Jonathan "Jon" Hartman Gazzo

Jonathan "Jon" Hartman Gazzo, 54, of Biloxi, passed away on February 8, 2025, at Memorial Hospital Gulfport. Jon, a devoted husband, father, and accomplished professional, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, leadership, and love. A native of Biloxi, Mississippi, Jon was born in Tampa, Florida, on March 25, 1970, to Joseph Franklin Gazzo II and Jean Senseney Gazzo of Biloxi. 

A service to honor Jon’s life will be held at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Biloxi, Mississippi, on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, starting at 11:00am, with a visitation from 9:30am-11:00am. Graveside services will immediately follow the church service at Biloxi City Cemetery.

Jon was a loving husband to wife, Amy Bush Gazzo and a proud father to his two children, Luke and Emma Gazzo. His unwavering commitment to his family was evident in every aspect of his life, and he cherished every moment spent with them.

Professionally, Jon was a highly respected financial expert, serving as the Controller of Buddy’s Home Furnishings since 2003. In this role, he was instrumental in strategic financial planning, corporate risk management, and business development. Before his tenure at Buddy’s, Jon worked at Bancorp South Bank from 1995 to 2003 as a Trust Officer and Private Banker, where he earned his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2000.

Jon’s business acumen was unparalleled. He played a pivotal role in the expansion of Buddy’s Home Furnishings, spearheading the innovative franchising and licensing “pod investment” concept that led to the organization’s growth by an additional 59 stores in just five years. His contributions to the financial prosperity and industry leadership of Buddy’s Home Furnishings were widely recognized and celebrated.

A strong advocate for industry excellence, Jon was actively involved in professional organizations such as APRO, Association of Progressive Rental Organizations, the Florida Rental Dealers Association, and TRIB, The Rental Industry Buying Group. His leadership earned him the prestigious 2010 Rental Dealer of the Year award.

Jon was also a lifelong learner, earning his Master of Business Administration from William Carey College in 2002 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Real Estate and Insurance from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1993. His expertise extended beyond finance, as he became a licensed General Contractor in Florida in 2006, further showcasing his versatility and dedication to excellence.

Jon will be remembered for his keen intellect, pioneering spirit, and steadfast dedication to his family and profession. His love for life was always evident in all that he did. Jon enjoyed Cruisin’ the Coast each year, where he showcased his prized red Mustang. Along with his love for his car, he was an avid boater who loved driving his boat, “The Captain Frank,” to the islands with family and friends. Jon’s passion to help others showed through his leadership as an advisor for the Phi Kappa Alpha "Pike" fraternity at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he was once a member while in college at “Southern Miss.” His dedication and commitment to his fraternity were rewarded when Jon received the “Lifetime Achievement” award from the Pike Delta Mu Chapter at Southern Mississippi. His leadership impacted numerous lives of 'Pikes' throughout the years. His influence will continue to be felt within the fraternity he helped shape and the lives he touched.

Jon is survived by his wife of 30 years, Amy Bush Gazzo; his son, Luke Gazzo and daughter, Emma Gazzo of Biloxi, MS; his mother, Jean Gazzo; his brothers, Joseph Gazzo III of Biloxi, MS, Jake (Amy) Gazzo of Summit, MS, and Jason (Jessica) Gazzo of Biloxi, MS; his sister, Jena (Martin) Smith of Perkinston, MS, and a host of friends, colleagues, and loved ones who will deeply miss him.

Special thanks to Uncle Vernon Gazzo and best friend Mike Wills for their unwavering support during his illness.

Jon was preceded in death by his father and grandparents; Joseph Franklin Gazzo II, Claudia Gazzo, Joseph Franklin Gazzo, Elvera Senseney and Joseph Senseney.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in Jon’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/jonathan-gazzo-biloxi-ms/ or P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Jonathan "Jon" Hartman Gazzo.