Antonino Rizzuto

Antonino “Anthony” Rizzuto, affectionately known as Nino, passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025, at the age of 70, surrounded by loved ones at his daughter’s home in Oviedo, Florida. He was born on September 28, 1954, in Camporeale, Sicily, Italy.

Nino was the cherished first grandchild in his family, raised in a small Sicilian mountain village where he spent his early years helping at the family’s general store and playing music with his grandfather. At 16, he immigrated to the United States with his parents, Calogero and Nunzia, and his younger sister Rosalie, settling in Ridgewood, Queens.

A lifelong musician, Nino was a vibrant part of the Brooklyn Italian music scene throughout the 70s, 80s, and 90s, playing at weddings, restaurants, and community events. He later became a DJ and continued sharing his love of music well into his sixties. Though he worked in various roles over the years—including IT and school bus driving—music was always his passion and his way of bringing joy to others.

Nino and Rosalie married in 1985 and raised three children: Gabrielle, Alexandra and Charles. Though their marriage ended in 2015, they remained connected through family and came together again in recent years with kindness and mutual support.

He was an affectionate father and a proud “Nonno” to his grandchildren—Owen, Emmelyn, Ella, James, and Noah—who brought him deep joy in his final years. He loved to surprise them with dollar bills and his favorite phrase, “Nonno loves you!”

Nino had a lifelong devotion to his mother, Nunzia, with whom he lived and cared for faithfully until her passing at the age of 92 in 2023. His care for her was an expression of his deep respect, loyalty, and love.

Known for his stubborn streak, his big laugh, and his larger-than-life presence, Nino could talk to anyone and was always quick with a joke, especially if it meant teasing his children. His warmth, generosity, and music made him unforgettable to all who knew him.