Paul Rizzo Sr., owner of Rizzo & Associates, passed away on Jan. 15. He was 92.

Paul Rizzo, Rizzo & Associates

Son of the late Paul and Mary (née Klement) Rizzo, he was born on March 6, 1929, and served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1956. For many years, he represented suppliers’ lines in the Midwest as owner of Rizzo & Associates in Illinois. He also helped his son, Paul Jr., establish multi-line agency Preferred Lines Marketing.

“Paul Sr. was one of the very first multi-line reps in our industry,” says Kent Getsee, co-owner of Preferred Lines Marketing alongside Rizzo’s son. “He had his business for over 40 years and was first-class all the way. He was the consummate professional and, although retired for over 20 years, will be missed from our industry. He would regularly counsel Paul Jr. and I on all things promotional products. He’d tell you all the lines he repped were his favorite, but Pentel of America was very close to his heart.”

In his spare time, Rizzo enjoyed boating on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin and making his own wine.

Rizzo was preceded in death by his wife, Bunny (née Kec) Rizzo, of more than 50 years, and daughter Janet Rizzo. He is survived by his son Paul Rizzo and daughter Pam (C.D.) Alderson; grandchildren Morgan, Buck (Kate) and Lauren Rizzo; great-granddaughter Elaine Kappes; brothers Fred and Chuck (Nancy) Rizzo; nephew Michael Rizzo; and sister-in-law Barbie Loehrer.

Private interment will take place in April with a celebration of life in early summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.