Former Westhampton Beach gym teacher David A. Ziparo of Swan Lake, New York, died on September 30 at his home. He was 58.
Born on July 7, 1951, in Syracuse, he moved to Westhampton Beach in 1976 and worked as a gym teacher at Westhampton Beach Elementary School and Westhampton Beach High School for more than 25 years. Friends recalled this week that one of his greatest achievements was creating the gymnastic programs for those schools.
In 1977, he joined the Westhampton Beach Fire department, serving actively for 21 years. Mr. Ziparo was vice president of the department for two years and president for 10 years.
Family and friends remembered his quick wit and humor; friends especially recalled his sense of humor, keeping everyone entertained on late nights during the annual fire department elections. Others recalled that he was a talented carpenter and described him as a skilled athlete, excelling in college lacrosse as a young man and more recently as a competitor in softball games.
Mr. Ziparo earned several awards during his service to the fire department, including honors for his outstanding service as he manned the fire department’s base radio and kept lines of communications open during a major fire. He was also the recipient of two fire police awards and one special award from former fire Chief Mark Raynor, honoring him for his 10 years of service as president.
He is survived by his mother, Geraldine Ziparo of upstate New York;a daughter, Jessica Ziparo of Maryland; a son, Judson Ziparo of Pennsylvania; two brothers, Mike Ziparo of upstate New York and Dan Ziparo of Florida; and a sister, Terri Mewhorter of Clifton Park, New York.
Firematic services were held on October 4 at the Follett & Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. Interment of ashes followed. An additional memorial service was held on October 8 at St. Daniel’s Church in Syracuse.
The Ziparo children also intend to host a “Bombardment,” or dodge-ball, tournament next year in memory of their father. Proceeds will benefit a charity to assist children suffering from depression.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat Street, Americas, Georgia 31709 would be appreciated by the family.
on Oct 7, 2009