Dec 15, 2021

Richard Alvin Zambarda, 82, of Follansbee, W.Va., passed away with his loving family at his side, at 4:49 p.m. on Sunday, December 12, 2021, at Select Specialty Hospital, Weirton, W.Va..

Richard was born on July 8, 1939, in Follansbee, W.Va.. He was the son of the late Alvin and Stella Baranowski Zambarda.

After graduating from St. Anthony High in 1957, he went on to serve his country proudly in the United States Air Force, serving from 1958 to 1962. Richard retired in 1994, after 32 years working at the Pentagon, in the Strategic Air Command, as a Decoder and Communications Relay Operator. During that time he was presented The Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, for his outstanding technical expertise and extraordinary service to the Department of the Army.

He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Follansbee, W.Va.. Many will remember Richard being a great musician. He was an expert accordion player, in addition to piano, organ, harmonica, guitar and clarinet. In his youth he was a member of the Sammy Harms Orchestra. He shared his love of music with his family and his nieces and nephews, entertaining and playing music with them at family events.

He enjoyed sports and was a lifelong baseball fan, cheering on the Cleveland Indians. But most of all, Richard will be remembered for his love of his family and the life he shared with them.

In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by his brother, Roger F. Zambarda.

Richard is survived by his sister, Marjorie “Dolly” Zatta and her husband, Charles, of Avella; a sister-in-law, Quyen Zambarda, of Kendallville, Ind.; five nieces and nephews, Karen Martin and her husband, Steve, Carol Brandenburg and her husband, Alan, all of Avella; Shawn Zambarda and his wife, Jen and Chad Zambarda, all of Green Bay, Wis.; and Mindy Zambarda, of Indiana; and many great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, with the vigil service at James Funeral Home, Follansbee, W.Va., 304-527-1717, where funeral will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, December 17.

Catholic Funeral Liturgy will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, December 17, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 1017 Jefferson Street, Follansbee, W.Va., with Father Jude Perera and Father Zach Galiyas, con-celebrants.

Interment will follow at St. John Cemetery Haven of Rest, Colliers, W.Va., with Military Honors by the United States Air Force.

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