Donald Lawrence Zagardo, 94, of Middle Island, NY and Newton Lower Falls, passed away November 4, three days shy of his 95th birthday, after a brief illness. The youngest of four children, Donald was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, graduated from Lafayette High School, and received both his Bachelors' and Masters' degrees from St. John's University. He also served two years in the US Army at Ft. Eustis in Virginia.

During his high school, college, and army years, Donald was known as an outstanding baseball player, playing in the Northern League before finally choosing a college baseball scholarship instead of professional baseball. Later, he had a career teaching at the Robert K. Toaz Junior High in Huntington, NY. In his retirement years, he and his wife traveled, owned a Bed & Breakfast Inn, worked political campaigns, golfed and rejoiced in every opportunity they had to spend time with family.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Patricia Leila Zagardo, his daughter Marian Morrison and her husband Richard of Falmouth and Watertown, grandson Joseph and his wife Molly of Winchester, granddaughter Julie Matthews and her husband Derek of Lowell, great-grandchildren Haley and John Morrison, and sister-in-law Joan Fields. He will be missed by his beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.
Donald was predeceased by his parents Stella (Mammana) and Angelo, his siblings and their spouses Vincent (Joan) , Frank (Ann) and Marie Giarrusso (Joe); niece Lori Zagardo Chavez and brother-in-law, John Fields.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday November 9, 2024 at 11AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Rd. Wellesley. Visitation will be held immediately prior to Mass from 9:30-10:30 at Burke's Funeral Home directly across from the Church.

Friends and family who are unable to attend the Funeral Mass in person may watch it via livestream at https://sjspwellesley.org/sj/live/

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donald's memory may be made to St. John the Evangelist Parish, Wellesley, MA or the Southern Poverty Law Center via their website at www.SPLCenter.org