Girard event keeps spotlight on unsolved murders, distributes free school supplies

August 29, 2010 at 12:07a.m.

By AMANDA C. DAVIS

GIRARD

The memory of his children’s smiles were reflected everywhere Joe Pizzulo looked.

On Saturday, hundreds of people — including many children — showed up at Tod Park to take part in Family Fun Day to honor the memory of Pizzulo’s former fianc e, Lena Cross; their biological son, Christian Pizzulo; and Cross’ son, Mason, whom Pizzulo helped raise as his own.

The three were killed Sept. 12, 2005, at Lena Cross’ duplex, 413 Dearborn St., Girard. Police say the woman, who was 22 at the time, was stabbed to death, and Mason, 5, and Christian, 2, died of smoke inhalation from a fire that was intentionally set. The case remains unsolved.

His children’s smiles are what he misses most, but Pizzulo said the sight of other kids having fun makes the deaths of his loved ones more bearable.

“It doesn’t get easier, but I mean this helps,” he said. “Instead of crying about it every year, [this event] gives us a way to keep their memories alive in a positive light.”

He was married in July and has eight stepchildren with his wife, Laurie.

The fourth annual event offered free food, entertainment and a school-supplies giveaway. It’s supported by the Lena, Mason and Christian fund, a tax-exempt charity started by Pizzulo’s mom, Cindy Michael, with the help of a lawyer.

“After their murders, people were just sending us money in the mail, and we didn’t need it,” Michael said, explaining that the idea for a charity “just clicked.”

Michael found an unused “Spider-Man” backpack that she had bought for Mason while sifting through belongings at the site of the fire. She decided then to create an annual giveaway so area children would have backpacks and other supplies to start the school year.

Alijiah Pizzulo, 10, has helped stuff backpacks the last four years but doesn’t remember much about the cousins he used to play with before the fire.

Sheila Alfrey of Niles, Lena Cross’ aunt, does remember, saying her niece was a caring person and a good mother who would do anything for anyone.

She said it’s comforting to know the event keeps alive the victims’ memories and keeps a spotlight on the crimes.

A line formed about an hour before the event started, and Michael’s husband, Ken MacPherson, said they expected to hand out more than 300 backpacks.

The charity is funded through private donations and a February spaghetti dinner. MacPherson said the fund also helps Mahoning and Trumbull county families and children displaced by fire, gives away smoke detectors and helps families during the holidays.

To donate, visit www.lenamasonchristian.org or call Michael at 330-883-0803 or MacPherson at 330-219-3564.

The volunteer-run event featured face painting, clowns, crafts, a vigil and prayer led by Bill Padasek, Michael’s friend and president of the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO. He said he planned to pray for the safety of all children in attendance and to speak about the legacy of Lena, Mason and Christian.

“They weren’t here long, but they had a big impact on a lot of people,” he said.

Nicole Kortes of Girard helped out at the event and considers Michael and Pizzulo family. The giveaway is helpful for families, she said, and the event helps “pull the community together.”

Michael said Girard police stay in contact with her, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation is still involved in the case. There is a cash reward for anyone who provides information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case; call Help Hotline at 330-746-2583.

Michael’s mother, Darla Csizmar of Vienna, said she plays the lottery regularly, hoping to win money to increase the reward.

“Money talks, and maybe somebody, someday might talk,” she said. “I hope there’s closure.”