Growing up, Alex Burzese remembers spending time helping out at The Original Style Pizza when his father, Robert Sr., owned the Ambridge business.
In 1986, he purchased the business from his father and continues to operate the popular Merchant Street shop today.
"I always wanted to follow in his footsteps," he said.
In 1986, he purchased the business from his father and continues to operate the popular Merchant Street shop today.
"I always wanted to follow in his footsteps," he said.
Owner Alex making pizza as his father did before. Robert L. Burzese Sr., 91, of Sewickley, died Tuesday, April 15. He was born on Sept. 25, 1922, in Ambridge to the late Alexander and Mary Mercadante Burzese.
He retired from the Ambridge Water Authority and took over in the early 1950s as the owner of The Original Style Pizza in Ambridge, also known as 14th Street Pizza and Police Station Pizza for 32 years.
Alex Burzese of Sewickley, the youngest of five children, said his father handed down the family recipe, which the restaurant still dishes up today.
He was 20 when he decided to purchase the restaurant, and still remembers his father's advice.
"Save your money was all he kept saying. Save, save save," he said.
He retired from the Ambridge Water Authority and took over in the early 1950s as the owner of The Original Style Pizza in Ambridge, also known as 14th Street Pizza and Police Station Pizza for 32 years.
Alex Burzese of Sewickley, the youngest of five children, said his father handed down the family recipe, which the restaurant still dishes up today.
He was 20 when he decided to purchase the restaurant, and still remembers his father's advice.
"Save your money was all he kept saying. Save, save save," he said.
A World War II veteran, Robert Burzese served in the U.S. Army, participating in campaigns in Rhineland, Central Europe and Africa as part of the medical corps and was the recipient of two Bronze Stars.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Angelina Dippolito Burzese, and his brother, Alexander Burzese.
"He was ready. He wanted to see his wife," his son said.
He was the faithful and loving father to Marie (Joe) Drewnowski of Baytown, Texas, Robert Burzese Jr. (Joanne) of Butler, Elaine (Terry) Sechler of Sewickley, Dianne (Barry) Rotz of Cranberry Township and Alexander (Amy) Burzese of Sewickley; loving grandfather to 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother to Richard Burzese of Florida and Alfred (Phyllis) Burzese of Tennessee; and brother-in-law to Tony (Mary) Dippolito of Economy.
Friends of Robert L. Burzese Sr. will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 21 at the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.
Prayers will be offered at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in the St. James Catholic Church, where Robert Burzese was a member. Interment with full military honors will follow in the St. James Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project.org or by mail to P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Please include In Memory of Robert Burzese Sr. in the memo.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Angelina Dippolito Burzese, and his brother, Alexander Burzese.
"He was ready. He wanted to see his wife," his son said.
He was the faithful and loving father to Marie (Joe) Drewnowski of Baytown, Texas, Robert Burzese Jr. (Joanne) of Butler, Elaine (Terry) Sechler of Sewickley, Dianne (Barry) Rotz of Cranberry Township and Alexander (Amy) Burzese of Sewickley; loving grandfather to 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brother to Richard Burzese of Florida and Alfred (Phyllis) Burzese of Tennessee; and brother-in-law to Tony (Mary) Dippolito of Economy.
Friends of Robert L. Burzese Sr. will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 21 at the John Syka Funeral Home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge.
Prayers will be offered at the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in the St. James Catholic Church, where Robert Burzese was a member. Interment with full military honors will follow in the St. James Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project.org or by mail to P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. Please include In Memory of Robert Burzese Sr. in the memo.
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