A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Denville, N.J., for Deacon James William Rizos, who died on Aug. 5 at Morristown Medical Center, surrounded by his family, following a battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 76.
After years of prayer and discernment, Deacon Rizos answered God’s call to the Permanent Diaconate of the Paterson Diocese, N.J. He served as a permanent deacon at St. Mary Parish in Denville for 11 years.
Also known as “Deacon Jim,” Deacon Rizos was born in 1950 in Ballston Spa, N.Y., to the late Dorothy Jean (Kerin) and George Louis Rizos. As the eldest of nine children, he spent his childhood living throughout the United States as his father served with the American Red Cross. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, N.Y., and a master’s degree in theology from Seton Hall University in South Orange, N.J.
Deacon Rizos’ professional career spanned several decades in information technology. He worked as an IT consultant for several companies, including for many years at Accenture in Florham Park, N.J.
At St. Mary’s, Deacon Rizos was an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, a 30-year member of Nocturnal Adoration, brought Holy Communion to local homebound and nursing homes, and belonged to Knights of Columbus Council 3359 in Denville. He was a passionate advocate for the unborn, serving N.J. Right to Life and coordinating annual bus trips to the National March for Life in Washington, D.C.
Deacon Rizos also was involved with Operation Appalachia Ministry at Notre Dame of Mount Carmel Parish in the Cedar Knolls neighborhood in Hanover Township, N.J., traveling to West Virginia to help repair homes for families in need.
On June 28, 1975, Deacon Rizos married Mary Cecilia Webber, and they settled in Denville. His family was the center of his life.
Deacon Rizos enjoyed the outdoors, especially during trips to the Adirondack Mountains. He was a fly fisherman, hunter, and deep-sea fisherman. He played basketball into his 50s. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and served as a substitute teacher at Morris Catholic High School, also in Denville.
Deacon Rizos is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Cecilia Rizos; children, Gregory (Jessica), Daniel (Julia), Joseph, and Anne-Marie (William) Chapman; his grandchildren, Amelia, Jonathan, Elizabeth, Peter, Margaret, Augustine, Henry, Luke, Eleanor, and Paul; his siblings, William “Bill” (Sue), Robert “Bob” (Christine), Suzanne (Angelo) Pietropoli, Kevin (Fatima), Brian, Jean Marie “GiGi” (the late Hank) Oset, Neil, and Eileen (Mel) Denehen; his sister-in-law, Jean (Scott) Koernschild; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, parishioners, and friends.
Visitation for Deacon Rizos will be held on Friday, Aug. 14 from 4 to 8 p.m. at St. Mary Church in Denville. The Office of the Dead will be prayed for him at 7 p.m. Deacons who wish to participate should be vested in their Alb and diocesan stole in the narthex of the church by 6:45 p.m.
Deacon Rizos’ Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Aug, 15 at 1 p.m., also at St. Mary Church. Burial will be private.
Please make memorial donations in Deacon Rizos’ name to St. Mary’s Church, 15 Myers Ave., Denville, N.J. 07834.
Condolences may be shared with Deacon Jim’s wife, Mary: Mrs. Mary Rizos, 15 Avondale Rd., Denville, N.J. 07834
Please keep Deacon Jim, Mary, and their family in your prayers.
