Joel Zarro

Gioele (Joel) Zarro passed away on April 25, 2023 at the age of 91 in St. Charles, Missouri. He was born on April 18, 1932 in Jeannette, Pennsylvania to Amato and Maria (Iuliano) Zarro. He was a United States Army Veteran, having served from 1951 to 1953, including a tour on the frontlines in Korea. Joe was a faithful and devoted husband. He was married to Catarina (Catherine Asaro) Zarro on October 17, 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri. Together, they built a beautiful life.

Joe held many jobs in his life ranging from summer work for Barnum and Bailey’s Circus in Indianapolis to serving hotdogs at the Indy 500 (where he served Clark Gable a hotdog); working as a Press Operator for Western Electric Company; managing operations at Wonder Bread in St. Louis; and building many homes in Ferguson, Florissant, and St. Charles as a Contractor.

Joe could usually be found singing duets in church with his wife, Cathy, accepting trophies for “Most Strikeouts” in church softball leagues, watching Cardinals games, or sitting around the table telling stories with friends and family. He was well loved for chuckling aloud while telling his own jokes. Cathy often laughs of their time together saying that she could never predict what Joe would come up with next, where they would move next, or what he would get them into next. But whatever they did, they always did it together - side by side, firm in their faith in Christ, and making everyone around them feel incredibly special (and full of pasta).

Joe was preceded in death by his daughter Patricia Ann Zarro; his parents Reverend Amato and Maria (Iuliano) Zarro; and his siblings Antonette (Fred) Masuccio, Mary (Mike) Trapasso, Sue (Gil) Curtis, Carmella (George) Breeding, Salvatore (Mary Lou) Zarro, and twins Elias (Linda) Zarro and Esther Zarro (Bill) Brocksiek.

Joe is survived by his wife of 69 years, Cathy; his children David Amato (Gail) Zarro, Debra Lynn (Larry) Borth, and Joel Anthony (Hope) Zarro; his grandchildren Michael Gage, Daniel (Amanda) Borth, Jeana (Jonathan) Bigelow, Julia (Jeremy) Tam, Suzanne (Jordan) Marsh, Annie Zarro, Joel Zarro, Adam Zarro, and Sam Zarro; and his great-grandchildren Etta Bigelow, Phineas Bigelow, Judah Bigelow, Abel Bigelow, Amissa Bigelow, Abigail Bigelow, Julianna Bigelow, Enoch Bigelow, Joshua Bigelow, James Gage, Piper Borth, Hazel Borth, Lily Borth, Ava Tam, and Harper Aubuchon.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 30 at 4:00pm at Grace Assembly of God.

Grace Assembly of God

13605 New Halls Ferry Road

Florissant, MO 63033

“. . . but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles, they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alexanderstlouis.com for the Zarro family.