Francis R. Pizza

Francis R. Pizza, age 90 of Sylvania passed away peacefully Sunday, March 6, 2016 in Mercy St. Annes Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born October 3, 1925 in Toledo to Toby and Philomena (Ricciulli) Pizza. He attended St. Charles Elementary School and graduated from Libbey High School in 1943. Francis enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns in France, Germany and Austria during WWII in the field artillery division. Francis was honorably discharged in 1946 and earned his B.B.A. from the University of Toledo in 1949. Francis married Betty Bodenstedt in 1958 and had 6 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Francis began his career as an agent for the Internal Revenue Service from 1949 to 1960 and then established Pizza and Pizza, a public accounting practice specializing in the affairs of small business clients. His son Anthony joined the firm in 1992 and Francis retired in 2014. He was a life member of the Ohio CPA Society and St. Jude Council of the Knights of Columbus, a member of Sigma Beta Phi at the University of Toledo, American Legion Post #355, and was treasurer of the Italian American Sports Club for 29 years. He enjoyed swimming and golf and had a hole-in-one not once but twice at Ottawa Park both in league play. Surviving is his wife Betty; children Mark, Anthony (Kelly), Andrew (Peggy), Francis (Tracy) and Kim Pizza and Amy (Ben) Pugliesi; grandchildren Zak (Cleia), Joe (Martha), Katie, Jake, Natalie, Ella, Dominic, and Grace Pizza and Bianca Pugliesi; and great-grandchildren Anthony and Noah Pizza. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Anthony G. Pizza. Friends will be received on Saturday, March 12 in St. Josephs Catholic Church 5373 S. Main St. Sylvania after 10 AM where the Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 AM. Interment Toledo Memorial Park. The family suggests memorials to the charity of the donors choice. Arrangements by Walker Funeral Home and condolences may be sent to the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com