Hudson Falls- John V. “Speez”Spizzo, Jr. passed away in his sleep on December 25, 2021.
John was born on October 9th,1932 to the late Filomenia (Serraino) and John Spizzo, Sr. in Whitehall, N.Y.
John graduated from Whitehall High School in 1950.
He enlisted in the National Guard at 16, while still in High School.
Upon graduation John went into the U.S. Air Force. He proudly served for four years as a Staff Sergeant at Sampson Air Force Base in Seneca Lake, NY. John was a basic training drill instructor and was very proud of the many soldiers he trained.
On May 22, 1955 he married Beverly Rivette at Our Lady of Angels Church in Whitehall, NY. They were married 65 years until her death in May 2020.
After serving in the Air Force, John and Beverly settled in Whitehall, NY to raise their family. He worked at a sheet metal facility in Whitehall until eventually going to work for Sandy Hill Iron and Brass in Hudson Falls, NY. In 1965 the family moved to Hudson Falls. John retired from Sandy Hill after 30+ years.
John loved playing sports. He was an avid bowler winning many trophies. He was a softball pitcher in several men’s leagues and was an excellent swimmer and diver. He loved gambling. John could be seen at OTB “playing the ponies”, sports betting, playing poker several times a week with friends and then eventually buying scratch off tickets, hoping to get the “big win”. John’s competitive nature never waned, while at his nursing home residence he got into some heated discussions while playing BINGO!
John’s love of sports led him into youth coaching. He started coaching Little League Teams and eventually coached American Legion Baseball for about 20 years, having several championship teams. He loved his boys of Summer and took great pride in staying in contact with them and celebrating their successes. He was a baseball umpire for local High School teams and was always on the lookout while watching the teams, recruiting for his Legion Baseball team.
After John retired from Sandy Hill Iron and Brass, he went to work for the Hudson Falls Recreation Department. He prepared the Derby Park fields for softball and soccer games. In the winter, he ran the Wall Street Ice Skating pond for several years. He loved watching all the skaters young and old. That is where his two grandsons first skated.
Besides his parents and wife, Beverly; John was predeceased by his brother Vincent Spizzo, sister Madeline Russo; sister -in-laws Loretta Spizzo and Michele Fuller; brother-in-laws Walter Rivette, Jr. and John Long.
John is survived by his daughter Debbie (Michael) LaPan of South Glens Falls; and the pride and joy of his life, his grandsons, Kristopher (Carrie) LaPan of Saratoga and Kameron LaPan of Columbus, Ohio.
He is also survived by his brother, Anthony Spizzo (Jackie Russo) of South Glens Falls and Clearwater, Florida; his brother and sister-in-laws, William (Gloria) Rivette of Berea, Ohio, Elaine Rivette of Lake George, Joan (George) Durett of Queensbury, Joseph (Marty) Sorrentino of Colchester, Vermont, Marina (Richard) Bolster of Malone, Nancy Long of Hadley Luzerne and Charles Fuller of Glens Falls; and also survived by many nieces and nephews and several cousins.
Anyone who met “Speez”, never forgot him. He had a commanding personality that took over a room. He loved being in charge, everyone was supposed to follow his lead. He did many great things for his community, his family and friends and will be greatly missed! We love you Dad!
A very special Thank you goes to the staff at the Glens Falls Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Glens Falls, where Dad resided since June 2020. We send special hugs to the East Wing Staff, the Activities Staff, the Front Desk Staff, the Appointment Scheduler, the Maintenance Department, the Director Marty and I am sure so many more of you. A very special Thank you goes to his roommate, Jerry, you were a wonderful friend to him. You all had so much patience with him!!!!!!
Donations in John’s name can be made to the Hudson Falls Little League, 34 East Laclaire Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839.
Graveside services will be conducted at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery in Whitehall, NY.
Dear Debbie, we are so very sorry to hear of the passing of your father . Shai told us the story of the bracelet and necklace and how sweet he was. We will keep you and your family in our prayers for healing from this great loss.
Love ,The Beachler Family
Debbie,
Lee and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Speez. He was a wonderful man. We have so many fond memories of our summers with the team and often remember events that took place during our trips throughout NY State. He was a true leader within the community and someone young men looked up to. Please know we will always love, honor and cherish the memories he created for us during those summers of our youth.
Lee and Joe Sandora
Debbie, your dad and my dad Loren Sullivan grew up in Hudson Falls and played soft ball together for Sandy Hill . They both worked there . I remember the outings to Storytown amd Browns beach in Saratoga and of course the yearly Christmas party . You came to Maine with us one year also. I am sure our dads are together as I write this. May he Rest In Peace and May God comfort you .
Debbie, so sorry for your loss. I sat at many card games with your dad over the years. Always enjoyed his company. Matt Malan
Debbie and family sorry to hear about your dad my sincere condolences
Debbie and Family
I am sorry for the loss of Speez. He was like family. To this day I still talk to people about all the legion trips to Canada. I regret not seeing him in the last couple of years. In years past when I was reffing basketball at Hudson Falls I would stop and see him. He was a huge part of my late childhood and early adulthood. I miss stopping on Saturdays and during football season and seeing Mrs Speez with a pot of sauce cooking and John at the dining room table. My prayers go out to all the family. Our little piece of the world is going to miss that smile and hearty laugh! Rest in peace Speez and say hi to my dad for me. I’m sure if there is an OTB in heaven, you and my dad will find it!
Debbi,
So sorry to hear the passing of your Dad. Speez was a good friend of mine and of my two boys Sean and Marc. Many fond memories with you Dad around Derby, Wall St and RER’s Sunday poker game. My Dad and Speez were also good friends and enjoyed each others company. They will always be remembered.
Debbie,
Lee and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Speez. He was a wonderful man. We have so many fond memories of our summers with the team and often remember events that took place during our trips throughout NY State. He was a true leader within the community and someone young men looked up to. Please know we will always love, honor and cherish the memories he created for us during those summers of our youth.
Debbie,
Lee and I were so sorry to hear of the passing of Coach Speez. He was a wonderful man. We have so many fond memories of our summers with the team and often remember events that took place during our trips throughout NY State. He was a true leader within the community and someone young men looked up to. Please know we will always love, honor and cherish the memories he created for us during those summers of our youth.
Lee and Joe Sandora
Thanks for always having time for your “boys of summer “
Dear Debbie, I am heartbroken to hear about the loss of Speez. Your mother and father were so influential in my life as well as many others. Your dad’s passion for coaching our American Legion baseball teams was a very big reason I wanted to be a coach. He taught me so much on the field and off. I will always carry with me all of the fond memories of Speez and all that he did for me, his baseball teams and the community of Hudson Falls. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Speez and Bev will never be forgotten. Love Mark Andrejkovics and family
I met Speez in 1999 when I went to work at Monahan & Loughlin. What a sweetheart. He had many stories to tell and a heart of gold. Always a smile on his face. In summer I often drove my 1927 Ford and we had a laugh or two over that. He wanted a picture of himself in it, so I got one. I have no doubt someplace in his stuff he still has that picture. At Xmas every year he and Beverly would come in laden with home made goodies for the crew. Your Dad was one of the good ones and will be missed by many.
So sorry to hear of your dads passing. We became good friends when I went to work at Monahan & Loughlin. Always a smile on his face. We shared many laughs over the years. He and Beverly came to the shop every Xmas laden down with home made goodies. He had a caring heart and a smile all the time. He will be greatly missed
What a great man and a loss for many. How much I enjoyed reading about him in paper recently. Bev and John influenced so many young men and their families. We so enjoyed following Legion Ball with the family created by Spizzo family. I think he was truly surprised with the party at the Legion, but hope he realized how much the boys and their family realized his importance to them. He taught the young men more than a sport. He taught them to be good, caring people by his example. Your loss is felt by many. Our boys still talk about the Legion Ball days and the fun and family created by John and Bev. Thank you for sharing John and Bev with our family and community.
Debbie and family–Sorry to hear of your father’s passing. Many fond memories of him coaching me in senior league baseball and later interacting with him at Wall St. skating or at Derby Park during softball. I used to chat with him when I dropped off football tickets. The ones that said “For amusement purposes only”. He was a great person and will sorely be missed.
Deb, Joe and I are so sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. We know you have many special memories of your Mom and Dad. They were wonderful people and a treasure to our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
Love, The Battiste Family
To the family of Mr Spizzo.
I am Jerry’s neice from Ticonderoga, I was very thankful he was my Uncle’s roommate at GF Nursing Home. They had a good time together. My granddaughter and I had a nice visit with him on Christmas Eve afternoon. He was full of life. God Bless him , My Uncle will miss him.
Dear Debbie and Family,
We aren’t the same at the Glens Falls Center without him-especially Bingo. He left an impression on both staff and residents alike, and we will all miss him, and seeing you. Thanks for letting us be a part of his life.
Dear Debbie and Mike,
We were so saddened to hear of your dad’s passing while we were in Maryland. I always enjoyed visiting your home while your dad was home; he d be in the kitchen with us adding spices and such to the delicious spaghetti sauce and meatballs. John always made me feel welcome, and I especially enjoyed his
great humor and quick wit! I was very aware of his higher intelligence from a very young age that he passed on to his only child, you! I d see him out in public and he always greeted me happily, and always asked about how my parents were doing, especially my mom. My mom was always very found of your dad too when he came in about an insurance question he d ask her!
Dearest Debbie,
My brother and I just loved playing for Speez. We have such fond memories of our youth playing for him as your dad was so easy to approach and be with. He loved the game of baseball like we all did, but he loved his boys of summer more. He had many sons and we are all honored to be a part of your family.
Len and Tom Tarantino
HF Class of 76 and 78
I just learned of Coach Spizzo’s death today. I played for Coach Spizzo for two years on the Hudson Falls American Legion team in the mid 1980s. He was a great coach, mentor, and friend – he always looked out for his “boys” both on and off the field. He always knew the right things to say when someone was struggling.
He will be missed! Thoughts and prayers to his family.