After a long illness and a courageous battle, John Joseph Piazza, Sr. passed away in Clearwater, FL, on Oct. 3, 2016. As a true Marine, he fought to the end.

Mr. Piazza is survived by his beloved wife, Rosemary Enzinna Piazza and his 7 children and their spouses: John and Natalie Piazza Jr., Susan and Scott McIntosh, Sally and Enos Burks, Steven and Angie Piazza, Carol and Chris Montie, Paula and Victor Ciardelli, Nadine Piazza/Rob Baldwin. Mr. Piazza was a loving grandfather to 21 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his two sisters, Nancy Piazza Fallin (Jim) and Mary Piazza Easton (Bob).

Mr. Piazza was born in New Brunswick, NJ, on Dec. 2, 1938. His parents, Marie Facchiano Piazza and Dr. Salvatore Joseph Piazza, M.D., eventually moved their family to upstate New York.

In 1956, Mr. Piazza became a proud Marine. He married the love of his life,  Rosemary Enzinna, on Feb., 1960, . Soon after, the newlyweds started a family – a very large family.

During the early days of marriage, Mr. Piazza operated a large farm in New Fane, NY. He was a deputy sheriff of Niagara County, NY. He owned and operated the Showboat Restaurant in Buffalo, NY, and Ransomville General Hospital in Ransomville, NY. He opened Senior Meadows Assisted Living of Lockport, NY, in 1965.

Mr. and Mrs. Piazza moved their family to Florida in 1975 where he continued to grow and operate one of the country’s largest assisted living and home health care companies. Mr. Piazza is known as a pioneer in the assisted living facility industry.

Extending his concern and care for others and upon retiring after 60 years of health care service, Mr. Piazza redirected his interest to the development of one of the largest private collections of military memorabilia in Florida that is currently on display at the Armed Forces History Museum, in Largo, FL, which he also founded.

Mr. Piazza was commandant of the Morris Dixon Detachment 54, Marine Corps League. As the founder and president, Mr. Piazza started the Injured Warriors Fund of Florida to support marines and their families. Mr. Piazza was the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, which included the position of president of the Injured Warriors Fund of FL and chairman of the Department of Florida Marine Corps League Scholarship Fund.

He will always be remembered for his true love and devotion to his wife, family, faith and his country.

A public celebration will be held at the Armed Forces History Museum, at 2050 34th Way N, Largo, FL, on a date to be announced.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at:

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

For information, go to armedforcesmuseum.com.