Submitted by: Dan Rich

Very Rev.Robert Bizzaro

Feb. 9, 1926 - Feb. 21, 2004

South Bend Tribune 2/25/2004

The Very Rev. Robert Bizzaro, 78, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 21, in Memorial Hospital, South Bend, of acute leukemia.

He was born on Feb. 9, 1926, in Princeton, N.J., to Frederick and Laura (Southard) Bizzaro. On Sept. 3, 1955, in Haddon Heights, N.J., he married the former Mary Lou Mattson.

Father Bob was a World War II Navy veteran who served his country from Oct. 21, 1944, to July 10, 1946. He was stationed at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan for one year.

He graduated from Princeton High School in New Jersey and received his bachelor of arts degree from Bard College in 1950. He also held a bachelor of sacred theology degree from the General Theological Seminary in New York City, the master of divinity degree from Philadelphia Divinity School, and the master of sacred theology degree from the New York Theological Seminary. He also held a certificate in pastoral counseling from the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health in New York.

Father Bob was ordained to the priesthood on Oct. 24, 1953. He served as curate at St. Mary's in Haddon Heights. He was elected as rector of Trinity Church in Cranford, N.J., where he served from 1956 to 1972. He later served as rector of Gethsemane Episcopal Church in Marion, Ind., from 1972 to 1975.

He went on to serve as dean of the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend from 1975 to 1991, where he was granted the title of Dean Emeritus. Father Bob was a member of the diocesan standing committee and had been a diocesan ecumenical officer. He was also a member of the diocesan council. Following retirement, he assisted at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mishawaka, Ind., and served throughout the diocese as needed.

Throughout his ministry, Father Bob served on numerous diocesan and national boards for the Episcopal Church. He was also very active in community, peace and civil rights causes including the AIDS Ministry, United Way and Hospice. He participated in the March on Washington with Martin Luther King Jr. in the early sixties. He later helped established the South Bend Advocacy Center and St. Margaret's House.

Father Bob enjoyed traveling, learning foreign languages, especially Italian, and spending time with family and friends at his cottage in Door County, Wis. He touched many lives with his loving kindness.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Lou Bizzaro of South Bend; his daughter, Gina Dudeck, and her husband, Michael Dudeck, and their daughters, Andrea and Julia, and grandson, Alexander; his son, Stephen Bizzaro, and his wife, Jeanine Bizzaro, and their son, Severn, and daughter, Gabrielle; his son, David Bizzaro, and his wife, Francisca Navarro, and their sons, Adrian and Lucas; and his dog, Mac.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Feb. 27, at 11 a.m. in the Cathedral of St. James on Lafayette Boulevard in South Bend.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday in the Forest G. Hay Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made on behalf of the Very Reverend Robert Bizzaro to the Cathedral of St. James in South Bend or to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mishawaka.