John A. Zaccarella, NFPD Ret., 89, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away April 8, 2022 surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Niagara Falls on July 14, 1932, he was the son of the late Anthony and Catherine (Gravanti) Zaccarella and the beloved husband of the late Anna (Critelli) Zaccarella, who he married August 2, 1952.

John joined the army in 1949, during which time he completed his high school education and was honorably discharged in 1953.  He worked at the Wurlitzer Plant in North Tonawanda and went on to become a journeyman carpenter at Dupont from 1953 to 1961.  Mr. Zaccarella began his law enforcement career as a Niagara Falls Police Officer in 1961.  He was promoted to detective and retired as Chief of Homicide in 1981.  John started a new career as Security Supervisor at the NY Power Authority the week after retiring from NFPD.  He retired for the second time in 1993, after which he and Anna spent winters at their condo in Winter Haven, FL until she passed away in 2011.

During John's career, he was an instructor at the Police Academy, co-founder of the Police Athletic League (PAL) and was awarded numerous commendations while on the NFPD.  He was also a very active member of the Speakers' Bureau while at the Power Authority.  John was a member of the Moose Lodge in Niagara Falls for over 40 years, was a member of the NF Police Club, WNY Association of Retired Police (WARP) and the Niagara County Police & Judges Association.

John coached youth baseball through PAL when his sons played little league.  Every summer, he planted, tended and sowed his vegetable garden and the thing he enjoyed most about that was sharing his crops with family and friends.  He was always there to help someone with a home improvement project, handyman indeed; and his time, knowledge and workmanship was always appreciated.  While in Florida one winter, John helped dear friends build a new Dairy Queen, and one of the tools he left behind is still referred to as the "John Zac pliers".  He was an avid NY Yankees fan and enjoyed golfing year-round after retirement.  He was ecstatic when he got every golfer's dream, a hole-in-one.

Mr. Zaccarella leaves behind his loving girlfriend, Agnes Dombrowski, daughter Cindy Zaccarella and daughter-in-law Tami (Tom) McNamara, son Peter (Sue) Zaccarella.  He is also survived by grandchildren Nicole (Christopher) Huntington, Alicia (Todd) Vanderwalker, Nicholas (Kelli) Zaccarella, John (fiancé Miranda Maslanka) Zaccarella, Brooke McNamara, Michael Zaccarella and Michelle Zaccarella; great-grandchildren Jonathan, Michael and Carmela Huntington and Faithann and David Vanderwalker; siblings Pete (Mary Kay) Zaccarella, Rose (late Anthony) Gizzarelli, Dorothy (late Jack) London, Joseph Zaccarella and Mary Ann (Micky Maiello) Lansberry; brother-in-law Joseph (Gloria) Critelli; nieces, nephews, cousins and Agnes's family who also became John's family.  John bids farewell to retired friends and former co-workers who he enjoyed Tuesday lunches and Wednesday breakfasts with for many years. John was predeceased by sister-in-law Margaret (late Tony) Pedulla, mother and father in-law Pete and Carmela Esposito and his truly precious son John Zaccarella, NFPD.

Visitation will be on Tuesday April 12 from 3 - 7 PM at M.J. Colucci Son Niagara Funeral Chapel, 2730 MILITARY ROAD, NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304 where funeral services will begin on Wednesday at 9:15 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 AM in St. Vincent de Paul Parish at Prince of Peach Church, 1055 North Military Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304.  Entombment with Military Honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.  Visit mjcoluccifuneralchapel.com for online condolences.