John P. Zangari, 90

October 19, 2014

John P. Zangari, 90, of Lancaster, died peacefully on Sunday, October 19, 2014, while surrounded by his family. Born in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Domenico and Mary (Cassido) Zangari. He was the husband of Eileen (Green) Zangari, with whom he celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary in September.
John served during World War II in the European Theater of Operations United States Army as an infantry replacement. After the war, he was stationed in Naples and Livorno, Italy before returning to the States to be honorably discharged. He spent 25 years in the Army Reserves and 10 years in the National Guard, retiring as a Master Sergeant.
John worked in the machine shop at Armstrong Closure Plant and Kerr Glass Manufacturing Corporation for 35 years, retiring at the age of 55. John also worked with his brothers in the pizza business before opening his own shop- Zangari’s South on South Prince Street- which remained in operation from 1977 to 1992. John tossed his last pie at the age of 68.
John was a devout member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, where he served as an usher. He was a lifetime member of the Mount Joy American Legion Post #185, Knights of Columbus #867, and the Lancaster Italian Cultural Society. John enjoyed taking walks on a daily basis always stopping to talk to friends and neighbors that he would meet along the way. He loved baseball, spending time with family, recalling fondly his visits to Baker Bowl and Shibe Park, and also was a passionate fan of Notre Dame Football with annual trips to South Bend 10 years straight.
Surviving in addition to his wife Eileen are: two sons, Philip A. and Paul E., both of Lancaster; three daughters, Sybil L., and Sylvia A. Buller, wife of Dave Buller, of Lancaster, and Sheryl M., of Silver Spring; a son-in-law, Dr. Stephen Gershenson of Colmar, PA; and five grandchildren, Jason J. Zangari, husband of Amy Hardeman, of Windemere, FL., Seth L. Gershenson of Baltimore, MD., Carl E. Gershenson, husband of Katie Cousins-Gershenson, of Philadelphia, PA., Kristy L. Buller of New York, NY., and Jill R. Gershenson, wife of Rodrigo Saldana of Montpellier, France.
John is also survived by five brothers: Dominic (Mick) of Satellite Beach, FL., Louis J., husband of Jacqueline (Fitzgerald) of Bausman, Ronald, husband of Marlene (Wiggins) of Lancaster, Benedict (Ben) of Lancaster, and Gerald (Gerry) of Lancaster; and a sister, Marie of Lancaster.
John was preceded in death by a daughter, Shona F. Gershenson; five sisters: Mary (Timp) Fetterhoff, Lucy Van Buskirk, Theresa (Tra) Terriman, Mary Angela and Mary Ann- all of Lancaster; and three brothers: Anthony (Tony) of Middletown, Francis (Fib) and Rev. Father Salvatore Zangari, both of Lancaster.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 24, at 11 a.m., at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 558 W. Walnut Street Lancaster, PA 17603 with the Rev. Michael Messner as Celebrant. Relatives and friends may call at the Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, 414 E. King St. Lancaster, PA on Thursday, October 23 from 6-8 p.m. and the Holy Rosary recitation at 7:30 p.m. A second viewing will be held Friday morning at the funeral home from 9:15-10:15 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will be in St. Joseph New Catholic Cemetery, Bausman, PA.
Special thanks to the staff at Lancashire Hall in Lancaster and Mount Joy Hospice & Community Care Center for their great care of John.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church or to Hospice & Community Care, 685 Good Dr. Lancaster, PA 17601.