Harry Zoccoli was born 3-28-32 in the Bronx New York to first generation Italian American Mother Rose and an Italian Immigrant Father Harry.
He had a very colorful childhood and early adult life.
In 1955 he was in a terrible car accident breaking his leg, crushing his right foot, breaking his pelvis, and rupturing his spleen. While at Fordham Hospital he met a young nurse Audrey and a young priest Fr.Jim Griffin. He was told he would never walk again but his tenacity both in his rehab and in his courting of his nurse proved successful. Months later after being discharged Fr Jim married Harry (on crutches)and Audrey. Together they raised three sons, Harry, Jim, and Tom in the Arthur Ave (Little Italy ) section of the Bronx.
Life's course changed for the family in 1965 when Uncle Tony from the Old Neighborhood, brought Harry, Audrey,Uncle Tom, the three boys, and their Dog Cindy, across the country to MICHIGAN in a Studebaker Station Wagon.
Once settled into a small house in In the Warrendale section of Detroit, they were blessed with another son Tony.
Harry joined Ironworker Local 426 as a Rodbuster working on many of the bridges being built across the metro area.
In 1968 the family moved to Garden City, where Harry became involved in Coaching Youth Baseball, Football, and Hockey, even though he could never get skates on his bad foot.
Harry also had a love of the horses and was a frequent patron of the local racetracks. When Detroit Racetrack had a pigeon problem He used his skill from construction to remedy their situation. For this Favor, he requested a job as a Ticket Teller, so Harry went from one side of the window to the other, working at all three Detroit tracks, Northville Downs, Hazel Park, and DRC.
In 1982 a friend from the track, Mr John Ross, a Traffic Exec at Oldsmobile in Lansing, said to him that if he had a truck he could keep him busy. Outbound Express was born on the Family Kitchen Table with one truck and one customer. Again he was told he would not be able to make it, but his outgoing personality and love of people as well as coffee and donuts brought him and his company more freight than they could handle. Many customers and employees came to Love SENIOR. He was active even as a driver of small van shipments until his early 80's.
The past few years he has lived at Westland Presbyterian Village with great care from the staff at Care Sync. His love of the Staff and his enjoyment of Old Movies on TCM brought many smiles to his caregivers.
He will be missed by many family, friends, working associates, and caregivers.
Beloved husband of the late Audrey. Dear companion of the late Deborah and the late Sue. Loving father of Harry III (Darlene), Jim (Vickie), Tom (Denise) and Tony. Cherished grandfather of Vinnie (Jackie), Dominic (Holly Wright), Carlo (Lena), Angelo (Hailey), Jessica, Audrey (Anthony) Tomashewsky and Michelle (Kristopher) Carfes. Loving great-grandfather of Brenna, Ellie, Marina, Giada, Alaina, Gavin, Garet, Ethan, and Zackary. Dear son of the late Harry and Rose. Beloved brother of the late Rachel. Cherished brother-in-law of Donald. He was very dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Visitation Friday from 11am until time of Funeral Service at 1 pm at the John N. Santeiu & Son Funeral Home, 1139 Inkster Rd., Garden City (Between Ford Rd. and Cherry Hill).
Memorial contributions can be made to :
The Transportaion Club of Detroit Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 400, Wayne MI 48184. 248-528-0808
Attn: Lori Morrow
