HAVERHILL: Arnold G. “Tom” Zins, 82, died Sunday, March 30, 2014 in the Merrimack Valley Hospice House. He was the devoted husband of the late Mary V. (Murphy) Zins who died in 2012.
Born in Haverhill on August 28, 1931, he was the son of the late Charles E. and Mildred (O’Shea) Zins. He was a lifelong resident of Haverhill and a graduate of Haverhill High School. He also attended Governor’s Academy in Byfield and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching from Amherst College. A U.S. Navy veteran of the Korean War, he proudly served our country as a Lieutenant, Junior Grade from 1955 until he was honorably discharged in 1958.
Tom was a well known and loved math teacher for thirty-two years at Pentucket Regional High School, where he was head of the Math Department. He was also a past president of the Teacher’s Union. After retiring from teaching he worked for the Internal Revenue Service as a mail clerk.
He played baseball during high school and his talent did not go unnoticed as he was drafted by the Milwaukee Braves and played in the Minor Leagues for the Boise Braves in Idaho. He shared his passion for baseball as the coach for Pentucket Regional High School and in doing so, his team won several championships. He also played men’s softball for many years at Haverhill Stadium. Those who knew Tom considered him to be one of the best players they ever saw.
His family has many cherished memories of their camping trips to Sebago Lake and Pawtuckaway State Park. After retiring he and Mary spent their summers in York, Maine. He enjoyed tinkering in his vegetable and flower gardens and on rainy weekends he would take his children to the school gym to spend time with them.
Tom was a devoted and caring husband, father and grandfather. He was a genuine, good person who had nothing bad to say about anyone and was also known for his sense of humor. Though not here on earth, he will always be an integral part of his family.
He is survived by his four children, Deborah E. Henegan of Newton, NJ, Steven T. Zins of Haverhill, Edward B. “Ted” Zins and his wife, Christine of Methuen and William D. Zins and his wife, Jennifer of Deltona, FL; thirteen grandchildren, Patricia L. Henegan, Erin E. Henegan, Jeremy D. Henegan, Zachary M. Zins, Alexander Zins, Arianna Gonzalez, Jessica C. Zins, Rachel C. Zins, Lily M. Zins, Brianna M. Zins, Danny Zins, Jacob Zins and Ashley Jeffcoat and many nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his son, Michael C. “Bucky” Zins and his siblings, Frederick, Leonard, Janet and Marilyn “Molly.”.
A funeral Mass for Tom will be celebrated on Thursday in the St. John the Baptist Church, 114 Lincoln St., Haverhill at 10 a.m. Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday in the Linnehan-Grondin Funeral Home, 129 Kenoza Ave., Haverhill from 4 – 8 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. Interment will be privately held in the Walnut Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in Tom’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.