Obituary of John Zagari

John "Torpy" Zagari, 85 of Vineland passed away at home peacefully on October 25, 2013. John was born November 29, 1927 to the late Nicholas and Carmella Zagari. He attended Sacred Heart Grammar School and Sacred Heart High School, where he participated in varsity basketball and baseball. He graduated in 1946. John joined the army shortly after high school with 5 friends from Vineland. He served in the 7th Division, stationed in Korea for 18 months. He attained the rank of Tech Sargent. He was an instructor in the 7th Division Cooks and Bakers School. This is where he learned to enjoy cooking, a passion he had for the rest of his life. He was assigned as a cook for the Brigadier General in Easy Company 17th regiment. John worked at Automotive Parts, Strauss Brothers Tire and Russo Farms. He retired as a vice president with Armellini Express Company. After retiring he continued to work as a consultant for the S. Coraluzzo Co. until 2012. John served as financial secretary of Landis Country Club. He was Chairman of United Way Golf Tournament, Chairman and Co-Founder of the New Jersey Motor Truck: Delsea Chapter and was awarded "Man of the Year" at the annual Motor Truck Dinner Dance in 1983. He was also a member of Divine Mercy Parish (Saint Francis of Assisi) of Vineland. John was a member of the Cumberland County Recreation Commission for 35 years, serving as chairman for 15 years and a member of the City of Vineland Zoning Board for 25 years before he retired in 2012. One of his greatest passions in life was hunting with the Hickory Gun Club, where his father was a founding member. He was an avid golfer and member of the Buena Vista Country Club for 58 years of which he sat on the Board of Directors and served on the green's committee. John also planned annual golf trips for 24 men for over 30 years. He managed the Jaycees South Vineland Little League Team for 5 years. As a avid baseball fan, John also sat on the Board of Directors and umpired for 15 years within the league He is survived by wife of 64 years, Alvera (Gallo) Zagari, Vineland, NJ; daughter & son-in-law, Donna & William Cedermark; grandchildren, Carly & Corey Cedermark; sister, Gina Zagari; many, Nieces & Nephews; predeceased son, Ronald Zagari; predeceased parents, Nicholas & Carmella Zagari; predeceased brother, Joseph Zagari. Funeral Home Visitations will be held on Tuesday evening from 6 to 8 PM and Wednesday morning from 8:15 to 9:15AM at Rone Funeral Service 1110 E. Chestnut Ave. Vineland. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 AM in Our Lady Of Pompeii- Church St. Padre Pio Parish 4680 Dante Ave. Vineland. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery Vineland. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 Donations in John’s memory may be made to: Compassionate Care Hospice 518 South Shore Rd. Marmora, NJ 08223 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.ronefuneralservice.com