JOHN PAUL ZIGMUND, 91, of Jackson Twp., NJ, formally of Nanticoke and Port Blanchard, PA, passed away March 6, 2015, at home with his beloved wife of 65 years, Ann, and his loving daughter, Maryann. He was born December 5, 1923, and attended Jenkins Township High School and enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor was bombed. He was assigned to the Destroyer DE170 and helped to protect supply ships from Nazi submarines.
After leaving the service, he enrolled at Wilkes College and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree. He then transferred to Ithaca College and earned his Master’s Degree in Health. Several years later he and his wife Ann (who he met on a blind date) moved to the Shark River Hills section of Neptune Township, NJ. Thet raised their children, Richard and Maryann, while he worked for Neptune High School as a physical education teacher and basketball coach. He touched the lives of many students during those years and was contacted many times by former students who wanted to express their gratitude for his guidance during their formative years. Walter Welle, a former student expressed his condolences on a Face Book page, Neptune Dearly Departed, that seemed to sum up many of the thoughts of John’s students, “He was beloved as a teacher, no scratch that, as a human could ever be. He was special. When my time comes, may I be remembered with as much fondness as Mr. Z.” He was also remembered for making students take laps, without question and his constant encouragement of students to do their best, “You can do better, it’s a can of corn?” A former student and family friend, Thomas Strauss, stated, “He meant a lot to so many of us whom he taught and coached. They are memories that will last a lifetime.”
Following his retirement at Neptune in 1981, he continued as a permanent substitute at Howell High School. He fully retired in 2003 at the age of 81, and he and his wife moved back home to Nanticoke, PA. They returned to New Jersey in 2014. John enjoyed all sports and often reminisced his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers Association as a pitcher, telling accounts at dinner. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles, cards and horseracing.
He was a devoted grandfather and influence in the lives of his grandchildren John of Philadelphia, Lauren of Orlando and Joseph of Hamilton, NJ. He is survived by his adoring wife of 65 years the former Ann Roman of Nanticoke, PA, and their two children Richard Zigmund and his wife Cynthia of Madison, WI, and Maryann LaPlante and her husband Joseph of Jackson, NJ, in addition to numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to the charity of your choice. The George S. Hassler Funeral Home, Jackson Twp., NJ is in charge of arrangements. For further information and to send condolence messages to the family, please visit www.hasslerfuneralhome.com.