R. Rick Penzotti, 90, of Youngstown, NY, passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Rossiter, PA he was the son of the late Mariano and Josephine (Milicia) Pinizzotto.

Rick came to the Niagara Falls area as a child with his family and attended local schools. He graduated from Niagara Falls High School and later received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business from Niagara University in 1951. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army as a Private First Class from July 30, 1943 until his honorable discharge on January 23, 1946. From August 1943 until October 1945 he was stationed in England, Wales, France and Belgium. Rick was one of the many soldiers who stormed Utah Beach on D-Day in 1944 and was part of the infantry reinforcement troops at the Battle of the Bulge. In 2000, he received the Jubilee of Liberty medal for his D-Day efforts in Operation Overlord. Rick was employed at Niagara Sample Book Co. in Niagara Falls, NY as a Production Manager for forty five years until his retirement in 1990.

Rick was a member of the Catholic Male Choir during the 1950's and 1960's, the Knights of Columbus Council 247 in Niagara Falls and a forty-five year member of the Niagara Frontier Country Club. In his leisure time he enjoyed photography, golf, hunting and fishing. Among Rick's greatest achievements in golf, was making a hole-in-one and caddying for the great Ben Hogan in an exhibition match at the Niagara Falls Country Club in the late thirties. He was also an avid sports fan of the New York Yankees, the Buffalo Bills and Niagara University basketball. But above all, Rick's greatest joy was the time he spent with his family.

Rick is survived by his wife of sixty four years, Pearl (Sannicola) Penzotti who he married on September 4, 1950 at St. Joseph R.C. Church in Niagara Falls, NY. He is also survived by five daughters Karen Jo (late Michael) McCadden of East Amherst, NY; Joanne (Joseph) Krolewski of Youngstown, NY; Geraldine (Paul) Smith of Wheatfield, NY; Marybeth (late David) Boehm of Saratoga Springs, NY and Lisa (Glenn) Balschunat of Glens Falls, NY; six grandchildren Dr. Richard (Marissa) Krolewski, Daniel (Annie) Krolewski, Josiah Smith, Paul Anthony Smith, Kristen Balschundt and Eric Balschundt; one great granddaughter Wendy Claire Krolewski and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews. He was also predeceased by five brothers Nunzio (late Josephine), Peter (late Mary), Anthony (late Elizabeth) (late Genevieve), Albert (Joan of Lewiston), John (late Gloria) (late Kathy) and four sisters Natalie 'Chris' (late Dominic) Mento, Kathryn, Carolyn and Janice.

There will be no prior visitation. Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday August 21st at 12:30 p.m. in Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph at St. Joseph Church, 1413 Pine Avenue, Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Duane R. Klizek officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Private entombment with Military Honors will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 or to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center Foundation, 621 Tenth Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14301. Arrangements by
M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304.