Russell F. Vizzi, 82, of Boynton Beach, FL died Sunday, July 17, 2011. He was born in Passaic, NJ to Frank and Sadie Vizzi.

Russ earned his B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ.

During his extensive career with ITT/Federal Electric Corporation, he served as the Director of Operations, Huntsville, Alabama Manned Lunar Landing Mission and Orbital Laboratory. Russ received numerous public service awards and letters of commendation: one of the most prestigious being the Apollo Achievement Award which he received from NASA for his contribution to the successful launching of the manned lunar landing.

While employed by General Electric-International Operations, he developed medical system proposals for rapid diagnostic health testing in underdeveloped countries. This experience was the springboard for pioneering home health and hospice services.

Russ was Founder and Executive Director of Mid-South Comprehensive Home Health and Hospice, Memphis, Tennessee. During Russ? 15-year leadership at Mid-South, he expanded services into the tri-state area of Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi.

After retiring in 1987, Russ and his wife Katie relocated to South Florida. He earned his private pilot?s license, which was his lifelong dream. With this accomplished, he became an active member in the local Civil Air Patrol where he obtained the rank of Lt. Colonel. As a mission pilot he flew search and rescue missions and received many Commander Commendation Awards for outstanding performance.

He is survived by his loving wife, Katie and her daughter Tamara Mark Shermer; by his first wife, Esther, and their four children: Michael Judy Vizzi, Ellen Vizzi, Rusane Tom Myers and Denise Jim Covert; seven grandchildren: Julie, Nicholas, James, Timothy, Jared, Jacob, Jordan and two great-grandchildren: Ashley and Luke; three sisters, Connie Bob Lucas, Francis Stanley Saxenberg and the late Rose Valenzola Sonny; beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 20th 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Boyd-Panciera Funeral Home, Hollywood, FL. Funeral Mass to be celebrated Thursday, July 21st 10am, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Coral Springs and internment at Our Lady of Queen of Heaven, North Lauderdale.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in memory of Russell F. Vizzi sent to either Hospice of Palm Beach County or the American Cancer Society.