Obituary of Walter B. Zajo

ZAJO

Walter B., beloved husband of 63 years of Violette (nee Bouley), cherished father of Debra (Richard) Mollicone and Michael (Terrie) Zajo, devoted grandfather of Michelle (Jason) DeMasi, Rachel (Nick) Holcomb, Kristin, Andrew and Matthew Zajo, loving great-grandfather of Emma and Lily DeMasi and Walter “Wally” Zajo.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Balthazar and Mary Zajo and his brother Bronsilaw Zajo.  Walter passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, June 1^st at the age of 92. He was drafted into the Army Airborne in 1943. He was trained and parachute jump qualified in June of 1944. He was assigned into combat on Christmas Eve in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium, in 1944. He was reassigned for Operation Varsity, in the 17^th Airborne Division, the greatest airborne division in all history into Germany across the Rhine River. When the war ended, he was assigned to Berlin, as an honor guard at the Potsdam Conference. He returned to New York City for the victory parade on January 15, 1946 and was discharged 9 days later.  He was a graduate of the University of Rhode Island in 1950, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Walter was a member of St. Vincent Ferrer Church for over 30 years, as well as a member of the Blue Ash YMCA for 30 years and a member of the VFW Post 4369 in Sharonville. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, June 6^th from 9AM until the time of Mass of Christian Burial, 10AM at St. Vincent Ferrer, 7754 Montgomery Rd. (45236). Walter will be laid to rest at Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to St. Vincent Ferrer Parish or Hospice of Cincinnati, PO Box 633597 (45263-3597). Walter was a dear friend to the many people that he met throughout his life and he will be greatly missed.  He wants his legacy to read, “Let them know in my heart when my days are through, America, America, I gave my best to you”.