Lawrence Pezzulo facts for kids

Lawrence Anthony Pezzulo (born May 3, 1926 – died July 26, 2017) was an American politician and a Foreign Service officer. This means he worked for the U.S. government to represent the country in other nations. He served as the United States Ambassador to Nicaragua from 1979 to 1981 and as the United States Ambassador to Uruguay from 1977 to 1979. An ambassador is a top diplomat who represents their country in another country. He worked during the time Jimmy Carter was president. Pezzulo was a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and Education

Lawrence Pezzulo was born in New York City on May 3, 1926. He grew up there and later went to college at Columbia University. Studying at Columbia helped him prepare for his future career.

A Career in Diplomacy

After finishing college, Lawrence Pezzulo first worked as a high school teacher. He taught in Levittown, New York, for six years. This experience likely helped him learn how to communicate well with many different people.

Joining the Foreign Service

In 1958, Pezzulo decided to join the United States Foreign Service. This was a big step, as it meant he would travel and live in many different countries. His job was to help build good relationships between the United States and other nations.

Where He Served

Pezzulo worked in several countries around the world. Each assignment lasted a few years.

• From 1958 to 1960, he served in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
• From 1962 to 1965, he was in Saigon, which is now in Vietnam.
• From 1965 to 1967, he worked in La Paz, Bolivia.
• From 1967 to 1969, he was stationed in Bogotá, Colombia.
• From 1969 to 1971, he served in Guatemala.

These roles helped him gain a lot of experience in international relations.

Becoming an Ambassador

Later in his career, Lawrence Pezzulo became an ambassador. This is a very important role in the Foreign Service.

• From 1977 to 1979, he was the U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay.
• From 1979 to 1981, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to Nicaragua.

In these roles, he was the main representative of the United States in those countries.

Teaching and Lecturing

Even after his active diplomatic service, Pezzulo continued to share his knowledge. He was a diplomat-in-residence at the University of Georgia. This means he was a diplomat who spent time at the university, sharing his experiences with students. He also gave lectures at Goucher College.

Personal Life

Lawrence Pezzulo married Josephine DiMattia in February 1950. They had three children together. He passed away on July 26, 2017, at his home in Baltimore, Maryland. He was 91 years old. He was survived by his wife, his three children, and seven grandchildren.