Max L. Rizzardi, 85, of Schuylkill Haven, died Wednesday at his residence.

Born in Wadesville, Aug. 26, 1929, he was a son of the late Max Armondo and Louise L. Gaspretti Rizzardi.

He was the husband of Carol A. Durish Rizzardi. They were married on April 15, 1994.

He was a 1947 graduate of Pottsville High School, where he played on the football team and was inducted into the Pottsville Sports Hall of Fame in 2000.

He served in the Coast Guard as a ET2 in the Korean War.

He attended the Seaman's Church Institute in New York for marine engineering and was employed as a marine engineer for the Exxon Oil Co. in Houston, Texas, where he worked until retirement.

He was a member of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Pottsville.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Rizzardi; brother, Arnold Rizzardi; and sister, Irma Leone.

In addition to his wife of 20 years, Carol, he is survived by his niece, Louise Leone, Allentown; two nephews, Leo and Leonard Rizzardi, both of Schuylkill County; and two great-nieces.

Interment will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, at the convenience on his family. A Memorial Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. March 9 at St. John the Baptist Church, Mahantongo St., Pottsville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony's Guild, 144 West 32nd St., New York, NY 10001-3202 or Hillside SPCA, P.O. Box 233, Pottsville, PA 17901. Hamilton Funeral Home Inc. is entrusted with arrangements.

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