Joseph Jacob Pizzini

Joseph Jacob Pizzini, of Monroe, Louisiana, was born on April 23, 1972, and passed from this life on September 3, 2026, at the age of 54.

Memorial service celebrating the life of Joseph will be Friday, September 18th, at 3:00 pm at Oaks Church, 5800 Frontage Rd, Monroe, LA 71202.

Joseph’s life began with a story his family would never forget. He arrived prematurely and unexpectedly while his family was at their ranch in Sattler, Texas on River Road. With no time to make it to the hospital, his father delivered him in the car on River Road on the way to the hospital. His birth certificate actually says born on River Road. Joseph was so tiny that his family remembers he could fit into a shoebox. From that remarkable beginning came a happy, sweet little boy who was dearly loved.

For many years, Joseph was the baby of the family—the youngest brother—until David came along 15 years later. Growing up surrounded by brothers and sisters, Joseph shared a childhood filled with the kind of memories that stay with a family for a lifetime.

Joseph was raised in Boerne, Texas, where much of his childhood was spent along the creek with his siblings. They fished, went canoeing, swam, explored, and enjoyed the outdoors together. His love of fishing and the outdoors stayed with him throughout his life.

Joseph was naturally athletic, coordinated, and adventurous. As a boy and young man, there seemed to be very little he couldn’t do. He rode a unicycle and pogo stick, skateboarded, played tennis and baseball, and was an exceptionally talented break dancer. He also loved his little Honda motorcycle. For a time, Joseph was fascinated by all things ninja and ordered special gear he could wear on his hands and feet, convinced it would help him climb a tree like a ninja. He was willing to try almost anything and always believed he could do it.

Animals always held a special place in Joseph’s heart. One of the family’s favorite memories is a pet goat, Fonzie, named because of his distinctive black top and white belly.

As an adult, Joseph put his natural ability with his hands to work as a carpenter. He was skilled at building and creating, but some of the most meaningful things Joseph did could not be built with his hands. He understood what it meant to go through difficult seasons in life, and that understanding gave him compassion for others who were struggling.

Anyone who spent much time around Joseph knew how deeply he believed in God and how important his faith was to him. He started his day with God and ended it with God. He made a point of sharing that faith with the people he loved, taking time each day to send scriptures to friends and family—sometimes offering encouragement, sometimes hope, and sometimes simply a reminder that they were being thought of and prayed for. His faith was not something Joseph kept to himself; it was something he tried to live and share with others.

Joseph drew strength from his faith, his church family at The Oaks, and his recovery community. His 6:30 a.m. AA meetings at Cafe Recovery became an important part of his daily life and provided him with a strong circle of friendship, encouragement, and accountability. Joseph, in turn, gave that same encouragement to others.

The depth of those friendships became especially clear during Joseph’s final days. The friends who came to the hospital to be with him and his family brought stories of times Joseph had helped someone, encouraged someone, or simply been there when that person needed him. Those stories gave his family a glimpse of just how many lives Joseph had touched.

Joseph’s family is especially grateful for his friends in Monroe who became Joseph's family away from home. His boss at Cajun Woodworks, Dustin Bouziga; his dear friends Gary and Mary Brooks; and his friend Patrick Gayle went above and beyond during Joseph’s final days. They surrounded Peyton with love and support and extended that same kindness and comfort to Joseph’s sisters when they came to Monroe to be by their brother’s side. Their friendship with Joseph—and the care they showed his son and family when it was needed most—will never be forgotten.

At the center of Joseph’s heart was his 16-year-old son, Peyton Pizzini. Joseph loved Peyton deeply and proudly believed he was the best son in the world. Like all of us, Joseph knew he had made mistakes along the way, but he was trying hard to become the father he wanted to be. He leaned on his faith for guidance and wanted Peyton to know how very much he was loved. Being Peyton’s father was one of the most important parts of Joseph’s life.

Joseph is survived by his wife, Jessica Steen Pizzini; his beloved son, Peyton Pizzini; his parents, Larry Glenn Pizzini and stepmother Joan, and mother Judy Mae Ruhle; and his siblings, Sheila Mayo, Roland Pizzini, Larry Pizzini Jr. and his wife, Sandra, Marilyn Sommer and her husband, John, Gina Pizzini and her husband, Dave Kveton, Nicholas Pizzini, and David Espinosa.

He is also survived by his many nieces and nephews who will carry their own memories of their uncle with them.

Joseph will be remembered as the tiny premature baby who became part of family lore, the man who understood life’s struggles well enough to recognize them in someone else and reach out a hand.

Joseph’s journey was not always an easy one, but it was his own—a life filled with family, faith, struggles, second chances, friendship, and love. The many people who came to his bedside and the stories they shared are a testament to something his family will always remember: Joseph mattered, and his life made a difference.

Joseph Pizzini was a registered organ donor. In a final act of love, Joseph’s generosity helped several people, giving others hope and the possibility of life. It was a fitting final gift from a man whose friends remembered him for reaching out to people in their times of need.

In his honor, this poem was read at his bedside:

My Final Gift

It is now time for me to move on

Into the dusk, but also the dawn.

I will remain as the morning comes

As I've left behind a gift for someone.

So another may walk, may talk, may see

Where their life was locked, I offered a key.

I am a donor to someone in need

My final gift, my final deed.