Mario V. Zona

Mario V. Zona, 91, of Worcester, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016, surrounded by his loving family at Holy Trinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Mario is survived by the love of his life, his wife of sixty-four years, Virginia (Walkevich) Zona; two sons, Stephen Zona of Worcester, and Thomas Zona and his wife Kim (Gallagher) of Auburn; three grandchildren, Zachary, Carly, and Bradley; a brother, Richard Zona and his wife Barbara (Lorusso) of San Clemente, CA; sisters in law, Elaine and Bessie Zona; nieces and nephews.  Mario was born in Worcester, son of Prisco and Virginia (Merola) Zona.  He was predeceased by five brothers and a sister, Edward, Nicholas, John, Louis, and Rudy Zona, and Dora Basiul. Mario graduated from Commerce High School.  He retired from Con-Rail Railroad after forty years of service as a rail car inspector.  In addition he served in the United States Army and continued in the Army Reserves for thirty years, retiring as a Sergeant Major. He was active in his community, and served many years on the Hope Cemetery Commission, and was the Commission Chairperson for ten years.  In recognition of Mario’s dedication to the sacred grounds at Hope Cemetery, the City honored him by naming the new cemetery administration building after him.  He was a charter member of Worcester Vikings Pop Warner Football, and served as Treasurer for thirteen years.  He was a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, the Auburn Elk’s Club, and the Main South Post, American Legion. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren and he enjoyed golf, bowling, and playing cards. His family would like to thank the entire staff at Holy Trinity, for their dedicated care and support of Mario. Calling Hours and a Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, August 12, in Our Lady of Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester.  Calling Hours will be held from 10 a.m. until the start of his Funeral Liturgy at 12 Noon.  Interment will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to The Worcester County Food Bank, 474 Boston Tpke, Shrewsbury, MA 01545 or to The Building Fund at Our Lady of Angels Church, 1222 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01603.