By Reid J. Epstein
Newsday
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — A retired New York City police officer who fretted that he could no longer care for his elderly wife fatally shot her and then himself in their Uniondale home, Nassau Police said yesterday.
Joseph Pitonzo shot his wife Vincenza with a handgun in the sitting room of their raised ranch house, then turned the gun on himself in a bedroom, Det. Sgt. Richard Laursen said.
Laursen said the shootings probably took place Thursday night or Friday morning, though an exact time of death has yet to be determined. The couple were found dead Saturday morning.
Vincenza Pitonzo had been in failing health for years and her husband, whose own health began to decline, felt he could no longer take care of her, the Pitonzos’ family said, according to Laursen. Both were 85.
“It appears to be a situation where I guess he was concerned that he was not going to be able to care for her anymore,” Laursen said. “Unfortunately, he felt this was the way to take care of it.”
Joseph Pitonzo retired from the NYPD in 1966, Laursen said.
The Pitonzos had three daughters, though none could be reached yesterday.
The Pitonzos were the original owners of their raised ranch house on Pemaco Lane, said Eugene Perricone, who added he lived on the same block as the Pitonzos for 44 years.
“They were friendly and cordial,” Perricone said. “When they were younger, we used to have a good time together.”
Laursen said there was no history of police calls to the Pitonzo home.
Perricone, 87, said both Pitonzos had debilitating health problems.
“She never left the house for the last two years,” Perricone said. “She had a valve in her heart replaced five years ago. And he’s had two double-bypass surgeries.”
Joseph Pitonzo walked with a cane, Perricone said, and Vincenza used a walker. The couple, who according to New York State voting records were born four days apart, had three grown daughters, he said.
Though her physical health had deteriorated, Vincenza Pitonzo was mentally sharp and called Perricone last month to congratulate him and his wife on their 64th wedding anniversary.
Joseph Pitonzo, Perricone said, was healthier physically, even doing his own yard work until recently.
Copyright 2007 Newsday, Inc.