Remembering Al Pizano

Alberto Paul Pizano
January 8, 1931 – March 19, 2015

Dedicated Community Advocate and Volunteer

Santa Barbara lost a tireless advocate for education and the cultural arts in the passing of Alberto Pizano. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Pizano’s vast contributions to the communities where he lived can be seen through the many leadership positions he held in local and regional organizations over the course of his lifetime.

Pizano made a name for himself by co-founding and/or leading a plethora of community organizations in Santa Barbara, including the Flamenco Arts Festival, Mariachi Festival, Public Education Foundation, United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County, Santa Barbara Business Council, Santa Barbara Latinos for Better Government, and Old Spanish Days Fiesta, for which he served as El Presidente in 1987. We invite you to read the full Memoriam to learn more about all of Al’s many accomplishments.

Pizano was also a Lobero Theatre Foundation Board member, and a valued member of our Lobero Family.

Pizano is survived by his wife Lillian of 65 years; his daughters Vibiana Pizano Smith and Sonia Pizano- Bellotti; grandchildren Pablo Pizano Smith and Jaclyn Pizano Smith; and sons-in-law Brian Smith and Philip Bellotti.  He is predeceased by his two sons, Paul Pizano and Michael Pizano.

A funeral mass will be held at Old Mission Santa Barbara, 2201 Laguna Street, on Friday, March 27 at 11:00 a.m. Internment at Santa Barbara Cemetery, 901 Channel drive. A reception will take place at the Montecito Country Club.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care at 509 East Montecito Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 or www.vnhcsb.org/donate.