George Martin Izzo, Ph.D. of Dahlonega, GA passed away peacefully from a rare pulmonary condition on March 23, 2017 in St. Petersburg, FL.

A memorial service with full military honors will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL on April 14, 2017 at 12:45 p.m. 

George was born July 11, 1949 to Stephany Gudlaski Izzo and Frank Izzo in Bronx, NY.  He graduated from Southern Freehold High School in 1968 and was immediately drafted into the U.S. Army, serving as Corporal in Vietnam.  He earned BBA and MBA degrees from the University of South Florida while also establishing a successful career in finance and real estate in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. 

Dr. Izzo earned the Ph.D. in Business Administration (Marketing and Real Estate) from the University of Mississippi in 1997.  He served as university professor for over fifteen years, most recently with North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega, GA and King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.  Professor Izzo was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Research and Teaching Fellowship to Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania in 2007-2008, a relationship he continued through various teaching, research and consulting engagements.  Dr. Izzo’s students knew him as a respected and caring professor and he continued to publish with scholars worldwide even during his retirement. 

George is survived by his sister, Mary Ellen Izzo Huckaby of Chipley, FL, and her son and his nephew, Phillip Agolio II also of Chipley.  George is also survived by his half-brother Wayne Izzo and George’s daughter, Danielle Pitts married to David and their children, Gemma and Anson; step-brother Dennis Gay and step-sisters Dale Gleason, Theresa Izzo and Diana Mason.  George was predeceased by his parents and step-mother, Clara Gay Izzo.

George had many friends throughout the U.S. and Eastern Europe and was known for his culinary skills, his love of Ole Miss football, and his active lifestyle of swimming, riding horses, hiking and taking his dogs for walks.  He enjoyed being close to the water and was one of the early members of the St. Petersburg Yacht Club where sailing trophies there still bear his name. 

George cared deeply for all animals and often contributed to charities supporting their care. Wiley and Dibbs, his special dogs in recent years, will greatly miss him. In memory of George, contributions may be made in his honor to ASPCA or other organizations supporting the care of animals.