James V. Zito Sr.

1924 - 2020

ZITO - James V. Sr., a WWII Bronze Star recipient, peace-fully passed away at his home in Plainview, NY, on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. His wife, Virginia, and his eldest son, Gregory, were by his side. Born in 1924 in Brooklyn, NY, he was the youngest of the six sons of Phillip and Teresa (nee Brennan) Zito. Effectively orphaned at age 13 in 1938 due to the untimely death of his mother, he spent the rest of his childhood under the care of his older brothers. When World War II began, his five older brothers were called to serve, and Jim voluntarily enlisted in the U.S. Army on his 18th birthday. He served in the North African Campaign, the Invasion of Sicily and the Invasion of Italy. He was awarded a Bronze Star among several other commendations, but he never spoke much about his heroic deeds. After the war, he returned to Brooklyn where he met the love of his life, Virginia Rufca. They married in 1948 and had four sons: Gregory, James Jr., Robert, and Jeffrey. In 1955, he moved his young family to a new house he had built for them in Plainview where he lived with his bride of 72 years until his death. He is survived by his wife; three of his sons: Greg, Jim Jr. and Jeffrey (his beloved son, Robert, passed in 1977); daughter-in-law Glynis; loving grandchildren, Brennan, Alexandre, Katherine, and Connor; sister-in law Elizabeth (Betty) Griffith; brothers-in-law Alfred Rufca and Richard Rufca; and many nieces and nephews. A private memorial service will be held in the future.