To the Zubia family,

I would like to extend my deepest condolences on your loss.  Your dad, grandfather, and husband was a good man who always found a way to bring out the best in all of the players that he coached.  I grew up on the same street as the Zubia family, and every time he would drive by and we were outside playing, he would always ask me when I was going to play for him.  When I finally did, it was the best decision of my young,athletic life.  

The years that I played for Pia at Marwood Park were some of the best times of my life.  The relationships I developed with my teammates and coaches continue to this day.  Our teams were so good in those days, but what no one saw were the 2-3 hour daily practices at El Barro, when Pia and his staff would run us through drill after drill, making us run every time we missed a ground ball, fine tuning us into a team.  By the time the games came around, we were ready for whatever the other teams threw at us; it was nothing compared to our practices.

As I got older, it was always a joy to see Pia around the neighborhood and around a baseball and football field.  In recent years, Pia would always stop by my office and have me buy a sponsorship to the annual Smelter Town dance.  I always looked forward to those visits and our talks.  

Having recently started coaching my boys baseball team, I developed a new found appreciation for all that Pia did for us.  I can honestly say that he made a lasting impression on me and that he will always be my Coach..

Bobby, Louie, Debbie, Omar, and Rosa:

I would like to extend my condolences to you.  Pia was my little league coach (Wildcats) for roughly four years at Marwood Park.  At the time I had no clue of all the good he was doing for the youth in the community.  Being so young, I never really appreciated what Pia did for me and the rest of the kids he coached in little league.  Kids from the Buena Vista, Canutillo, Marwood, Montoya, Pacific and, Town and Country communities always had a coach they could depend on.

Most coaches now ask to be paid if they coach a youth program or a private club team, but not Pia.  He coached and raised us for free.  Always making sure we were taken care, buying us a snow cone if he saw us at the park after a game, or buying a hot dog for us if he knew we had not eaten before a game.  Pia never said no to us.  If we needed a ride to or from a game, regardless of how far we lived, Pia would give us a ride.  He never turned down anybody who wanted to play for him either.  Pia pressed us hard to learn and play the game correctly, and he for sure did not take it easy on us, but not because he wanted to win (which we always did) but because it was an innate characteristic he had to only want what was best for us.

There are too many stories to tell of how generous he was with us.  I, as well as others, are thankful he continuously remained occupied in raising us.  He was a selfless man who looked after his family, friends, and players.  When I heard of his passing, it seemed that almost every day that I had played and practiced for him came rushing to my mind.  In a sort of panic I was sad and worried at the same time. Sad because a good person had left our community, and worried because of the youth of tomorrow might not get to experience someone as generous and giving as he was.  I tell my two boys, whenever they can pry themselves away from their phones, that I had the opportunity to play for a coach who cared not just about how I played but also about how I was living my life.  

As years went by, I would see Pia at different functions or games and he would never hesitate to say hello and ask how my family and I were doing.  I would ask him how Bobby and Louie were doing and he would answer me quite quickly, but only because he could not wait to proudly tell me about his grandchildren.  Over the years it seemed he had let go of the sternness he had while coaching me.  I feel, only because he was happily concentrating on his grandchildren. 

In writing this letter to the Zubia family I would hope you realize what a good father, grandfather, and husband you shared with the rest of us.  For that, I would like to say thank you for allowing Pia to be our coach.

Jarvey Aceves


Missing you more and more each day that passes.  You will always be my hero and my first love.  ❤  
Thankful and grateful that God chose you to be my dad.  May you rest  in paradise my angel.  Love you dad.

On behalf of the Robert "Bobby" Saavedra family we would like to take this time to share our condolences to the Zubia family. My dad's coach on the Rosas team & Buena Vista family. God has welcomed you home.

My condolences to family. From Pepe Ramirez and Family.  Buena Vista friend. May you rest in peace.

My condolences to family. From your friend pepe ramirez and family. Buena Vista neighborhood friend. Rest in Peace.

I love you grandpa and you will forever be in my heart and prayers. I miss you and I wish I spent more time with you in the past years. God called you Home and you are resting.

OBITUARY

Roberto Zubia Jr.

November 16, 1943 – January 11, 2018

Funeraria Del Angel Hillcrest West

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services