Phillip Zarrella

Sparks, Nev. Phillip "Doc Zeke" Zarrella, died July 18, 2008. He was a cherished husband and father, proud grandfather, loyal friend and brother, highly respected healthcare provider, veteran's advocate and long suffering Red Sox fan. The second youngest of seven children, Phillip was born on the 4th of July, 1945, in Brockton, Mass., where he proceeded to develop his work ethic and otherwise raise mayhem on his family's dairy farm. After a short stint in the seminary, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy (1964) and proudly served as a corpsman for the U.S. Marines with ECHO 2/7 during the Vietnam War. Upon his return to the states (1968), he married Twila, started a family and began what would become a 40-year career as a respiratory therapist. He made a career out of helping people and touching lives in Southern California, South Dakota and Nevada. A devoted family man, Phillip regularly boasted about his beautiful wife, three daughters and five grandchildren. And he never hesitated to brag about the two recent World Series triumphs by the Boston Red Sox, "Go Sox!" Phillip passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones. His memory lives on through Twila, his wife of 40 years; daughters ,Gabriella (Mel English), Danielle and Kristina (Keith Owens); the five jewels of his crown, grandchildren, Breanna, Cassandra, Anastasia, Juston and Zoe; sisters, Geri and Rose; brothers, Joseph and Peter; numerous nieces and nephews and dear friends; not to mention his devoted companion, Dakota. A life celebration for Phillip will be held Saturday, July 26, at 2 p.m. at Emmanuel First Baptist Church in Sparks, 1100 12th St. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the General Post Fund at the VA Medical Center, Reno, in Phillip's name, VA Medical Center, General Post Fund, in memory of Phillip Zarrella, 1000 Locust St., Reno, NV 89502.