John R. “Zip” Zanin, 94, of Housatonic died Tuesday, Sept. 5, at home surrounded by his loving family. Zip was born May 23, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Bartolo and Anna (Dotto) Zanin. He was a graduate of Putnam Technical School in Chicago. After high school Zip proudly served in the U.S. Navy with the Seabees during World War II in the Pacific. Zip worked as an electrician for Rising Paper Mill, Barrington Electric and Berkshire Hills Regional School District, and was the wire inspector for the Town of Great Barrington for many years–he was the longest serving town officer in Berkshire County. Zip’s wife Jacquleine “Jackie” (Gibbons) Zanin – whom he married June 1, 1946, at Corpus Christi Church in Housatonic – predeceased him on April 16, 2007. Zip was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Blackhawks and Monument Mountain basketball.
Zip is survived by his son, Michael Zanin and wife Sara of Housatonic; granddaughters Heather Cross and husband Robert of Rehoboth, Robyn Aloisi and husband Jeffrey of New Marlborough, and Bethany Kelly and husband Matthew of Somerset; grandsons Brian Zanin and wife Monica of Stockbridge and David Zanin of Great Barrington; step-grandsons Timothy Andenmatten and wife Natasha of Adams, Mark Andenmatten and wife Ana of Jacksonville, Florida, Joseph Andenmatten and wife Annie of Arvada, Colorado, and Stephen Andenmatten and wife Emily of Brooklyn, New York; 12 great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; nephew Patrick Ramsay and wife Debra of South Egremont; nieces Terry Lee Driscoll and husband Kenneth of Orleans, Laurie McConnel and husband Terry of Miami, Florida, and Colleen Ramsay of Lenox; and several grand-nieces and -nephews. In addition to his wife, John was predeceased by his son Thomas J. Zanin on Nov. 27, 2006.
In keeping with Zip’s wishes, all services are private and there are no calling hours. Services are entrusted to BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Zip’s memory may be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires or VNA in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
