Obituary for (Ret.) Waltham Fire Chief Joseph J. Zammuto
(Ret.) Waltham Fire Chief Joseph J. Zammuto
Of Waltham, passed away peacefully Friday evening November 19th, 2021 with loving family by his side at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston at the age of 94.
Born on April 7, 1927 in Waltham; beloved son of the late Alfonso Zammuto and Josephine (Rodriquez) Zammuto. Joe was a lifelong resident of Waltham before moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody 4 years ago.
A graduate of Waltham High School in 1944; Joe furthered his education receiving his Associate Degree in Fire Science from Mass Bay Community College.
He enlisted into the United States Navy from High School and served proudly during World War II as a Fireman 2nd Class. He was honorably discharged from the Navy and began a career in fire service.
Chief Zammuto was appointed to the Waltham Fire Department on June 7th,1953. He was promoted to Lieutenant on October 27th, 1957. He was promoted to Captain on November 14th,1959 and served as the first Captain of the newly formed Engine Co. 8 on Trapelo Road in Waltham. He was promoted to Deputy Chief on December 28th,1975, and finally appointed to the position of Chief of Department on April 7th, 1990. He retired from the department on April 10th, 1992 after nearly 39 years of faithful and dedicated service to the City of Waltham.
Joe also owned and operated a house cleaning business and invested in local real estate. He was civic minded and always felt connected to the Waltham community at large.
Family was the most important aspect of his life. He was a devoted family man to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Work and family defined him during his working life; play and family defined him in his retirement. Friends and a rich social life were a constant throughout his life.
He loved traveling with family and friends and spent summers in New Hampshire and winters in Florida after his retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing bocce, tennis, and golf; he enjoyed swimming, bicycling, boating, and dancing. Joe kept busy with many things in his spare time, including reading about history and economics.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Leona Eileen (LeBlanc) Zammuto; his devoted & loving children Richard Michael Zammuto and his wife Julie of Canada; Sharon Lynn Zammuto and her companion Harry Ross Robinson of Methuen; and Sandra Jean Carboni of Florida; her cherished grandchildren Jennifer Zammuto, Justin Carboni and Vinne Carboni. In addition, he is survived by 4 adoring great grandchildren, 1 great great grandson, many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Loving father of the late John Stephen Zammuto, and dear brother of the late Peter, Raymond, Frank, Salvatore, Jennie, and Rose Zammuto.
Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service in celebration of Joe's Life in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody St, WALTHAM on Saturday afternoon Nov. 27th at 12:00 p.m. Interment with United States Navy Military Honors & Waltham Fire Dept. Honors will follow at Newton Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel prior to the funeral service on Saturday morning Nov. 27th from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Parking attendants on duty.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Of Waltham, passed away peacefully Friday evening November 19th, 2021 with loving family by his side at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston at the age of 94.
Born on April 7, 1927 in Waltham; beloved son of the late Alfonso Zammuto and Josephine (Rodriquez) Zammuto. Joe was a lifelong resident of Waltham before moving to Brooksby Village in Peabody 4 years ago.
A graduate of Waltham High School in 1944; Joe furthered his education receiving his Associate Degree in Fire Science from Mass Bay Community College.
He enlisted into the United States Navy from High School and served proudly during World War II as a Fireman 2nd Class. He was honorably discharged from the Navy and began a career in fire service.
Chief Zammuto was appointed to the Waltham Fire Department on June 7th,1953. He was promoted to Lieutenant on October 27th, 1957. He was promoted to Captain on November 14th,1959 and served as the first Captain of the newly formed Engine Co. 8 on Trapelo Road in Waltham. He was promoted to Deputy Chief on December 28th,1975, and finally appointed to the position of Chief of Department on April 7th, 1990. He retired from the department on April 10th, 1992 after nearly 39 years of faithful and dedicated service to the City of Waltham.
Joe also owned and operated a house cleaning business and invested in local real estate. He was civic minded and always felt connected to the Waltham community at large.
Family was the most important aspect of his life. He was a devoted family man to his wife, children, and grandchildren. Work and family defined him during his working life; play and family defined him in his retirement. Friends and a rich social life were a constant throughout his life.
He loved traveling with family and friends and spent summers in New Hampshire and winters in Florida after his retirement. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing bocce, tennis, and golf; he enjoyed swimming, bicycling, boating, and dancing. Joe kept busy with many things in his spare time, including reading about history and economics.
Joe is survived by his beloved wife of 69 years Leona Eileen (LeBlanc) Zammuto; his devoted & loving children Richard Michael Zammuto and his wife Julie of Canada; Sharon Lynn Zammuto and her companion Harry Ross Robinson of Methuen; and Sandra Jean Carboni of Florida; her cherished grandchildren Jennifer Zammuto, Justin Carboni and Vinne Carboni. In addition, he is survived by 4 adoring great grandchildren, 1 great great grandson, many nieces, nephews, and close friends.
Loving father of the late John Stephen Zammuto, and dear brother of the late Peter, Raymond, Frank, Salvatore, Jennie, and Rose Zammuto.
Relatives & Friends are respectfully invited to attend a Funeral Service in celebration of Joe's Life in the Mary Catherine Chapel of Brasco & Sons Memorial, 773 Moody St, WALTHAM on Saturday afternoon Nov. 27th at 12:00 p.m. Interment with United States Navy Military Honors & Waltham Fire Dept. Honors will follow at Newton Cemetery. Visitation will be held in the Mary Catherine Chapel prior to the funeral service on Saturday morning Nov. 27th from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Parking attendants on duty.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.