P. Terry Zaken
P. Terry Zaken, 64, of Washington, passed away Friday, April 12, 2013, in Veterans Administration Hospital, Oakland.
He was born July 11, 1948, in Hendersonville, a son the late Stephen and Julia Lazor Zaken.
Mr. Zaken served as lance corporal with the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War, earning the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal and the Purple Heart.
He worked as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for many years.
Mr. Zaken was Russian Orthodox.
He lived most of his life in Hendersonville and Washington. He was a former member of Bears Club in Meadow Lands, a member of White Eagles in Canonsburg, American Legion Post 902 of Houston and life member and former commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 191 of Canonsburg from 1994 to 1995 and 2010 to 2011. He was a life member of VFW Honor Guard and Western Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.
Mr. Zaken was an avid golfer, hunter and a loyal St. Louis Cardinals and Steelers fan. He was manager of his grandson’s Pinto Youth baseball team, who won the 2012 championship. His happiest times were spent with his grandchildren, who always called him “DiDi.”
On June 20, 1981, he married his beloved wife, Marlane Svitek, who survives.
Also surviving are two sons, Christopher Paul Terry (Heather Jenkins) Zaken of Houston and Todd Patrick (Jennifer) Zaken of Washington; three grandchildren, Camden, Hannah and Colin Zaken; three sisters, Valeria (Michael) Kelleher of Wilton, Maine, Bernadette (George) Halley of Lawrence and Stephanie Teatino of Hendersonville; an aunt and uncle; a niece, Jamie Svitek, who considered him a second father; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends are welcome from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in Salandra Funeral Service Inc., Joseph P. Salandra, owner/supervisor, 304 West Pike Street, Canonsburg, 724-745-8120, where services will take place at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, with the Rev. Joseph Oleynik officiating. Interment will follow at 10 a.m. in National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Cecil Township. Full military honors will be accorded by the combined honor guard VFW Post 191 of Canonsburg and American Legion Post 902 of Houston. To view or send condolences, please visit www.salandrafunerals.com.