George Zatezalo
June 11, 1925 ~ April 8, 2011
George Zatezalo, 85, of Weirton died suddenly Friday evening, April 8, 2011.
Born June 11, 1925 in Weirton, WV, George was a son of the late Eli and Jennie Helen Merrick Zatezalo. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 55 years Nancy Lee Bosworth Zatezalo in 2008; two brothers, William and Sam Zatezalo; and a sister, Marcella Z. Begovic.
George graduated from Weir High School in 1941. After spending a year at WVU, he served in the US Marines becoming a Sergeant, where he completed a three year tour of duty flying missions in the Pacific during World War II. He earned his BS and MS degrees in Physical Education while performing with the WVU Gymnastics team at the WVU Field House. He continued to take graduate courses in mathematics at the College of Steubenville as he began his teaching career.
George taught as a graduate assistant at WVU in 1950 prior to beginning his career teaching math and chemistry in Mingo Junction, OH. During these years, his duties included driving the school bus and coaching football, wrestling, and golf until his retirement in 1979. He resumed teaching math in the fall of 1979 at Weir High School and assisted with coaching the freshman football team. He retired from Weir High School in 1989. The most rewarding part of his career was seeing his students progress throughout their lives.
His pleasures in life included golfing, fishing, gardening, refereeing basketball, big band music and roasting chickens and lambs over an open fire at the Serbian Picnic Grounds.
He was a member of the Holy Resurrection Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church, Steubenville, and the Serbian Men's Club.
He is survived by his sons, Steve (Sherry) Zatezalo of Weirton, WV, and David (Jo Lynn) Zatezalo of Wheeling, WV; his daughters, Susan (Mike) Toothman of Colliers, WV, Jenny (Robert) Morris of Charleston, WV, and Diane (William) Kopa of Weirton, WV; 12 grandchildren, Sara , Marie, Joe, George, Michael, Peter, Stevan, Katie, Molly, Susanna, Emily, and Benjamin; four great grandchildren, Haley, Cash, Myah and Alex; and a brother, Nick (Bessie) Zatezalo of Weirton.
Visitation will be 6-8 PM Sunday and 2-4 & 6-8 PM Monday with a Pomen service at 7 PM at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV.
Visitation will also be held at 10 AM Tuesday prior to the funeral service at 11 AM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home.
V. Reverend Fr. Rade Merick will preside.
Interment will be at the Serbian Cemetery, Weirton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the George Zatezalo Memorial Scholarship Fund via the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home.
Funeral Home:
Greco Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV
US 26062
George will be missed by many people in our area. He was a gentle role model for all five of our children as they worked with him at the picnic grounds. Our condolences go out to all his family.
Steve, Sherry, Emily and the Zatezalo family. We are so sorry for your loss. George and Nancy were good friends and Neighbors when we lived on Willow St. Both were so kind and friendly. We loved them both. God give you peace and comfort. Love and prayers, Clarence and Norma Cost
Dear Steve, Sherry & Emily, We express our deepest sympathy for your loss, and am keeping you in our thoughts & prayers. Sincerely, Mike & Marlene Runkel
Family of George, Sorry to learn of the loss of your DAD . I refereed many basketball games with George. Not only was he a great official but he had fun doing it. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. sincerely Jerry Hamill
It takes a village to raise a child.George and Nancy were part of my village. Thank you for sharing your parents with all of us who grown up on Marhsa St because we are all better people for it. My deepest smypathy. Janice Love Figola
Susie,David,Steve,Jenny and Dundee I am so sorry to hear about George. He was an awesome man. I am honored that I grew up with him. I am sure he will be taking care of God’s garden with my dad. May God be with all of you in this sorrow time.
My Sympathies to the family of Mr. Zatezalo. He was my high school teacher at Mingo High. He was my biology teacher but still helped me to understand my math during many study halls. His patience gave me the math grades I needed to get into college. I used many of his tricks to teach the special ed. students I had in later years. His many virtues live on in some many of us. Not only was he my outstanding teacher, but he helped produce so many good people through his example, character, and patience. Class of 58. God bless you all,Mary Rose Lorenc
So sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He now walks with the angels. My thoughts and prayers are for all of you.
Mr. Zatezalo will live forever in the memories of all of us who knew him and the hearts of all of us who loved him. My teacher, mentor,friend and the only person who got away with calling me ‘Mary Jane’. While he made me great at math, I do not have the writing skills to put into words how much he meant to me. I can only imagine how much his family will miss him.
The class of 1960 (MHS) got to see Mr. Z last year at our reunion. It was a privilege to see him. say hello and talk over old times. We as a class will miss him. He was a mentor, friend and teacher. God be with his family.
Dan and I send out prayers to the Zatezalo family… We love you … Emily Mead
Memories Eternal
Deepest sympathies on the loss of your Dad. He is dancing with Aunt Nancy and my Pop in heaven…
Grandpa George was one in a million. He had a wonderful family, which I talked to him about the last time we spoke (which was Thursday). God bless you all. Love ya!
Mr. Zatez was my all time favorite teacher and a large influence in my life — I became a math teacher myself in large part because of him, I just wish I could have been as good a one as he was… I will never forget the twinkle in his eyes and the huge smile that was always on his face. He will be missed.
I was very sorry to hear about Mr. Zatezalo. He was a great teacher, excellent coach and just a great guy to be around. I’ll miss him. Rest in peace.
I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Zatezalo. He was very instrumental for the graduating class of 1960. We were very fortunate to have him attend our 50th class reunion this past year. I will truly miss him, as a great teacher and great coach. Some of my fondest memories revolve around Mingo High School, and the genuine care he had for all of the students he has mentored over the years…………… He will now be at the great picnic in heaven, roasting lambs and chickens. God bless you Coach. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the Zatezalo family; This great man of God will be missed by many. Jay & Barbara Bellopatrick
Please accept my condolences for your loss. God is in control of all of your sorrow and grief. How great that your Dad, George Zatezalo is numbered with the saints in heaven. I am praying for all of you. Be safe traveling.
My deepest sympathies to the family of George Zatezalo. I knew George as a football coach and instructor at Weir High. He was always such a wonderful man and I will miss him. RIP Mr. Z.
Sorry for your loss. Cathy just lost her dad this year so I know how terrible a thing it is for a daughter to lose her dad.
I am sorry for your loss. Many prayers to all those who’s lives were touched by this extraordinary man, Love you Emily. Coach L
Dear Dave, JoLynn and family: Bud and I just wanted to let you know that we are so very sorry to hear about your Dad. I am praying for everyone during this time. With Much Love & Hugs: Suzie & Bud xxxooo
We all loved him. He was probably everybody’s favorite teacher.
What a guy! I only knew him as a teacher for a few years at WHS, but I never forgot him. I think I still use a few of his “funny phrases” that he coined. My condolences to the family.
Deepest sympathy to friends and family. Cherish the memories and the good times that you had. God bless. Tim Coleman
David & Jo Lynn: I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Zatezalo’s passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Kim Bender Gillespie
Our deepest sympathy to your family. George is in our thoughts and prayers. He was very special to our family and will be missed.
Susan, Mike and family As I read about Mr. Zatezelo it is apparent that there is much to cellebrate in his accomplishments and contributions throughout his lifetime. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
May I address all the Zategalo family; my Father George Baltich was never more fond of such a wonderful friend. He loved George like he was one of the Baltich brothers. I don’t know if you know this, but, your Dad was in our parents wedding!!! My sister Dawn and I loved both your Mom and Dad. You all are so fortunate to have had such wonderful parents. I know you will miss them both greatly. Please accept my condolences and know that now the 2 Georges are roasting chickens together!!! Much Love, Lynn A. Baltich
Dear Dave, It is with a sad heart for you and your family that we send our condolences. Shared memories with your family will be the priceless treasures that you keep. “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” Leo Buscaglia Amy & Lee Carlson
Dave, Jolynn, and family, Sorry to hear of your loss. Praying for your family during this difficult time.
Steve, Sherry and Emily, We are all very sorry to hear of your loss and are thinking of you during your sad times. 10A/C staff and friends at Allegheny General Hospital
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your father.You are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep your happy memories close, they do help. I am told the pain will ease with time, I do hope so. May our Father in Heaven hold you in his loving arms. Jeanie
Jenny: So very sorry to learn of the loss of your dad. You know that you — and your family — are in my thoughts.
Thoughts and prayers from the King family to you all. We know through the Morris Family of South Charleston how truly wonderful your father’s influence will continue to be in the lives and characters of all his children and grandchildren.
I was so sad to hear about George. I loved his visits to the office and he will always be one of my favorite patients. He will be missed by many. My sympathy to the entire family.
My sincerest sympathies to the family of the best teacher many Mingo High students ever had. He was a gentle, even-tempered, caring teacher and coach and my personal role model when I entered teaching. The Mingo class of 1959 was fortunate to have George attend our 50 year reunion and to offer some nice commments about his days at MHS. We all enjoyed his being with us one last time. Everyone will miss him and will never forget him. Our condolences to the family.
Zatezalo family: I know you are feeling a deep, deep loss right now. Please be comforted that he touched SO many lives! I did not know the life he had led until just now. If I had known how many experiences he lived through I would have picked his brain more than he would have wanted. I will always think of him at the Serbian Picnic Grounds, his smile, his enjoyment of Geometry (how many people have that???), and his bow ties! God bless you all as he looks down with his smile and joy at what accomplished.
a caring teacher & coach, but also a wonderful person… i will always remember coach z.
Stevie,David,Jenny,Susie,and Dundee. I was so saddened to hear the news about George! So many memories growing up with your mom and dad as our neighbors. They were so good to us growing up and I am thankful for that and feel blessed to have known them. Hugs to all of you!! Diane (Barnhart) McCartney
My thoughts and prayers are with you all in the passing of your dad. He was so sweet with those crinkely, twinkely eyes and soft low voice. He was the best godfather a child could ever have. I have such wonderful memories of both of your parents and living on Marsha Street. They always made all the kids feel welcome and made me feel very special. Such a little pixie, Nancy was, with the biggest heart ever. And, she made the best brownies, ever! Farewell to my Kum George. I will forever keep you and Nancy in my heart. With sincere sympathy and love, Eloise Konchar Walker Nashville, TN
To Steve and Family: We were unable to attend the services and I wanted to express our condolences. Your dad will always have a special place in our hearts. He was so generous and kind and always seemed so happy. I will always appreciate his generosity with his time helping Drazen with his Math homework when Drazen was in gradeschool. I smile when I think of walking across the street to get Drazen on a Saturday night when he had wondered over to your Mom’s and Dad’s house and your Dad sitting there snapping his fingers to the Lawrence Welk Show. A Great Man that will be missed by all. You have our sympathy in this time of loss. God Bless. Danny and Drazen p.s. I’ll stop down and drop off our card.
One of the profound influances on my life. He taught me chemistry and coached me in football at Mingo High. I was so happy to get an opportunity to see and talk to him at our 50th reunion. A very special man who occupies a very special place in my heart.