Rosario V. Cannizzaro, ’58

Rosario V. Cannizzaro, South Burlington, VT, died December 11, 2024.

Born in Burlington, Rosario graduated from Cathedral High School, class of 1951. He served in the Army during the Korean War before coming to Saint Michael’s. As a first-generation Italian American, Rosario learned the value of hard work early in life. An entrepreneur at heart, Rosario established Hahn-Cannizzaro Real Estate in 1958, Cannizzaro Real Estate in 1976, and finally formalized Cannizzaro Appraisal Services in 1985. He was a founding member of the Northwestern Vermont Board of Realtors, and a past president.

He loved cooking and Sunday family dinners. He was a lifelong, well-known local accordion player, inspiring his children and grandchildren to appreciate music and take up instruments of their own. He loved to garden, something learned from an early age. Rosario told memorable stories of growing up on Park Street in Burlington.

Rosario is survived by his wife of 63 years, Pauline, four sons, a daughter, a sister, two brothers (John Cannizzaro ’62 and Joseph Cannizzaro ’66) and extended family. Two alumni brothers, Angelo Cannizzaro ’60 and Corrado Cannizaro ’60, predeceased him (in 2008 and 1995, respectively).