Richard B. Zayas

Richard B. Zayas BELLOWS FALLS – Richard Bernard Zayas, age 75, of Bellows Falls, VT, passed away in the comfort of his home surrounded by family on Wednesday, July 6th after a courageous battle with cancer. Born June 27, 1947 in Bridgeport, CT, he was the son of Joseph and Anna (Kohlar) Zayas, and foster child of Pompeii and Rose Sorrentino. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 50 years, Linda (Karkut), and is survived by his three sons and their families, Jeffrey, married to Amy (Coleman) and grandchildren Keira, Ethan and Zachary of Woodstock, VT; Kevin and partner Beth of Concord, NH; and David, married to Stephanie (Ciesla) and grandchildren Pierce and Maisie of Boise, ID. He was predeceased by his brother David of Zephyrhills, FL and is survived by his two sisters, Virginia Grant of Shelton, CT, and Joanne Hanscome of Conway, SC. After graduating from Bridgeport High School he enlisted in the US Army and served from 1967-1970, earning rank of E-5 Sergeant. From 1967-1968 he was deployed in Vietnam (Qui Nhon) as a multi-engine fixed wing mechanic and later served in Germany. Upon the completion of service to his country he returned to Connecticut where he met and married Linda Karkut in October 1972. Shortly thereafter they moved to Bellows Falls, VT where he worked for UPS, Yellow Freight, and APA trucking. He also served for several years in the Vermont National Guard. After retiring, he kept himself busy driving a school bus for Windham Northeast Supervisory Union. Richard was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was an extremely proud Veteran and Teamsters Local 597 member. Following the passing of his wife, he found love and happiness again with Judy Smith, who we are forever grateful for her unending love, devotion, support and compassion to the end. Nothing made our father happier than to see lots of kids around his dinner table, no one was ever turned away. No one left hungry and those who knew him will always remember the standard question of, “Did you eat?” He thoroughly enjoyed the simple things in life – a cold chocolate milk on a hot summer’s day, toasted tomato sandwiches, a steak on the grill and an ear of Vermont sweet corn. He volunteered his time to organizations in Bellows Falls including The Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball, and Project Graduation His passions included hunting and fishing, auto mechanics and working on his house. He would always say; be happy for what you have and never want for anything. He was always grateful for what he had and what he accomplished. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Richard’s name to Our Place Drop-In Center in Bellows Falls. A memorial service will take place at Fenton & Hennessey in Bellows Falls on Tuesday, July 12th from 1-3 pm, followed by a burial at Oak Hill Cemetery.