Renard “Renny” Rozzoni
On July 10, 2018, Renard "Renny" Rozzoni strapped himself into the cockpit of his glider and ascended into his beloved New Mexico skies.
His passion for more than forty years, flying brought him fulfillment, freshened his perspective, and renewed his spirit. Although he had no way of knowing this flight would be his last, he was a firm believer in fate and its formidable power, and he lived his life accordingly. Though unexpectedly and tragically cut short, his life was a full, rich and consequential. Renny was many things to many people. He was first a son and brother, born November 26, 1952 in New Rochelle, NY, to Edna and Angelo Rozzoni.
His parents soon moved to Europe where he spent most of his grammar school years. He returned to New York for high school and thereafter attended the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1974. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army. In 1975, Renny earned two of his most important titles: husband, when he married Joan Marie Cotter on August 23rd; and pilot, when he received his pilot’s license. During his first active duty assignment, at Fort Ord, CA, Renny earned the title of dad with the birth of Jennifer in 1976.
After obtaining his Master of Business Administration degree from Golden Gate University, he served two tours near the 38th Parallel in South Korea. Returning stateside, Renny transferred to Fort Sill, OK, where he became a dad once again when Danny was born. That same year, Renny left active duty, transitioned into the Army Reserves, and joined the sales team at Mobil Oil Company. True to its name, Mobil moved Renny and his family many times during his career, including an assignment in Albuquerque from 1982 to 1984.
During even that short time, he fell in love with the majesty of New Mexico’s geography, the crystalline beauty of its skies, and the spectacular weather that made soaring so popular here. In 1984, the family moved to Southern California where Renny became a dad yet again with the birth of his son, James. In 1994, no longer able to resist the charm of New Mexico and all the possibilities it held, Renny moved back to the Land of Enchantment permanently.
Having already retired from the Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel, Renny retired from Mobil in 2008. As with the most fortunate retirees, Renny was busier in retirement than he was when he was working. In addition to his love of flight, he had many other hobbies and interinests. He was incredibly knowledgeable about military history. He loved movies and television and even began a small film company with some of his fellow West Point graduates. He was an avid photographer. He was also a volunteer for many years with Special Olympics, devoting his time to helping his son Danny and other athletes achieve their own success. He enjoyed the outdoors and regularly hiked in New Mexico and Colorado with Joan and Danny, and had just recently returned from a trip with them to Keystone, Colorado.
In 2004, Renny and Joan earned the title of grandparents and involved themselves deeply in the young lives of Emily Elizabeth and Alison Claire. Renny often jokingly referred to himself as their personal "Uber driver," chauffeuring them to and from hundreds of school and other activities.
While Renny never sought to be the center of attention, his sense of humor and ability to relate to anyone invariably drew people to him. He was a good and moral man, the proud patriarch of his family, and a radiant and infectious source of energy and spirit to the very end. Although his sudden absence from our lives has left an aching and profound void, his family and friends all know how lucky, honored, and blessed we were to have been loved by him. We all look forward to seeing him again.
Renny is survived by Joan, his wife of nearly 43 years, daughter Jennifer; sons, Danny and James; son-in-law Greg; granddaughters, Emily and Alison, and grandson, Justin. He is also survived by his mother, Edna Sidari; brother, Bob Rozzoni and his wife Pam; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Cotter; brother-in-law Peter Cotter and his wife Julie, brother-in-law Joseph Cotter and his wife Marianne, as well as thirteen nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 23, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Paul XXIII Catholic Community, 4831 Tramway Ridge Dr. NE, with a reception to follow from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at FRENCH – Wyoming. Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Renny’s family requests that donations be made in his name to Mandy’s Farm at https:// mandysfarm.org. Please visit our online guestbook for Renny at