years, Tina worked at Chicago Pneumatic, and the General Electric Company; these positions required her rigorous work ethic. She then retired from the former Kelsey Hayes in Whitesboro. Tina was a traditional Italian mom who cooked Sunday sauce with two-pound meatballs and always had a chocolate cake in the oven. It was a way to show her love by feeding her family with a feast. Her generosity and selflessness touched many hearts, and it was not her style to speak of others in a negative way. She was always encouraging and uplifting of spirit. Family was her priority, and her children came to realize that the hand that fed them was the same hand that disciplined them,.... what a measure of wisdom for them. Tina was also blessed by the neighborhood kids who called her “Mama Rizzo”. She was like the Pied Piper of Boyce Ave. Her home and heart were always open to the needs of any child. She had a warm sense of humor that was full of laughter and so memorable. Tina lived a complete, content life. It was simple, filled with love, and taken with a grain of salt. The very tradition she lived she humbly passed onto her children. Two items on her “wish list” came true: She went to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and she saw Billy Joel in concert in Syracuse. And, true to growing up Italian in East Utica, a great day would be a large #7 from O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria on Bleecker St., followed by a chocolate Pusty from the cafe. She paused her routine every day at one o’clock to watch Days of Our Lives and her favorite character Victor Kiriakis, and she had a crush on Michael Langdon. Tina had a photo album containing “hard copies” for each grandchild and great-grandchild, and memories to be cherished. Tina raised two children who respected, honored, and cared for her because she was an outstanding matriarch and mother to them. She knew the blessing of having loving grandchildren, giving them 10 or more kisses on their cheeks and being involved and concerned in their lives. And, the great-grandchildren could do no wrong, and no rules, just love, for them. Tina leaves a legacy of love and kindness, of paying it forward, traits that can be seen in the generations that followed. She was faithful to her Lord, and in earlier years, Mass at her home parish of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel evoked her spirituality, and enriched her benevolence, to the end of her days. Tina is survived by her children and their loves, Joseph A. “Joe” Rizzo III and Liz Hanrahan, and Laura A. Rizzo-Mills and her husband Mark; her grandchildren, Kendull and Alex Redner, Navio, Cadence, Valentino, and Rosalina Rizzo; Maranda and Dakota Kinney, and Frankie Sierak; great-grandchildren, Nevaeh and the memory of her great-grandson Antonio Rizzo who passed in infancy in 2013; Ayden, Addalynn, Aryanna Kinney, as well as the anticipated birth of another great-grandchild. Tina held close to her heart the memory of her brother Francis “Frank” Belmont who passed away in October of 1995. The family is grateful to the nurses and staff at MVHS at St. Elizabeth Medical Center who were so compassionate and understanding and went above and beyond in tending to Tina; and Dr. Naji El Khoury, and Kerry Ruia/NP for their wonderful medical guidance and friendship. The family is also grateful for Tonya Van Dresar and the residents of John Guy Prindle Apartments who often kept Tina company. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Tina’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Monday morning, March 1, 2021 at 11:00 at St Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, 648 Jay St., Utica where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. Face masks that cover both your nose and mouth are required and social distancing and contact tracing will be implemented. In remembrance of Tina’s graciousness, please pay it forward and extend an act of kindness for someone in need. “You will gain another angel’s wing”. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with Tina’s family through the “Memories” section of her obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support.

Mrs. Christine M. "Tina" (Belmont) Rizzo

February 24, 1949 - February 21, 2021