NATICK: Charles D. Zicko, age 93, a lifelong Natick resident and World War II veteran, died peacefully surrounded by his family at the Miriam Boyd Parlin Hospice Residence in Wayland on Saturday, April 18, 2015.
Born, raised and educated in Natick, he was a son of the late Nisi “Dennis” and Atemisi (Stoya) Zicko. He was employed at the Charlestown Navy Yard prior to entering the Army in 1942. For the duration of the Second World War, Charles served as an auto body repairman on vehicles and tanks, first with the 505th infantry regiment in Italy and later with the 360th in Morocco, Algiers, Sicily, Naples, and ultimately Florence. While there in 1944, the 360th disbanded, and Charles’ battery, Battery B, stayed behind to illuminate roads and other areas that were inaccessible during blackout hours. Battery B became known as the “Artificial Moonlighters,” successfully continuing their mission until November of 1945.
Charles returned to Natick after the war and joined brothers Peter and Victor in the family business, Zicko Auto Sales. The enterprise encompassed a Studebaker showroom, a Texaco gas station, and one of the few auto repair and auto body services in the area. He married the former Emily Ann Carroll in 1946, and built a home in Natick where they raised their family. He and Emily were married 27 years. The Zicko brothers eventually sold their business and Charles went to work in the maintenance department of the Zayre Corporation. He very much enjoyed his time employed with Zayre’s and forged many lasting friendships with his coworkers.
Charles retired in 1988 and over the next several years traveled to Miami, Myrtle Beach, Williamsburg and Tucson, among others, to attend reunions of his Army Battalions. He enjoyed reminiscing and renewing friendships, and was particularly moved to set foot on the Queen Mary in Longbeach, CA, the ship that had transported him to Europe in 1942. He also traveled to London, where he loved seeing Tower Bridge and Big Ben, and to Paris where his favorites were the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame de Paris.
A true handyman, he was proficient with painting and papering and could handle any upkeep in or around his home. He spent hours at his workbench, gardening, or playing his accordion. Day trips with good company to Plymouth or Maine were favorites, and seeing the Patriots win four Super Bowls was just one more pleasure in his happy years of retirement.
He is survived by a son, Paul Zicko and his wife Patricia of North Tewksbury; two daughters, Charlene Zicko of Norwood, and Desirée Zicko and her husband John Archibald of Reading; two grandsons, Zachary and Dante; a great-granddaughter, Ava; a sister, Violet Canary; a brother, Philip Zicko; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Peter, Vasil, Victor, and Bietrie Zicko; and sisters, Marguerite David and Emaline Alexander.
His funeral will be held in the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common, on Friday, April 24th at 10:30AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Dell Park Cemetery, Natick.
Visiting hours will be on Thursday 4 – 8PM. Donations may be made in Charles’ memory to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 02852 (www.kidneyfund.org).