Above: Renzo Ventrella '92 emceeing Maroon and Blue Day, September 28, 2018.
(Photo by Harisch Studio)

Remembering Renzo Ventrella '92

Xavier High School mourns its loyal Son, fine arts department chair Renzo Ventrella '92, who died suddenly on October 13. 

Ventrella graduated from the School of Visual Arts and CUNY Brooklyn. A gifted artist and illustrator, he returned to teach at Xavier in 1997 and was awarded the Bene Merenti medal for 20 years of service at graduation in 2017. In more than two decades teaching at Xavier, he became a larger-than-life figure to faculty and students alike, emceeing Maroon and Blue Day and dressing as Santa Claus at Christmas at Xavier each year.

Wake and funeral arrangements are as follows. All Xavier classes will be cancelled and offices closed on October 19, the day of the funeral.

Visitation:
Wednesday, October 17, 6-8 PM
Thursday, October 18, 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM
Fredrick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home, Inc.
20 Hicksville Road
Bethpage, NY 11714

Funeral Mass:
Friday, October 19, at 9:15 AM
St. James Church
80 Hicksville Road
Seaford, NY 11783

In the words of Mr. Ventrella's friend and Headmaster, Michael LiVigni P'21: "Mr. Ventrella was a good man, a gifted artist, and to many among us, family. He was our voice, our jester, our crooner, and Santa Claus all wrapped up in one larger-than-life person. I know that I will miss his friendship and presence terribly. May he rest in God's eternal peace."