It is with great sadness that the family of John J. Zangara announces his passing on September 30th, 2023, at the age of 92. He was born on November 3rd, 1930, in New York, NY, to Joseph and Margaret (Nicastri) Zangara.
John served in the US Army during the Korean War and attained the rank of corporal. In 1954, he married his true love, Marilyn Egitto, and they were lifelong partners for over 69 years. They left New York City for the then rural aspects of Wayne, NJ, which was new to them, to plant their roots and build their family together.
John had a successful career as the Budget Director at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City where he took pride in his role in the re-emergence of the Met as a cultural icon in the New York City landscape. From the Met, he moved on to work with his wife at The Cook's Attic, a groundbreaking gourmet cooking supply store they launched in Wayne, NJ, though his passion was more for eating the food than cooking it.
He was an avid tennis player at North Jersey Country Club. He loved dancing, especially the jitterbug. He retired with his wife to King’s Isle in Port St. Lucie in 1999. John often tipped his hat to his Italian heritage, which had deep meaning for him, by telling people that he always intended to retire to the Isle of Capri, ironically the name of the sub-development they resided in. While in retirement, John enjoyed various activities and formed invaluable friendships.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Margaret Zangara and his sister Dorothy Sheehan. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Zangara, daughter Dana Wood (Dylan), son John Zangara II, and grandson John Zangara III.
A viewing service will be held on October 8th at Aycock Funeral Home at 1504 SE Floresta Dr, Port St. Lucie West, Florida, starting at 1:00 PM EST. On October 9th at 10 am, there will be a mass service offered at St. Bernadette Church (350 NW California Blvd, Port St. Lucie West) starting at 10:00 AM EST. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude’s Children's Hospital (https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html).
John will be remembered for his zest for life and love of family. Through the friendships he forged throughout his life and in retirement, that became his chosen family, his legacy of kindness and selflessness will live on through those whose lives he touched throughout his many years.
A visitation for John will be held Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Aycock Funeral Home, 1504 Southeast Floresta Drive, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983. A mass of christian burial will occur Monday, October 9, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 350 NW California Blvd., Port St. Lucie, FL 34986.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.aycockportstlucie.com for the Zangara family.
