Francis Matthew Polizio

Francis Matthew Polizio, 93, a lifelong resident of Port Chester, NY died November 7, 2025 in Weymouth, Mass. He was born April 8, 1932 in Port Chester, NY to the  Emanuel Polizio and Juliette MacNamara Polizio. He was raised and educated in Port Chester, NY., and studied at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut, Middlebury College in Vermont, University of Madrid in Spain and at the Sorbonne in France. 

His father introduced him to gardening, landscaping, do-it-yourself construction and the rich culture of New York City, all of which he continued to enjoy for his entire life. He was preceded in death by his father in 1944, and became "The man of the family" at 12 years old; he took this responsibility seriously and continued to help his mother and sister in many ways, and maintain the family home for over 80 years.

He taught French and Spanish at Oakland Military Academy, Pompton Lakes High School in New Jersey and Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York. He became a leader in his community at a young age, making his mark on his high school's yearbook; later in retirement he continued that legacy by becoming deeply involved in the process for renovating the very same school, Port Chester High School, publicly speaking about preserving the school and working with the school board to ensure that the modernization didn't compromise the building's beauty and original architectural design.

He traveled widely in Europe and around the United States, maintaining friendships with interesting people all over the world, and in his hometown of Port Chester. He spoke fluent English, Spanish, French and a little bit of German. He was a sponsor of the ABT (American Ballet Theatre), an active member of the Alliance Francaise at both the Greenwich Library and the Byram Library. 

He is survived by his sister, Eva Polizio Gilarde and her husband Vincent Gilarde, their children Matthew Gilarde and his spouse/partner Niki Sacco and their daughter Vinnie Mae Gilarde, Trina Gilarde Camarao and her husband Antonio Camarao and their children, Luke and Carlos (aka Charlie) Camarao, and Renee Gilarde, also many cousins and good friends.

As per Francis' request there will be no visitation or funeral service. A graveside service will be held 11AM on Friday November 14, 2025 at Greenwood Union Cemetery North St. Rye, NY. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in memory of Francis may be made to the Port Chester Historical Society PO box 1511 Port Chester, NY 10573.

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