Raymond A. Zapor

Raymond Anthony Zapor ("Zip", to those who knew him) died peacefully, just shy of his 90th birthday on October 3rd, at the National Healthcare Center in Lexington, South Carolina. Born and raised in New Britain, Connecticut, Raymond was a 1952 graduate of New Britain High School, where he excelled as a saxophonist and led the band. He subsequently drove a city bus, before embarking on a twenty-six-year storied career as a corrections officer, first at Wethersfield State Prison and then at the maximum-security penitentiary in Somers, Connecticut, where he taught combatives and helped stand up the CERT (SWAT) team. Raymond had countless anecdotes from his time as a prison guard and delighted in regaling family with his stories. These included recounting numerous prison riots as well as time spent conversing with condemned inmate Joseph Taborsky.
Upon retiring from the prison, Raymond held a number of jobs, including working security and driving an armored car. Eventually, he retired fully and devoted his time to his wife and bragging about his children. Raymond leaves behind his wife of sixty-two years, Marsha Zapor (née Climan), three children, Mari' Schectman of Windsor, Connecticut, Scott Zapor of Lexington, South Carolina, and Dr. Michael Zapor of Kearneysville, West Virginia, as well as ten grandchildren.
Interment will consist of a small private graveside service in Connecticut. The family asks that anyone wishing to make a contribution in Zip's memory donate to the National Healthcare Center in Lexington, South Carolina or to the hospice of their choice.To plant trees in memory, please visit