Honor A Veteran

Albany County Honors World War II Veteran John Paul Liuzzi

Albany County Executive Mike Breslin, Congressman Michael McNulty and the Honor-A-Veteran Committee commemorated World War II veteran John Paul Liuzzi at a ceremony on March 5, 2007, in Albany.

John Paul Liuzzi was born in Albany on August 18, 1917. He was blessed with incredible athletic gifts and became an outstanding athlete, earning 15 varsity letters for football, track, baseball and basketball in four years at Christian Brothers Academy. He became a local legend for his outstanding athletics, owning the city meet record in the 100 yard dash. In 1936, Liuzzi was invited to try out for the Olympic track team, where he raced against Jesse Owens, but an injury prevented him from actually making it to the Berlin Games.

Liuzzi went on to share his passion for sports at Vincentian Institute, serving as an assistant coach before being drafted into the Navy in 1944. He served as a mail specialist during the remainder of World War II at the U.S. Naval Hospital in San Diego. When Liuzzi returned to Albany, he became Vincentian Institute's head track coach and assistant head football coach until 1960. Liuzzi always had several jobs to support his family, working for the Post Office until his retirement in 1971, for many years at Hamle's meat market and at the World Fair Tavern.

Liuzzi was the first athlete inducted into the Christian Brothers Academy's hall of fame in 1981, and was inducted into the Bishop Maginn School Alumni Association hall of fame in 1991 as a coach at Vincentian Institute. Throughout his life, he continued to actively support both institutions, and many other community organizations.

The Honor-A-Veteran ceremony is held every first Monday of the month to honor a deceased veteran of the community.

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