ASHFORD, Conn., HAMPDEN and DIXMONT – Emery E. “Emmi” Zambo, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011, surrounded by family at his home.
Emery was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Anna. He is survived by their five children and their spouses, Emery and Laura Zambo of Ashford, Conn., Mary and John Calarese of Ashford, Conn., Judith and Fred Austin of Ashford, Conn., Joseph W. and Ann Marie Zambo of Ellington, Conn., and Laura and Scott Reglin of Dixmont; grandchildren, Jessica and Stan Benevente, Megan Zambo and Ryan Buck, Kristina Calarese, Freddy Austin, Joseph K. Zambo, Stacey Zambo, and Jordan Reglin; two great-grandchildren, Caleb and Elizabeth Benevente; several nieces and nephews. A special thank you is sent to Ashford Volunteer Fire Department and Pamela Chase.
Emery was born in 1930, in the Bronx, N.Y., where he attended the New York school system until June 1942 when his family moved to Ashford, Conn., to be near the Makray family. He lived in Ashford, Conn., until his death. He attended Ashford Academy, graduated from Windham High School in June 1947; enlisted in the Navy in November 1948 and served aboard the USS Orion AS-78 in Panama, the USS Gilmore AS-16 and SS407 USS SeaRobin, and served during Korean War; and he attained the rank of MRI. From 1946 to 1949, he played baseball in Key West, Fla., on the Squadron 4 U.S. Navy Atlantic Sub Fleet team and was active playing baseball in the local area upon his return. He participated in the Willimantic Jr. & Sr. Twilight leagues and Tri County leagues. He attended University of Connecticut and was active in the ROTC. Emery retired from Edmunds Gages Co. after 33 years. Emery and Anne were owners and operators of Ashford Dari Bar for 13 years. He was an active participant of St. Philips Roman Catholic Church and served on the church council. He also served on the Democratic town committee; Ashford School Association; Boy Scout committee; zoning board of appeals; board of finance; Ashford Volunteer Fire Department; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Willimantic, Conn.; and Knights of Columbus.
His family will receive relatives and friends 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Route 195, Willimantic, Conn. His funeral Mass will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Philip The Apostle Church, Route 44, Ashford, Conn. Interment with military honors will be after at St. Philip Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Philip Apostle Church or Ashford Volunteer Fire Department, Ashford, Conn. For online memorial guest book, please visit
www.potterfuneralhome.com.