November 3, 1929 - June 22, 2018

Dick Scalzo, age 88, a long time Spooner resident, passed away on Friday, June 22, 2018. Richard Anthony Scalzo was born November 3, 1929 to Frank and Ivy (Albee) Scalzo in the town of Spooner. He was raised on the family farm on Little Cable Lake in the town of Spooner until 1946 when the family moved to a farm North of Trego. He attended school at Tadpole Corners, Trego and Spooner. While in high school he worked for Tony and Emma Lombard on their farm on the North edge of Spooner. On September 30, 1950 he was united in marriage to Beverly J. Spafford at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Shell Lake. They resided in Spooner and were summer residents on Cable Lake for 40 years. Bev preceded him in death on September 6, 2002. He continued to spend summers at their lake home.

For several years he owned and operated the Spooner Shell Station, where the bowling alley is now located. For 30 years he was in the forestry business, supplying wood products to the paper industry. He later worked a candy, tobacco and specialties distribution route with Rick’s Wholesale and also worked part-time as a funeral director’s assistant at the Scalzo Funeral Home in Spooner from 1977 up until 2010 when he turned 81 and retired permanently.

Dick’s passions were his family, working and playing in the great outdoors, and traveling, both domestic and abroad. He was a member of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Spooner. Dick and Bev worshiped for many years at St. Catherine Parish in Sarona where they established many great friendships with the parishioners there. Dick loved good BBQ and had his last smoked feast on Father’s Day.

He is survived by two sons, Andy and Rick, three grandchildren, Ricky, Billie (Joel) and Tony, a great-grandson Kevin, sisters Mary Lou (Larry) Lawrence, Kathy Scalzo and Pat (Doug) Brunner, brothers Francis “Bud”, Roger and David and his sister-in-law Alice Scalzo. He is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews, many other relatives on both his and Bev’s side of the families and a host of great friends. In addition to his parents and wife Bev, he was preceded in death by his brothers Bill Jim and Don, his sister Carol Predni, nephews Randy Predni and Tony Scalzo and his niece Nancy Scalzo.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered 11 AM Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at St Francis de Sales Catholic Church, Spooner with Father Gerard Willger, celebrant. Music will be provided by the church choir accompanied by Janet Medley. Interment will follow in the Calvary Cemetery, Spooner. A luncheon will follow in the school auditorium.

Memorials to St. Catherine Catholic Church, Sarona are preferred. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to all the nurses and staff in Shell Lake, Spooner and Rice Lake for the compassionate and professional care they provided to Dick in the final years of his life’s journey.

Skinner Funeral Home of Shell Lake is serving the family.

Last Update: Dec 16, 2018 5:53 pm CST