Brigadier General John (Jack) J. Zito, USAF Retired, passed away peacefully on September 4 surrounded by his family. Jack was born in Troy, NY on March 25, 1928, the only child of Damian Zito and Margaret O’Connor. Orphaned at age 5, he was raised by loving extended family members. Jack was forever indebted to them for their kindness and support. Jack graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, NY where he participated in the Civilian Air Patrol. Immediately upon graduation, he enlisted in the Marines and served at the end of WWII and the Korean Conflict. The story goes that as Jack sat in a cold, muddy foxhole in Korea, he viewed air support in the skies above and vowed to become a fighter pilot. Returning stateside from Korea, Jack attained his private pilot’s license and worked at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation in Schenectady, NY while attending Sienna college night classes.
Jack married Edna Castle of Wynantskill, NY in 1951. The couple moved to Miami where he attended the University of Miami on the GI Bill graduating with a BA in Business in 1955. However, prior to graduation, he seized the opportunity to enroll in flight school with the Florida Air National Guard (FANG). He pursued advance training at Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX and Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ flying F-84s.
Jack returned to Florida to serve with the FANG. In 1960, he was hired by Northeast Airlines, which was later acquired by Delta. Jack flew as an airline captain for 28 years while also serving in the New Hampshire Air National Guard(NHANG). He was affectionately known as “Zip” by his fellow NHANG comrades at Grenier Field in Manchester and later Pease Air Field in Greenland.
A veteran of three wars, Jack served during WWII, the Korean Conflict and was active duty for the Cold War and Vietnam. He served as a command pilot with more than 9,000 hours military flying time in 10 types of aircraft! In 1981, Jack was promoted to Brigadier General and in 1985 assigned as Mobilization Assistant to the 12th Air Force Commander, headquartered at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX.
Jack attended Air War College in 1976 and Defense Strategy Seminar in 1979. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in 1979. He considered himself most fortunate that his vocation was his avocation. He was an avid float plane pilot and participated in many fly-ins. Great memories were made on annual float plane trips to a remote fishing camp in Northern Quebec with fishing buddies. Recognizing only Jack’s military and commercial flying time, he accumulated nearly 40,000 flight hours – truly a remarkable achievement.
Throughout his lifetime, Jack served on several boards of directors but was most proud of his role in establishing the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. He was a strong proponent of education and often told his children that their education was “something no one could ever take away from you.” Modeling this, he attended language school in Italy in his 70s!
Jack is survived by Edna, his loving wife of 65 years, and four children: Lynn Fawcett of Chester, NH, Gregory of Austin, TX, Shawn (married to Marcia Fanaras) of Weare, NH and Kimberly Pillsbury (married to Steven Pillsbury) of Oakhurst, NJ. His grandchildren are Tamara Fawcett Rhodes (Harrisburg, PA), Courtney Fawcett Joyner (Kernersville, NC), Rory Fawcett (Lowell, MA), Tanner Zito and Haley Zito (Weare, NH) and Samantha Pillsbury and Nicholas Pillsbury (Oakhurst, NJ). His first great-grandchild is expected in October.
Jack Zito believed he was most blessed to have so many good people touch his long life. He was a man dedicated to God, country, family and friends. He lived by his values, instilled them in his children and was gracious to all. He will be remembered for his gregarious personality.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the NH State Veterans Cemetery Association are appreciated in honor of Jack’s legacy as a veteran. Please send donations to PO Box 626, Concord, NH 03302 earmarked “Veterans Heritage Learning Center” or online at https://nhvca.org/donate
Visiting hours were held at the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry on Thursday, Sept. 8th from 5-8pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Derry, NH on Friday, Sept. 9th at 12:00pm. A private family burial with full military honors followed at the NH State Veterans Cemetery.