Francis Zavaglia

Mr. Francis Louis Zavaglia, 93, of Bardstown, passed away Tuesday, September 3, 2013 at the home of his daughter surrounded by his loving family. He was born December 21, 1919 in Clifton, New Jersey. His parents Angela and Joseph Zavaglia emigrated from Northern Italy. He was an organist, composer, conductor, arranger, teacher and business owner. He was awarded a scholarship to the Julliard School of Music, New York City. He was the organist and music director for 16 years at the Church of Notre Dame and four years at Corpus Christi church both next to Columbia University in Ney York City. He taught music at Seton Hall prep school and conducted the glee club at Seton Hall University. Mr. Zavaglia conducted the Polyphonic choir at Catholic University for three years. During his long career he also taught vocal music at Catholic University, Washington, D.C. and Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. He also served as Director of the Navy Midshipmen s choir for a short period of time. He was the organist-choral director for the Sunday NBC Catholic Hour with Bishop Fulton Sheen. He arranged for the Fred Waring Army hour. He also composed the musical arrangements for Billy Roses Diamond Room and also for entertainers Martha Ray and Milton Berle and the Hotel New Yorker Ice Show. He met and married Ruth Davis the ice show star. The St. Gregory Guild and J. Fisher published many of Mr. Zavaglia s compositions and choral arrangements. Mr. Zavaglia owned and operated Tusting Piano Company located in Asbury Park, New Jersey for 25 years. He sold, refinished, repaired and tuned pianos. He tuned the pianos of many stars including Diana Ross and Frank Sinatra when they were performing at The Garden State Arts Center. In 1990 he retired to Sarasota, Florida. He and his wife Ruth relocated to Bardstown, KY in 2002. He played the organ for almost 10 years at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral. Mr. Zavaglia was an organist for 78 years. His wife Ruth, son John and brothers, James and Aloysius predeceased Mr. Zavaglia. He is survived by one brother, Edmund (Cathy) Zavaglia, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey, four daughters and two sons: Karen (Robert) Kelly, of Bardstown KY, Ronald (Marian) Zavaglia of Pflugerville, Texas Jacqueline (Joseph) McGlone, of Freehold, New Jersey Carol (Paul) McKinley of, Pickerington, Ohio Rita (James) Riley of Oak Ridge, North Carolina, Joseph ( Sheila) Zavaglia of Asheville, North Carolina,16 Grandchildren & 11 Great Grandchildren. In Lieu of flowers Memorial Contributions may be made to:The Basilica Choir of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral P.O. Box 548 Bardstown, Kentucky 40004 Funeral Services are Saturday - September 14, 2013 at 9:30 AM at the Marrocco Memorial Chapel 470 Colfax Avenue Clifton Entombment Calvary Cemetery


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