Yo! Jasper “Jay” Zappa of Greenwood passed away on Sept. 13, 2024. He was born on Nov. 8, 1936, in Wood River, IL, the son of the late Julius and Sarah Zappa.
Jay had many hobbies including bowling, word puzzles, square dancing (where he met his wife), and he loved landscaping and mowing his lawn, but most of all he loved his family and getting to spend time with his grandchildren. Jay loved to travel and with his wife they visited over 30 different U.S. states including Hawaii, California, and Alaska. He was a member of The Knights of Columbus, and he belonged to L.I.U.N.A. (Laborers’ International Union of North America). Jay was a laborer for most of his life, but he enjoyed his retirement. Jay was a friendly man, and he always made his presence known wherever he went. His first car was a 1939 Ford that he bought for $50, and from there on he was a Ford man.
Jay is survived by his wife of 24 years, Madeline “Lynn” Zappa; two sons, Mark Zappa and Kevin Zappa; daughter, Saralynn Card (Bob); stepson, Peter Gribbin; stepdaughter, Dorothy Gribbin; eight grandchildren, Alicia, Jared, Shane, Steven, Tyler, Justin, Meredith, and Charlotte; great-grandchildren, JJ, Logan, Hudson, and Jake. He is also survived by his sister, Angie Gallacci (Jim), as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ross Zappa, Phil Zappa, Tony Zappa, and Joe Zappa, and his first wife, Elsie Zappa.
A memorial service in Delaware will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m., where friends may visit starting at 6 p.m. at Cranston Funeral Home, 300 Shipley Street, Seaford, DE.
A memorial service in New Jersey will be held on Thursday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m., where friends may visit starting at 6 p.m. at Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, Newton, N.J.
To leave a condolence visit www.cranstonfuneralhome.com.