Rio Joseph Lazzari – Belle Vernon

Rio Joseph Lazzari, 96, of Belle Vernon, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022, in Grandview Estates of Elizabeth. A son of the late Alfred and Clara Tintori Lazzari, he was born on Nov. 2, 1925, in Belle Vernon. Rio was a graduate of Belle Vernon High School, Class of 1943, and California University of Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial arts and a master’s degree in English. Rio was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Pacific during World War II. He also played the trombone in a naval dance band while stationed in Hawaii. Rio was a member of the former Pricedale Union Church. He was retired from the Belle Vernon Area School District with 35 years of service as a middle school industrial arts and English teacher. Rio enjoyed drawing and painting, golfing with friends and playing music on his trombone. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Jean Coates Lazzari. He was the proud father of two sons, Tom (Bebe) Lazzari of Rostraver Township and Darren Lazzari of Belle Vernon; and a loving grandfather of one granddaughter, Taylor Lazzari. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jordan and Eugene and two sisters, Norma Parente and Janet Skekel. Visitation and services will be private.  Arrangements have been entrusted to FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY INC., 700 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, www.FergusonFuneralHomeandCrematory.com, 724-929-5300. Interment will be in Belle Vernon Cemetery.