Dr. Richard L. Zizza
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial gathering on Saturday, June 18th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Vertuccio & 
Smith Home for Funerals, 773 Broadway (Route 107) Revere, for Dr. Richard L. Zizza, who passed away unexpectedly on June 7th at the Medical Center of Trinity in Florida. A memorial service will be conducted at the funeral home at 2:15 p.m.
Born in Revere, he was then raised in Lynnfield and was a graduate of St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers. He continued his education by attending Boston University Medical School where he graduated in 1979. Later, Dr. Zizza worked as a private practice physician serving the Revere community for many years. He left Massachusetts and continued practicing medicine in Carlsbad, New Mexico and then after in Tampa, Florida. He was an avid tennis player, enjoyed fine wine and reading in his leisure time. He will be remembered as a kind man, who treated others fairly and always strived to do what was right.
He is the devoted husband of Cathlene Heideman of Land O’ Lakes, Florida and the beloved son of Shirley (Dalelio) Zizza of Peabody and the late Louis R. Zizza. He is the dear brother of Joanne M. Zizza of North Reading, David Zizza and his wife Annegret of North Billerica and Lorraine Zizza of Dripping Springs, Texas as well as the cherished uncle of Rhiana and Jonathan Champoux, Rachel and Miriam Zizza, Zachary and Tyler Culp and McKenzie and McKayla Mellen and great uncle to Henry Louis Grady.
I am saddened by the passing of my friend Rich Zizza. We haven’t seen each other since residency. He was a good friend and a balanced voice.
So sorry to hear of Rich’s passing. He, Bill Slack and I were the 3 grads of OLA to go to the Prep for class of 1973. Too young to have gone. We touched base rarely over the last 35 years, but remember fondly the intellectual stimulation and challenges of elementary and high school.
If any others from Our Lady’s in the 60’s happens upon this page as I did, look me up in Watertown.
R.I.P with God in heaven.
I am deeply stunned and saddened to learn of the passing of my old friend Richard Zizza…. I simply cannot believe it we lost touch a number of years ago and I can’t believe this. I have long since missed his counsel and guidance and our exam room chats. He cared for my wife and I for many years , we were among his earliest clients.
He was a Good Man and Great Physician.
Cathy, If you get to see this- I am sorry beyond words.
My deepest condolences to you and his family and May God Bless.
R.I.P MY Friend
I just found out that Dr. Zizza had passed by looking on line to see where he was currently practicing.. I was a patient, and all I was told last year was that he was no longer with Verimed. He was a terrific Doctor who really cared about his patients and helped me a lot. My condolences to his family.
My deepest condolences to his family.. Dr. Zizza will be sadly missed by many…He was such a great doctor who cared very much for his patients… I truly thank him for the care he gave my Mother and Father..
Rest in peace
You will always be remembered
Gerard J Giles
Dr. Zizza was one of a kind. A true gentleman and compassionate provider. Dr. Pizza didn’t just deliver care…he truly cared. I cried when h and Cathy moved on to the southwest. Anyone who was treated by cared for by the very best.
As a classmate from the Boston University School of Medicine and Richard’s roommate in our last year of school I am deeply saddened by his sudden passing. He will always be remembered fondly for his generosity, compassion, the good times we shared and the stresses which we faced together. My deepest condolences to his family. With regrets I will be unable to attend services.
I have to say that Richard, (Z-Man) to all of his tennis buddies was one of the gentlest and most loving of any man I have ever known. He could make friends in minutes and he could talk hours with anyone about anything. A very cerebral personality, he had interests that spanned so many categories and subjects. I don’t have to tell anyone reading this how special he was, but I do need to tell all who will listen the depth and weight with which all his tennis friends loved him. He was a calming voice, and when the situation called for introspection or inspection of views and feelings, he was a deep reservoir of thoughts on so many different subjects. Never judgemental and always giving honest and thoughtful review to views of his friends. He will be sorely missed. A great friend and a life companion that nestled in tight to his friends and shared the feelings of love and commitment to each other that few who were not graced with his friendship could ever understand. We all knew, if we ever needed a friend, Richard would be front and center. That was him, loyal and thoughtful. It’s hard to think of him as gone so I will not. I will think of him looking down on me and saying, “That was a pretty good shot Flashy, but you can do much better.” Also I can hear him saying as I have so often, “Flashy, it’s only a game. Don’t invest so much importance in having great shots, but having great experiences.” That was typical of Richard’s great wisdom. I do love that man still. – Rest in peace Z man. You are loved