John B. Scalzo
Obituaries
Daily Sentinel page 3D - August 23, 2020
John B. Scalzo, of Rifle,
passed away on August 2, 2020,
at the age of 96.
John was born April 29, 1924,
in Grand Junction, Colorado, son
of the late Louis and Carolina
(Bonacci) Scalzo. John’s father
was a foreman for the Rio Grande
Railroad, and he spent his early
childhood in Cisco, Utah, before
moving to Rifle, Colorado in
May of 1930. John left high
school during 11th grade to join
the Navy but was too young to
enlist. He was recruited by a US
Maritime Recruiter and joined
the Merchant Marines. He
received his training at the US
Coast Guard in Sheepshead Bay,
New York. After training he was
stationed in the South Pacific
from September 1943 through
November 1945. He received
his discharge from the Coast
Guard for service in the Merchant Marines in January 1946.
John returned to Rifle and in May of 1946 received his GED. He
married Mary Keller on December 7, 1950, in Sedalia, Missouri.
They made their home in Rifle for 58 years. He had several
local jobs and joined the Rifle Chamber of Commerce. He sold
insurance and managed the local bowling alley. When they started
the Elks Lodge, he bought shares and eventually took on the job as
Organizational Secretary. He then became the first secretary and
club manager. During his time with the Elks Lodge in Rifle he was
Exalted Ruler, Chaplain and Trustee Grand Law Officer. It was
then that they started the Annual Invitational Western Slope Elks
Lodge Golf Tournament.
John always had many irons in the fire. He served as Rifle’s Fire
Chief from 1957 to 1977. In 1973 Mary and John opened It Liquors,
which was also known as Jon’s Liquors. They also owned Park
Avenue Car Wash, all the while John was on the road working for
Wholesale Liquor and Wine until retiring in 1986. While working
that job John served on the Expo Committee for five years, whose
purpose was to support and build the multi-purpose building at
the fairgrounds. He was elected to Rifle City Council, was chosen
mayor of Rifle and served four years. John helped start the free
paper for Rifle, which became the Rifle Telegram and is now the
Citizen Telegram. He chaired many committees but was most
passionate about Chair of The West Garfield County Memorial
Wall. John’s passion for honoring those that had served their
country from the surrounding communities inspired the memorial.
It was his drive and ability to raise and secure donations which
saw the memorial dedicated on November 8, 2009. From working
Bingo at the Elks Club to advisor for the Rifle Senior Center, John
wore many hats and accomplished a great deal for the town of Rifle.
Always available to help and always ready to comment on what was
happening in Rifle and beyond.
John is survived the members of the Scalzo, Zarlingo, and Keller
families.
Services will be held August 29, 2020, at 11:00 a.m., at the West
Garfield County Memorial Wall. Military Burial will follow at the
Rifle Cemetery
