Tribute To Tom Iorizzo

Tom and his brother Paul were both real good guys….I spent lots of time with Tommy “hanging out” and he helped me with a bunch of parts and things…He and Labriola were my connection to the Eastchester crew..It sucks but they are both gone now..I attended both funerals……Tommy won races with no one on his mind except himself ❗ Some questioned how he went so fast… But that was his business and he was a very good driver… There was no middle ground there..You either loved him or hated him…I loved him and yes we had our moments, but if he were here now I would be the first to go to bat for him…The last year of his life he was very sick and I visited him often…It’s still hard to ride by the house on Rte. 22 and know he is not there….R.I.P. Tommy…I miss you and think of you often 🙁 …Don…….

The last time I saw my “cousin” Tommy was in 1961 when I left Eastchester . . . I still miss him.

Ray Yorizzo

Dino,
Thank you so much for pming me about this. You have no clue how much it means to me.
I tell everyone how great of father my dad was. He passed away when I was 21. Believe it or not, we never had a fight. I think the only time he got mad at me was when i bought my first mustang. “A ford? Really, Tom? Are you my son? Where did I go wrong?” hahaha. We did everything together and I would have had it no other way. Even when I was in my late teens, I would have rather hang out with my dad to go hunting, fishing or to a car show rather than hang out with with my friends. I always knew people loved my father, but it was not till his passing that I really found out. So many people came to the wake and funeral. I have never seen so many grown men in tears.
It’s so funny. I know how much racing meant to my dad. I begged him to take me to the track, but he never did. He got into fishing and bought a nice Grady white fishing boat. The family, mom, dad and my twin sister would go out every Sunday to fish or just enjoy the weather. My dad and I and Fred egloff would go fishing at night, during the week. I did not realize then, but this was his way of keeping me out of trouble. We also bought and renovated a house in upstate ny for hunting. My sister and I still own and use it to this day.
I have not seen Fred in a while, but he played a big role in my life and I have always looked up to him. Him and his family are great people. I consider them family.
I was sad to hear of Billy caseys passing. He too and family, great people.
Bobby lagana, still in eastchester. I grew up with his kids. Little Bobby and Dom are going far!
I could go on forever. I know Dover were the best times of my dads life! I heard every story, hundreds of times. I still meet people to this day who say how much they love my dad and how great of times they had at the track.
When I moved, I gave a bunch of pics to my good friend pat spatafore. I know there were a bunch of everyone’s cars, even a bunch of black and whites from the early days of Dover. I will scan them, I promise.. I have some here too, stay tuned.

Thanks again for all of the nice words. My mom and sister will be so happy to see. Thanks again, Dino. I will be in touch and add some photos..

Dino,

I remember that beautiful 65′ Chevrolet (Impala or Super Sport), with the Tuxedo Black paint job.
One of the ‘loudest’ stock class cars up there.

For the car to be classed in C/S, it would have had to be equipped with the ‘Special Mystery Engine’, the 396/425HP.

Saw Tom run that big Chevrolet versus the A/SA ‘Northeast Raider’ a couple of times in Stock Eliminator in 1969.

pc