Francis J. Zeronda

Zeronda, Francis J. DELMAR Francis J. (Frank) Zeronda, 92, died peacefully at his Delmar home on December 6, 2006 after a brief illness. Born on April 8, 1914 in Chicopee Falls, Mass., Frank moved with his family to Albany as a teenager and lived in the area for the rest of his life. After graduating from RPI in 1935 with a degree in civil engineering, he began his career in construction with an engineering position at the Works Progress Administration. For the next 70 years, Frank held various positions in the construction industry including terms as president of Cooley Contracting Company, F. J. Zeronda, Inc. and, until the day of his death, Florida Gulf Construction Company. During the years of 1965 and 1966, he served as president of the Eastern New York Construction Employers. Frank was very proud of the contribution that his firms made to the area and to the New York State, particularly through their excavation of the Empire State Plaza and their completion of sitework projects at the NYS Office Building Campus, the University at Albany and the College for Technology at Utica/Rome. Frank lost his beloved wife Eleanor Chriss Zeronda in August of this year. He is survived by his children, Elaine Stanton of Milton, Mass., Carol (Robert) Lashway, Kathryn (Robert) Kercull and Francis J Zeronda Jr., all of the Capital Region. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeffrey (Nancy) Lashway, Kristen (Jamie) Covington, Wendy, Jennifer, Bradford and Samantha Kercull, Jessica Stanton and Nancy and Catherine Zeronda; his great- grandchildren, Ian and Elizabeth Lashway, Kathryn and Caroline Grabowski and Avery and Olivia Covington; his brother, Alfred Zeronda and his sister, Carolyn Pisani. Frank was predeceased by a brother, Edward Zeronda. Friends may call Sunday, December 10, 2006 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar. Funeral services will be private and interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Frank's memory to the Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar, NY 12054.