Anthony Zanconato's Obituary
Anthony R. Zanconato, 81, formerly of Randolph, NJ, drifted away peacefully at home in St. Petersburg, FL on February 24, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Tony was born on March 7, 1941 in Newark, NJ. He grew up in Lyndhurst, NJ and was the only child of Anthony and Angela Zanconato. Everyone loved his Dad and his Mom instilled rich Italian traditions in hearts and bellies. Homemade Italian food would forever be a part of his life.
Tony played basketball at Lyndhurst High School and a cheerleader named Mary Ann Rubinich would soon become his best friend and wife. He graduated from LHS in 1959. Continuing his education and his pursuit to become a teacher, Tony attended Montclair State University and later received master’s degrees in both reading and mathematics. A magical first kiss in Tony’s family kitchen on New Year’s Eve sealed the deal and launched a lifelong love affair.
Tony and Mary Ann were married on July 11, 1964. His first teaching job was at Fernbrook Elementary School in Randolph, NJ and so these rebellious young adults, as perceived by their families, headed 35 miles west to start a new life. He served as Vice Principal under his dear friend, Rudy Katzenberger, for some of those years, but ultimately returned to his calling as a teacher where he served the Randolph community for 35+ years. He was honored with The State of New Jersey Governor’s Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1990. Teaching came naturally to him and he made learning fun. A notable moment included the time when his class participated in the stock market game and they won a trip to Princeton where they ultimately won the whole competition. Perhaps one of his greatest legacies was being one of the founders of the sixth graders’ annual trip to Stokes State Forest School of Conservation. Priceless stories from these trips became precious memories and highlights for so many generations in the Randolph school system.
His friendships with fellow teachers continued over all of these years, several of whom were still in touch during his last days. Not only did he teach, but Tony was a tutor, a mentor, and a coach of recreation soccer and basketball. He always referred to his students as his “kids” and continued to take an interest in their various careers and academic pursuits by actively following them online. He jokingly felt “forced” to retire when he realized he was teaching a child who was the daughter of one of his former 6th grade students. By this time, Tony had reached almost superhero status in the community as generations of families knew him. He left teaching at the top of his game.
Tony was a gentle man and yet effectively spoke out at Randolph’s Board of Education meetings. Advocating for students and teachers was something he took very seriously. His participation in contract negotiations benefitted all his fellow teachers.
Tony and Mary Ann had two children: Lynn and Michael who grew up and lived in the same home throughout their childhood. The family home was on a small cul-de-sac in an idyllic neighborhood. School-aged neighbors would poke their heads out to see if Mr. Z’s car was in the driveway on a snowy morning as this was an early indication of a snow day! Tony was Michael's soccer, basketball, and baseball coach as well as Lynn’s biggest supporter of her piano, track and discus pursuits. Game day competitions became off-field friendships for coaches and families.
Tony and Mary Ann visited Lynn during her year abroad in France. He joked that he had often dreamed of being in France with a beautiful 21-year old girl, but alas, in his dream, it wasn’t actually with his daughter! The couple also traveled to Jamaica, Italy, Croatia, Alaska, California, and more.
They moved to Midlothian, VA in 2004 to be closer to Michael where he and Michael played golf regularly together and where Michael introduced them to all of the hole-in-the-wall restaurants throughout Richmond, VA. They also shared a love/hate relationship with the Yankees, Giants, Rangers and Knicks.
When their only grandson, Ashley, relocated to Virginia in 2004, Grandma and Pop Pop would be a permanent fixture on the sidelines of his many soccer games. A highlight that Pop Pop shared with anyone he knew was how Ashley would run off the field after a HIGH SCHOOL soccer game to give Pop Pop a kiss! To Tony, family was everything.
He and Mary Ann were active parishioners, holiday decorators, fundraisers, and Eucharistic ministers at Resurrection Parish in Randolph for many years.
Tony and Mary Ann relocated to Saint Petersburg, FL in 2017. They enjoyed exploring the area and living downtown in a swanky high-rise apartment. He remained curious about so many things his whole life. He seemed to know several levels deep on diverse subjects and was great at trivia. He had met his match in intelligence with Mary Ann and their conversations would be as diverse as their many experiences together.
His timing in life was always impeccable. His knack for storytelling or finding the perfect joke for any situation was unrivaled. He told shaggy dog stories and ghastly groaners and could take on the persona of any character to make the joke that much funnier.
These last years presented some serious health challenges. He fought bravely and ultimately chose quality of life over treatments. This gifted all of us with an additional 13 good months during which he witnessed one of Aaron Judge’s epic home runs in person and celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas surrounded by his cherished family. He was very clear with his last wishes which were understated and thoughtful and his family was able to fulfill every last one. Our family is small, but somehow we all wound up together at the right time just as he would have wanted.
Above all in life, he was a devoted family man and is survived by his best friend and wife, Mary Ann; his daughter, Lynn, and her fiancé, Tom of Apollo Beach, FL; son, Michael of St. Pete Beach, FL; grandson, Ashley of Miami, FL; sisters-in-law, Rosemary McDowell, Dee Rubinich and Phyllis Rubinich; and grand-dog, Buxton, as well as extended family and dear friends. We honor the legacy of Tony, Dad and Mr. Z by simply being good people, good friends and good neighbors.
In lieu of flowers, the family is encouraging a donation to Resurrection Parish, Randolph, NJ at resurrectionparishnj.org or to any educators or coaches who, like Mr. Z, care for their “kids”.
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