Joseph Rozzi was the President of Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks in Loveland, Ohio. Mr. Rozzi died Friday June 4, 2004 age 82.

The tradition of Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks began with Paul Rozzi, an Italian immigrant and fireworks maker. He came to the United States in 1895 and settled in New Castle, Pennsylvania. There he started making the fireworks that have since gained the reputation as being among the very best in the world.

Paul taught his trade to his son Arthur who eventually surpassed him in technical and artistic skill. Arthur was intensely devoted to his love of fireworks. After working for the war department during WWI, he combined this love with the science and technology of military pyrotechnics.

In 1920, then married with two sons, Joseph and Paul, he set out on his own. His first attempts at starting his own company were short- lived but his reputation grew. Then came the Depression and a return to New Castle to help his struggling father.

In 1930 he took his family to Loveland, Ohio, a small town close to Cincinnati, and started another factory. This time the opportunities were better. He contracted to shoot displays for Coney Island, one of the earliest amusement parks in the country. And on May 23, 1935, he shot the fireworks for the first ever night game in Major League Baseball at Crosley Field. A crowd of 20,00 watched the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 and then enjoyed a spectacular fireworks show.

Rozzi’s fireworks are best known for their annual Riverfest display, but Loveland residents have enjoyed their own Rozzi displays for decades on National Holidays, smaller community celebrations, and even recently the Loveland High School Homecoming Football games. The nightly fireworks at Kings Island are from the Rozzi factory on Lebanon Road across from Symmes Park.

Joseph Rozzi grew up in the family business and continued to work until early this year.

Mass of Christian burial was Tuesday at 10:30 AM June 08, 2004 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church 7754 Montgomery Rd. Interment was at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Montgomery, Ohio

Mr. Rozzi was the husband of Jeanette Rozzi (Nee Della Forre). Father and father-in-law of Arthur and Karen Rozzi, Nancy Rozzi, Paula Rozzi, Louise and Dan Erdeljohn, John and Rita Rozzi, Angela and Martin Burns, Joseph and Linda Rozzi. Grandfather of Jennifer Egan, Andrea Gautruad, Nicole Rozzi, Mary Rozzi, Eva Valentine, Michael Lutz, Bryan Lutz, Matthew Lutz, Philip Erdeljohn, Neil Erdeljohn, Alina Rozzi, Monica Rozzi, Peter Rozzi, Bruno Rozzi, Martin Joseph Burns, Grace Burns, Isabella Rozzi, and Sophia Rozzi. Great Grandson Arthur James Egan. Dear brother of the late Paul Rozzi. Also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Photo and bio of Mr. Rozzi are from the web sites of the Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home and Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.