John S. Zoltek

1924 - 2016

WOONSOCKET - John S. Zoltek, 91, of Woonsocket, RI, passed away peacefully at his home on May 30th. A lifelong resident of Woonsocket. John was born on June 17, 1924 to Stanley and Mary (Kubicz) Zoltek. John is survived by his wife Ann, He has been her loving, devoted caretaker. He is also survived by his three children, His daughter Donna Barrie of Woonsocket and her husband John, his son John B. Zoltek, of Kalispell, Montana and his wife Amy, and his daughter Susan Taratuta of North Smithfield and her husband George. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Karen Watson, Brenda Abrants, Geneva Zoltek, Heather Branchaud, Steven Taratuta, Alex Taratuta, Kevin Taratuta and five great grandchildren. John was predeceased by his first wife Vivian (Ravenelle) Zoltek and his sister Helen (Zoltek) Southwick. He was a loving, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and a loyal friend. We will miss him dearly.
John was a World War II veteran and served in Italy during the war. He worked in city mills until he was named Physical Director of the Woonsocket YMCA. All of his life, John was a communicant of St. Stanislaus Kostka Church and was very proud of his polish heritage. Until last spring, John could be seen officiating volleyball at Gator's Pub on the courts that bear his name. Gator's has always credited John with the success of their league, and we are very appreciative of all that the McGee family has done for him.
John was best known for two things: his association with the Woonsocket YMCA, where he served as the Physical Education Director from 1964 until his retirement, and volleyball, where he became one of the true pioneers, greatest players, and promoters of the game in the history of New England.
After returning home from World War II, as a player and coach he led the Woonsocket YMCA volleyball team to 28 consecutive regional championships, yearly invitations to the National Championship Tournaments, over 200 US Volleyball Association tournament championship victories throughout the US, international tournament victories in the US and Canada, a National Championship in 1964, and a second-place finish in 1965. His teams were able to accomplish this because he bore the responsibility of raising the money to fund these teams.
He encouraged his players to promote the game and they became the head coaches and/or assistants at URI, PC, RIC, CCRI, and Barrington College. Those coaches produced players who subsequently became coaches at Queens College in New York City, Roger Williams College, and high schools in Woonsocket, Bellingham, North Smithfield, Coventry, Warwick, East Providence, and Cranston. Even today, the head coach at Brown, the head coach at Bryant and her two assistants, and coaches at Cumberland, Mount, and Bishop Feehan can trace their volleyball roots directly to John.
He promoted the game throughout his lifetime, running clinics and volunteering at local high schools in both Rhode Island and Massachusetts. To help develop local talent to a higher level, he started Power Volleyball Leagues in 1972 which he oversaw until 2013, and are still in operation today. He played in age-appropriate national tournaments until 2005 and refereed until 2014.
His efforts and achievements did not go unnoticed. In 2006, prior to the men's and women's finals of the USA Volleyball National Championships he was inducted into the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame. In 2008 before the women's collegiate finals of the national championships, he was inducted into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. His Funeral will be Friday, June 3rd, at 9:00 A.M. from the Kubaska Funeral Home, 35 Harris Ave. with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, 74 Harris Ave. Woonsocket, Burial will be in the parish cemetery. Relatives & Friends are invited. Visitation hours are Thursday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Kubaskafuneralhome.com.