February 24, 2010

Mike Zoppo died yesterday at age 78

Mike Zoppo, an accountant, former Board of Finance member and a longtime treasurer for the city's Democratic Party, died yesterday.
He was always pleasant to me -- not always easy for people in his position -- and always displayed real concern for his community.
My sympathies to his friends and family, particularly his daughter, former city Councilor Ellen Zoppo.
Here is the obituary:
Michael C. Zoppo, 78, husband of Mary Ellen (Tracy) Zoppo, died February 23, 2010 at Bristol Hospital following a brief illness. Born August 11, 1931 to Angelo & Rosa Zoppo, Mike grew up on the North Side and attended local schools, graduating from Bristol High School in 1949. He earned an accounting degree from the Hartford School of Accounting, and went on to operate his accounting firm for over 40 years. Locally, he served as the treasurer for many community organizations over the years including the Bristol Democratic Town Committee and the Cedar Lake Owners Association. He served as a member of the City of Bristol’s Board of Finance for over 20 years, and as a member of the St. Joseph’s Parish Finance Committee. He was a past member of the Bristol UNICO Club, the Bristol Historical Society, the Bristol Federal Hill Association, and St. Joseph’s Church. In addition to his wife of 44 years, he is survived by his daughter Ellen Zoppo and her husband Peter Sassu; his cherished grandchildren Michaela, Zachary, and Carson Sassu; his son Michael Paul Zoppo of Geneva, Switzerland, a brother, Joseph C. Zoppo of Bristol, and two sisters and brothers-in law, Jack & Patricia Mullin of Bristol and Jack & Paula Baker of Convent Station, New Jersey, and many other relatives and friends. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 PM on Friday, February 26th at O’Brien Funeral Home, 24 Lincoln Ave. Forestville. Funeral services will be held on Saturday February 27, 2010 at 9 AM from the funeral home to St. Joseph Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10AM. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made in Mike’s memory to two programs that he enjoyed greatly: the Boys & Girls Club and Family Center Rookie League baseball program, 105 Laurel Street, Bristol; or, the Bristol Historical Society’s Third Thursday lecture series, P.O. Box 1393, Bristol CT 06011-1393.
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Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great guy, served the city very well for a number of years as a Board of Finance member.

He will be missed!

Bill Stortz

Anonymous said...

Michael Zoppo, Dick LaMothe, Roal Erling and Jim Pryor were the Gatekeepers of the city finances in the late 70's and early 80's.

Peace, Michael.

Anonymous said...

Rest in Peace!

Anonymous said...

My dad, Dominic Valentino, considered Mike as his best friend. The two would meet religiously every Friday in Bristol for breakfast and their "guy time". They were true friends. Mike also happens to be the man to give me my first job as a secretary in his accounting office, back in the 1980's. He was a great boss with the patience of a saint, and a wonderful sense of humor. I know that Mike and my father are sharing some laughs in a booth somewhere in Heaven this Friday. God bless and condolences to Mary Ellen and the family. With Love, Paula (and mother, Mary)

Concerned Constructive Conservative said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

and what a tribute tonight - I would estimate over 500 people at the wake.

ez love said...

February 25, 2010 2:54 PM

1)patience of a saint
2)wonderful sense of humor

may I add:

3) great conversationalist
4) great friend
5) caring for family friends and community
5) loving person

Tough loss for our world.
RIP
Amen