Victor Nicholas Cannizzaro

Victor Nicholas Cannizzaro, 94, most recently a resident of Sun City Center, FL, passed away peacefully on Aug. 12. Victor was born on Aug. 5, 1921, in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, NY, where he was raised in the Catholic faith, along with his three siblings, by his late parents, Nicolo and Epifania Cannizzaro. After graduating from James Madison High School in 1939, Victor continued his education at St. John’s University, majoring in accounting, and receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1943. He began his career as a CPA for the accounting firm, Arthur Anderson. He continued his work as a financial executive, and upon his retirement in 1986, Victor was the Vice President and treasurer for Amrep Corporation in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Victor enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and was a Private First Class while still attending St. John’s University. In 1944, Victor was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. and joined “JASCO” the Joint Assault Signal Company of the 4th Marine Division. In the early morning of February 19, 1945, Victor was in the first wave in the first hour of the beach landing of the Marines in the epic battle for the island of Iwo Jima in WWII. He was on the island of Iwo Jima for thirteen and one-half days and served as a spotter and radio transmitter of coordinates to the battleships that directed the aim of the battleship’s big gun fire. The battle for the island of Iwo Jima is remembered in two iconic photos taken by the famous WWII photographer Joe Rosenthal on top of the (545 ft.) Mount Suribachi. The most famous photo was the “Raising of the U.S. Flag” and the second, taken later that same day, the photo entitled “Gung Ho.” Victor can be seen in the “Gung Ho” photo; he is the smiling soldier with his thumbs in his pocket, third from the left. Both photos have been widely reproduced. At the end of his service with the Marines, Victor received the rank of Captain and received the Presidential Unit Award. Victor was the beloved husband of the late Jacqueline Horan Cannizzaro for over 30 years. Upon Jackie’s passing, Victor then married Noemie “Mimi” de Venoge of Manhasset in 1986. They were married for 27 years until Mimi passed in 2013. Victor will forever be remembered by his surviving brother Joseph (Gail), his loving sister Rose Hourican, and sister-in-law Virginia (Salvatore) Cannizzaro. He is survived by his daughters Carol Ann Hernandez (Steven), Laura Furey (Ray), Marie de Venoge, and sons Marc de Venoge (Mary Lou), and Paul de Venoge (Carol), as well as 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Victor had countless friends and family who were blessed to know him. Victor was an avid golfer, and cherished spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of the American Legion, the Marine Corps League, Plandome Country Club, and the Garden City Men’s Club. Victor practiced his Catholic faith as a parishioner at St. Mary’s of Manhasset and, most recently, at The Prince of Peace in Sun City Center, FL. Victor touched the lives of many people with his smile, and his kindness. He maintained his trademark sense of humor and enjoyed the simple pleasures of life. He will be dearly missed. Friends and family were invited to attend a Memorial Mass at St. Mary’s held Saturday, Aug. 29.
Contributions in lieu of flowers can be sent to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society link at www/secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Donation2?idb=1488125130&df_id=52187&52187.donation=form1 or by mail donations may be made in Victor Cannizzaro’s memory to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society New Jersey Metro Chapter, Aspen Corporate Park No. 1, 1480 U.S. Highway 9 North, Suite No. 301, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.