Obituary of Joseph P. Pizzurro, M.D.

Joseph P. Pizzurro, MD, 78, passed away May 30, 2016. Born September 10, 1937 in The Bronx, NY, Joseph Pizzurro attended Saint Peter’s University and medical school at St. Louis University. A proud American and veteran, he served as a Captain in the United States Army Medical Corps from 1964 to 1966 and completed a tour in Vietnam. After concluding his training as an orthopaedic surgeon, Joe started a medical practice in Ridgewood. Appointed to the Valley Hospital medical staff in 1971, Joe was dedicated to establishing Valley as the finest orthopaedic department in the area and continued to push himself as well as his colleagues to strive for excellence in patient care. He was the first to perform total joint surgery at Valley and helped establish a number of services at Valley Hospital including a modernized emergency room, The Total Joint Replacement Center, The Sports Institute, The Spine Center and physical therapy services. He served on the hospital medical staff in a number of positions including President from 1984 – 1985 and a member of the Board of Trustees. Joe also twice served as Director of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery from 1981 to 1988 and from 2005 to 2008. In over 40 years of practice, Joe grew a solo medical practice into one of the most successful group practices in the area and is widely acknowledged as one of the finest orthopaedic surgeons to practice in the region. Joe served the community with equal dedication. He received the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Healthcare Service Award. Joe also supported Bergen Catholic High School as President of the Crusader Touchdown Club and was recognized with both the Cornerstone Society and Horizon Lifetime Achievement Awards from the school. He was inducted into the Bergen Catholic Hall of Fame in 1993. An avid fan of the New York Yankees and Giants, Joe enjoyed watching games with family and friends. His impeccable manner of dress and professionalism was surpassed only by his generosity and love for friends and dear family. Joe is survived by Linda, his beloved wife of over 52 years, sister Carol Cassone, three sons and daughter-in-laws; Joseph and Kathryn-Mary, Drew and Alexis, Mark and Danielle and six grand children, James, Olivia, Caroline, Mary, Brianna and Jacob. Services were held on June 3rd at Vander Platt Funeral Home and St. Elizabeth Church. Donations in Joe’s memory can be made to the Valley Hospital Foundation.