Nicholas "Nick" James Pizzuto

Nick Pizzuto, age 76, passed away peacefully at the Margaret Z. Dozier Hospice House, surrounded by his family on Friday, September 26, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida. Nick is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patty of Tallahassee; his son, Matt Pizzuto, of Tallahassee and his daughter, Ann-Marie Pizzuto Walther, her husband, Kevin of Tallahassee, granddaughters, Elizabeth Nicole Walther and Zoey Marie Walther of Tallahassee; sister, Josephine Joan Gaudious of Cedar Grove, New Jersey and brother, Michael Pizzuto of Wayne, New Jersey. Along with Brothers-in-law: Vincent Gorham of Stuart, FL, John Gorham of Orlando, FL, Kevin Gorham (Shona) of Waxhaw, NC and Brian Gorham of Lake Mary, FL; Sisters-in-law: Joanne Gorham Fullman of Jensen Beach, FL, Barbara Gorham Esselstrom (Bill) of Hauser, Idaho and Carol Gorham (Kurt) of Altamonte Springs, FL and a myriad of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Michael Joseph and Christine Di Leonardo Pizzuto both of Belleville, New Jersey; his son, Anthony Michael Pizzuto of Tallahassee. Nick was born on October 31, 1948, in Newark, New Jersey to parents, Michael Pizzuto and Christine Pizzuto. The family moved to Belleville, New Jersey in 1955 and Nick attended public elementary and high school there. He starred as a basketball player and graduated from Belleville High School in Belleville, NJ in 1968. Out of high school he received a basketball scholarship to Kean College in Union, New Jersey until he received a knee injury during a game against Stony Brook University on Long Island, NY. He then traveled to Fort Pierce, Florida and attended Indian River Junior College (now Indian River State College) again playing basketball and earning his Associate of Arts Degree. While in Fort Pierce, he met his future wife, Patricia Ann Gorham; they were married at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Fort Pierce on May 25, 1977. After a brief stop in Titusville, Florida, Nick and Patty moved to Tallahassee in order for Patty to complete her Bachelor of Arts degree at Florida State University and they decided to stay and raise their family here. Their first son, Anthony Michael Pizzuto, was born February 5, 1982; followed by the birth of their twins, Matthew Nicholas and Ann-Marie, October 16, 1986. Sadly, Anthony was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia and after a valiant fight, including a bone marrow transplant, they lost him on May 6, 1989. They continued to nurture his memory for his siblings, Matt and Ann-Marie. After college Nick started his title insurance research career at Abstract and Title in Vero Beach, Florida. In 1979 Nick became a member of the Florida Institute of Certified Land Title Searchers, having fulfilled the required qualifications for membership. He remained in the Title Insurance industry for the next 40 years, including working at such firms as Tallahassee Title and First Title Services. Nick finished his career at his own firm until he retired in 2011. He enjoyed attending Florida State University sporting events, especially Men’s Basketball; season ticket holder with Patty since the team played in Tully Gym on the FSU campus. Nick was an avid walker and enjoyed early morning walks at Cascade Park. He loved his family, especially his granddaughters, Elizabeth Nicole and Zoey Marie Walther. Some of his proudest moments were the birth of each of his children, his daughter, Ann-Marie’s wedding to Kevin Walther and the birth of each of his precious grandchildren, Elizabeth Nicole and Zoey Marie. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Nick’s name may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the V Foundation – Victory Over Cancer (www.v.org). A memorial mass will be held at 2:00 PM, Friday, October 10, 2025 at The Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 900 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304. Todd Wahlquist is assisting the family with their arrangements (850-385-2193, www.bevisfh.com).

Tributes

Nicholas "Nick" James Pizzuto

October 31, 1948 - September 26, 2025