Paul R. Zavarella

Paul R. Zavarella, 69, of Plum died Saturday (March 30, 2002) in Plum.

He was born April 10, 1932, in Pittsburgh. He was a 1953 graduate of Allegheny College and a 1956 of the University of Pittsburgh Law School. Mr. Zavarella was a judge, elected to the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas in 1973. He served in the criminal, civil and orphans court divisions, serving as president judge from 1989 to 1994 and administrative judge of orphan court. He was solicitor for the Plum Borough School District from 1958 to 1974 and for Allegheny County from 1959 to 1974 where he also was deputy register of wills. He was a member and past president of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges Association and the National Conference of Metropolitan Courts, a member of the National College of Probate Judges, Law Club of Pittsburgh, American Inns of Court, Pennsylvania Society, American Justinian Society for Jurists, Academy of Trial Lawyers, the Attorney General's Task Force on the Elderly, Chief Justice's Comprehensive Educational Committee, the Joint State Government Commission Task Force and Advisory Committee on Descendants' Estates Laws for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania and Allegheny County Bar associations, where he was charter member of the Fellows Program. He also was a member of the Rivers Club, Hyannis Yacht Club, Slovenian Association, Elks and Moose. Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline Heinz Zavarella; a son, Paul D. Zavarella of Plum; two daughters, Ann Z. Irvin of Aspinwall and Margaret Rice of Fox Chapel; and a sister, Anna Marie Vayansky of Donora. He also is survived by five grandchildren, Gretchen M. Zavarella, Sarah A. Irvin, Caroline A. Irvin, David L. Rice and Matthew P. Rice; several nieces and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his parents. Family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in MAURICE L. KNEE, LTD., FUNERAL HOME, 7663 Saltsburg Road, Plum (across from S&T Bank). Christian Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in St. John the Baptist Church, Plum. Private burial will be in Plum Creek Cemetery, Plum. The family suggests memorial contributions may be made to the Judge Paul R. Zavarella Scholarship Fund, care of Allegheny College, Meadville, PA 16335-3902 or the Center for Autism Research, University of Pittsburgh, care of Dr. Nancy Minshew, 3811 O'Hara St., Sutie 430, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 in the name of his grandson, Matthew P. Rice.f