Michael Zagata

Michael Andrew Zagata, age 78, of Espyville, PA passed away at his home on December 22, 2023. He was born on September 17, 1946 in Maple Heights, OH to the late Andrew Joseph and Victoria (Granatosky) Zagata. He married Marjorie Zagata on June 4, 1969 and although they divorced, they remained close friends until her passing on November 4, 2016.
Michael was raised in Maple Heights, OH and graduated high school from there. He continued his education until his death. He was a Vietnam Veteran and joined the US Army in April 1966. He served as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician until he completed his tour in 1972. He immediately enlisted in the USAF where he served as Training Instructor, On-base Supervisor, and Chemical Dependency Counselor ranking as a Tech Sergeant E6. He received numerous education, conduct, and Service Awards and Medals spanning his 24 years of service including Overseas Service Awards, Outstanding Unit Awards, Presidential Unit Citation, Expert Marksmanship Awards, National Defense Medals, Longevity of Service and more. After his retirement in 1991, Michael worked as a Chemical Dependency Counselor and GM of Radio Shack and CVS. He fully retired in 2000 and moved to Andover, OH then to Espyville, PA where he made many of the friends he kept until this day. His biggest love was golfing and he spent years as a certified golf instructor. He also wrote and published 3 books and continued to write a 4th- "Exploring the Correlation of Adoption to Addiction" - which was the name of his first book. He wanted to help other adoptees find closure and acceptance through overcoming abandonment issues while also helping medical professionals understand the unique situation of adoptees. He also wrote and published "The Instance of Separation" and felt his calling was to help others heal through understanding themselves. He was always seeking self-improvement and Spiritual Enlightenment. He was raised Catholic and was always seeking to improve his relationship with God.
Michael is survived by his daughter, Heather Williford of Winthrop, MA; two sons, Michael Zagata and James Zagata, both of Cleveland, OH; his step-daughter whom he considered a daughter, Christine (Picha) Filipelli of Lakewood, OH; 11 grandchildren, Jessica Berry, Brandi Burton, Jeremy Kozlowski, Devin Kozlowski, Michael D. Zagata, Amber Lukasiewicz, Raven Zagata, Andrew Nuske, Hannah Williford, Gabriel Williford, Issac Williford, Vincent Filipelli, Louis Filipelli and Tony Filipelli and several great grandchildren and many wonderful friends and loved ones.
In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by a daughter, Victoria Lynn Zagata.
Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday January 9, 2024 from 12-1 pm at Dickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 130 N. 2nd St., Conneaut Lake, PA 16316. Funeral service will take place at the funeral home at 1:00 pm with Father Kyle Seyler officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the family of Michael through GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/1657db96.
Please sign Michael's online guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dickson Funeral Home and Crematory, 130 N. 2nd St., Conneaut Lake, PA 16316, Rocco R. Tedesco III, Supervisor.