John Zanengo, 87, of Bogart, GA died peacefully in his sleep on October 14, 2012. He is survived by his
wife, Barbara, his daughter, Susan Zanengo Beaudreault and son-in-law James Beaudreault, his son Robert, his nephew, Al Zanengo and his stepson, Jim MacKay.
John was born in Bernardsville, NJ, the youngest of four children of Italian immigrants. After high school, he joined the Navy and then attended Rutgers University and graduated with a degree in pharmacy. He bought a small drugstore in Watchung, NJ in the mid-50’s. Back then, he would fill prescriptions and wrap the orders for home delivery in brown kraft paper. This task served him well because in the ensuing years he wrapped all birthday and Christmas gifts with the precision of a surgeon. He used the absolute minimum of paper and only 3 short pieces of scotch tape; one on the top and one piece on each side. This might sound trivial, but it was one of the quirks that made John who he was. Speaking of quirks, John could pronounce ANY word backwards. It was a challenge to try to stump him; it never happened.
A decade later, he made the decision to become a stockbroker and for several years he juggled both careers. He would work at the brokerage house until 4:00PM and then change from his suit into his pharmacist’s uniform in his Volkswagon Beetle and then eat a peanut butter and butter sandwich for dinner before going to work filling prescriptions until10:00PM.
In the early 70’s John and his family moved to Bogart.
He loved working the land on his 20 acre spread. He also loved being in close proximity to a college town where he was able to attend a variety of sporting events at UGA. He and Barbara moved to Jennings Mill in 1989. His life revolved around golf, gardening, sporting events and travel. John was so pleased to get his son Bob and their friend JF to play in a round robin golf tournament. They didn't win, not even close, but it was a beautiful day and everyone had a great time. Oh, and karaoke! He even bought a professional karaoke machine and would sing to himself with gusto!
He became a member of the Board of the Coliseum Club. He was also a founding member of the Athens Invitational Golf Tournament.
One of John’s life goals was to visit Italy and he and Barbara got to fulfill that wish several years ago. That was one of those “trips of a lifetime” for him. In that same vein, his daughter and son-in-law had always wanted to take John and Barbara on a cruise. John never thought a cruise was something he would enjoy and would always decline by saying, “I don’t want to go on a DAMN cruise!” Well, Susan, Jim and Barbara finally wore him down and several years ago they took him on his first Caribbean cruise and he absolutely loved it; so much so that he went on 4 more cruises in the next couple of years. Another favorite trip was to traveling to Las Vegas for Susan and Jim’s wedding in 2002. He was so happy Susan had found such a wonderful man to marry. Jim says John was so happy he was galloping down the chapel aisle!
John will be missed very much by his family and large circle of friends and they are all so much the better for having had him in their lives.
The funeral will be held at the Catholic Center at 1344 South Lumpkin St. in Athens, GA on Tuesday, October 16th at 11:00AM with a reception to follow at the fellowship center.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Catholic Center at the above address.
Lord and Stephens East is in charge of arrangements.