Gary Nizzi

Gary Michael Nizzi, Sr., 72, of Fripp Island, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, at Friends of Caroline Hospice in Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Born on October 25, 1953, in Savannah, Georgia, Gary was the first of four children born to Richard and Lena Nizzi. He grew up in Springfield, Georgia, and attended the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1975.
Gary began his career with Lockheed, working in Marietta, Georgia; Wichita, Kansas; and Palmdale, California, at the company’s renowned Skunk Works facility. He later joined Denmar Technical Services, where he consulted on classified military projects for companies including McDonnell Douglas and Boeing’s Phantom Works. Gary was part of the development team for the Bird of Prey, a stealth technology demonstrator that is now on display in the Research & Development Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Not many people love or even like their job, but Gary LOVED his work. For most of his career, he traveled every other week to somewhere he couldn’t tell us . . . to do something he couldn’t tell us! He was endlessly curious and always wanted to know how things worked, why they worked, and whether there was a better way to do them.
That curiosity extended far beyond his career. Gary will be remembered for asking questions because he simply had to know everything. He spent time researching his family history and traveling in search of more information about his lineage. He was also the person his family could count on to fix almost anything. Just as importantly, he took the time to pass that knowledge along to his children and grandchildren.
Family and faith were at the center of Gary’s life. He loved the outdoors and spending quality time with his family doing anything outdoors: camping, mountain biking, hiking, sports and hunting. He especially enjoyed fishing with his children and grandchildren and creating memories together. Gary was a devoted & involved member of each church his family joined, spending the majority of his time with Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Marietta, GA and later joined St John’s Lutheran Church in Beaufort, SC after moving to Fripp Island in 2014. Following his retirement a few years later, he took up pickleball, joined the Fripp Island league, and greatly enjoyed the competition, camaraderie, and friendships he found among his fellow picklers.
Gary and his wife, Ann Nordman, shared 44 years of marriage and raised their children, Michael and Matthew, in Marietta, Georgia.
Gary is survived by his mother, Lena Nizzi; his wife, Ann; his children, Michael (Jennifer) and Matthew (Brittany); his grandchildren, Mack, Shiloh, Karoline, and Aden; his siblings, Thomas Richard Nizzi, Sheri Nizzi (Robert) Posey, and Charlotte Nizzi (Hal) Bridges; and his nieces and nephews, Joe (Becca) Bridges, Jenni Bridges (Ethan) Carswell, Christopher Posey, and Heather Posey (Matthew) North. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Nizzi.
Those who knew and loved Gary will remember his ability to carry on a conversation—whether too long or not—as he simply enjoyed talking, sharing what he knew, and educating others. There were few people he met whom he did not try to teach something. He loved God, genuine interaction with people, and living each day to the fullest. Gary was curious, knowledgeable, generous with that knowledge, and deeply devoted to his family and faith.
A memorial service will be held on October 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Fripp Island Chapel, 205 Tarpon Blvd., Fripp Island, SC 29920.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that those who wish to honor Gary’s memory make a donation to the Fripp Island Community Center or St. John’s Lutheran Church, 157 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort, SC 29907.