William R. Zolla

1934 - 2016

NASHUA – William R. Zolla, 82, of Derry, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016.  Born in Chelsea, Mass. on Jan. 29, 1934, he was a son of the late Ralph and Violet (Page) Zolla. Bill grew up in Revere, Mass. and attended the Immaculate Conception High School where he played football and made numerous lifelong friends.  He was a veteran who served several tours of duty in the U.S. Army working on missile systems.  After leaving the Army, he attended Boston University where he earned a BS in Engineering Management in 1961 and received an MBA from Northeastern University in Business Administration in 1966.  Bill held many prestigious positions in the business world, but the most important job he held was at Gibbs Oil where he met his loving wife of 54 years, Alice Looker of Lynn, Mass.  As newlyweds they moved into their home in Derry in 1962 where Bill believed in serving his community.  He held several positions in local government including Derry's Planning and Zoning Boards. He enjoyed serving in the Knights of Columbus and was awarded Grand Knight 1968/69.  Bill furthered his work for his community serving as NH State Representative for three terms.  Bill's sharp mind and wit will be missed, but the humor and laughter he left behind will continue to endure and boost the spirits of all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Alice of Derry; his son, Matthew R. Zolla and his wife, Cynthia of Arlington, Va.; two daughters, Lorraine M. Zolla and her husband, Mark Sollock of Phoenix and Dianne F. Zolla and her husband, Dana Perlow as well as two grandchildren, Sadie and Jonah Perlow of Plymouth Mass.; his sister, Lorraine E. Zolla of Revere, Mass. as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother, Ralph "Bob" Zolla.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Dec. 8th from 2 to 6 p.m. in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry.  

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 9, at 9:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Church, Hampstead Road, Derry.

Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sunshine Soup Kitchen, 4 Crystal Avenue, Derry, NH 03038 or to Community Caregivers of Greater Derry, 1-B Commons Drive, Unit #10, Londonderry, NH 03053.  

To send a condolence or for more information, please visit peabodyfuneralhome.com.