Anthony John Zampella Sr.

Anthony J. Zampella passed away at the Bridgeway Care and Rehabilitation Center in Bridgewater on Thursday October 14, 2021.

Born and raised on George Street in the east end of Plainfield, Anthony was one of nine children of George and Olympia Zampella.

In 1952 he married the love of his life Rosemarie (D’Amore).  Having lived in Somerville and South Plainfield they eventually settled in North Plainfield for 40 years.  After retirement they moved to Phillipsburg, NJ.

Anthony enlisted in the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old and served from 1946-1949, attaining the rank of corporal. Upon returning home from the Marine Corps, he worked for Sherwin Williams and then WellBuilt Homes Company.  Working in the construction trade and learning his craft under the GI Bill, he eventually ventured out on his own and became a successful self employed general contractor for over 50 years.

He was a proud Marine and a long time member of the JJ Gardner USMC Detachment.  His hobbies included tending to his vegetable garden and a passion for building and flying radio controlled airplanes.  He was a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics and the Somerset Signal Senders R/C club.

Predeceased by his parents; brothers Andrew, Nicholas, Frank, Michael, Phillip; and sisters, Mary Martino, Catherine Toth and Dee Buono.

Survived by his wife of 69 years and their children Diane (James) Soriano of Somerville, Anthony, Jr. (Bess) of Plainfield, Douglas (Jeanette) of Viera FL, and Frances (Thomas) Clarke of Kingwood.

Grandchildren Meghan (Nick) Musumecci, Anthony Zampella III (Nicole), Kaitlyn (Jonathan) Price, Justine (Jonathan) Hickman, Michael (Lauren) Clarke, Allison (Ken) Clarke-Vaughn, Joseph Clarke, Jill (Michael) Mazewski, and Jackie (Jim) Tanner.

Great Grandchildren: Hailey, Lilliana and Noah Hickman; Dominick, Raffaella and Emiliano Clarke; Morgan and Wyatt Price, Axl and Ozzy Musumecci; Blake and Cory Tanner.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements by Scarpa-Las Rosas Funeral home, North Plainfield.  A funeral mass will be held at the Church of the Holy Trinity, Bridgewater on October 29, 2021, at 10 am. Entombment will take place afterwards at St. Bernard RC Cemetery, Bridgewater.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: North Plainfield Exempt Fire Museum, 300 Somerset Street, North Plainfield, NJ 07060; or St Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105