Ernest Anthony Zappile, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, died peacefully on November 27, 2018 at the age of 94 at the North Carolina State Veterans Home-Black Mountain. “Ernie” was born in the Bronx on October 1, 1924, the third of four children of Enrico and Josephine(Genovese) Zappile. Ernie was predeceased by his first wife and mother to his three children, Frances, in 1989 and his second wife, Glenda, in 2014.
He was predeceased by all of his siblings and their spouses: Rocco and Esther Zappile, Edward and Louise Zappile, and Angela and Jerome Cocchiarella. He was also predeceased by his grandson, Ryan Uhre and his nephew, Michael Cocchiarella. Ernie graduated from Manhattan College with a degree in Electrical Engineering and served as one of the youngest pilots in the Army Air Corps during World War II.
He was a devoted husband to Frances for 35 years and together they raised their three children in Paramus, NJ. Ernie retired from ITT Defense Communications in Clifton, NJ in 1986. After Frances’ passing in 1989, Ernie moved to Asheville, NC and found happiness for 21 years with his second wife, Glenda.
Ernie is survived by his three children: Rocco and his wife Barbara, of Milford, PA, Patricia and her husband Glen, of Stuart, FL, and Edward and his wife Mindy, of Bloomingdale, NJ. He is also survived by seven grandchildren: Matthew(Julie), Amanda(Ken), Gregory, Edward, Christopher, Courtney, and Alex and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dedicated step-daughter and caregiver Donna Flynn and her son, Kaylan.
Uncle Ernie is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families including: Ronald and Arlene Zappile, Joseph and Rose Cocchiarella, Roxanne Zappile(Nick), John Zappile(Lois), Gary Cocchiarella(Michelle), and Dawn Cocchiarella. Their families include 18 grand nieces and nephews and several great grand nieces and nephews. Ernie was always ready to offer his advice and assistance to his family throughout the decades.
He loved to golf and especially enjoyed sharing golfing techniques with those who had the privilege to share the course with him. His enthusiasm for golf extended to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren when he would take them outside to work on their swings whenever he saw them! He also enjoyed cooking and was well known for his pepperoni bread, lasagna, and meatballs, which he shared with his family and with his friends in Asheville, North Carolina.
Asheville Mortuary Services is assisting with Ernest’s final arrangements. There will be no calling hours. A memorial service is being planned in the Spring of 2019.
Memorial donations in Ernest’s name are welcomed to the following charities: Department for Persons with Disabilities P.O. Box 2539 Oak Ridge, NJ 07438 or First Baptist Church 503 Park Street Swannanoa, NC 28778 or American Cancer Society: www.
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