Deacon George Henry Zarella, 75, of Venice, Fla., and Easton, passed into eternal rest surrounded by his loving family on April 15, 2021. He was the loving husband of Nancy Kelleher Zarella. In addition to his wife of almost 57 years, he is survived by his 3 children, Kimberly Sousa and her husband Gerald, George Jeffrey Zarella and Gene Zarella; loving brother to Robert Zarella, Mark Zarella and his wife Lisa; loving Papa to his adored grandchildren, Nicole and Evan Sousa, Georgia, Anthony, Claudia, Kayla, and Cecilia Zarella. George was also predeceased by his brother John Zarella. He was born in Boston, to the late George and Helen Ahearn Zarella. George joined the Air Force in 1964 becoming an Air Traffic Controller in the States, Philippines, and Vietnam. Honorably discharged in 1968, he was hired by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) where he worked as a controller, an instructor of the national and international air traffic program at the ATC Academy, then retiring as a Regional Manager in 1999. George became a member of Holy Cross Parish in 1981, faithfully serving as a lay minister, Pro-tem moderator of the First Parish Council, and Baptism Preparation and lector. George was ordained to the Permanent Deaconate in May of 1993. Deacon George so enjoyed the RICA program, story telling, Seeking God with Deacon George, Mom's and Tots, just to name a few. He so loved his Holy Cross family. He was also privileged to have worked as a Hospice Chaplain for Guardian Hospice and Old Colony Hospice. George also enjoyed golf, biking, coaching little league Babe Ruth and the great "Easton Cubs", along with umpiring minor, high school, and college leagues. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours May 6, from 3-7 p.m. at Holy Cross Church, 225 Purchase Street, Easton. Funeral Mass celebration May 7, at 10 a.m. at Holy Cross Church. Interment with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. In lieu of flowers, donations in Deacon George's memory may be made to Holy Cross Church, Old Colony Hospice, Tidewell Hospice, or the American Cancer Society. For directions or condolences, www.kanefuneralhome.com.
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3 Entries
The Haggerty Family
May 5, 2021
My heartfelt sympathy to all of you. I have fond memories of days long ago living across the street from the Zarella family. God bless you as you mourn the deep loss of George.
Verna (Vincent) Johnson
Neighbor
May 4, 2021
Mr. Zarella,
Sir, I would just like to say thank you for your years of dedicated service and sacrifice for our Country-first when you served with the USAF during the Vietnam War and later with the FAA. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.
Mike Casey
May 4, 2021
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