Basil Pizzuto of Saddle Brook, a respected teacher, firefighter, and church music director, passed away unexpectedly, leaving countless people who knew him shaken, heartbroken, and slightly startled.
The day before he and his loved ones were scheduled to celebrate Thanksgiving and his 50th birthday, on Wednesday, November 23, Pizzuto, an assistant principal at Ridgewood High School, was at work when an aortic aneurysm struck.
Everyone who knew and loved Pizzuto felt a stomach punch, from the St. Philip the Apostle Church in the township to the Saddle Brook Fire Department to the village’s public schools.
Basil Pizzuto’s obituary details are not known as of yet. The cause of death remains unknown too.
Capt. Pizzuto served the Saddle Brook Volunteer Fire Department for more than 30 years. The 1998 hire of the math teacher from Paramus Catholic and Montclair State was followed by positions as grade administrator and, finally, one of the two assistant principal positions at the high school.
Tributes were sent his way
After hearing about hsi death on Thursday morning, fellow students and colleagues mourned for him.
“Such a significant and agonizing loss. I really can’t believe this is true,” Lesley Ward, the primary office secretary for the Ridgewood school district, stated.
The fact that Pizzuto presented The Giving Tree, written by Shel Silverstein, to some of the several kids he mentored says a lot about his character.
Ward remarked ‘he was bigger than life in every sense. The person to go to for SO many things. Everybody who knew him adored him. He was a father to two boys as well as many more children. Always surrounded by peers who trusted him, looked up to him, and regarded him as a friend.’
Saddle Brook Firefighter Vincenzo Iaquez remarked, ‘You had the charisma that just lighted up the room. I’m going to greatly miss seeing you at the firehouse on Tuesday nights and on fire calls. One of my favorite days of the week.’
Joe Dacosta remarked, ‘words would never really explain what kind of person he was. A genuine buddy who is willing to aid everyone. A fun-loving individual and a real patriarch. A cherished brotherhood’s brother.’
Tommy Hayes, who started playing with Pizzuto at St. Philip’s 18 years ago, said he’d miss the director’s hysterical keyboard playing, especially the upbeat Christian music they created.
Hayes said, “I feel lost. Our music is no longer, and Basil is deceased.”
Joe Brett commented, “We extend our thoughts and condolences to the family on behalf of the scouts and leaders of Saddle Brook Pack 222, both past and present. He was always a great leader, a good friend to the Scouts, and willing to help us out.’
