Obituary: Francis Louis Zavaglia, 93, Bardstown
FRANK LOUIS ZAVAGLIA
Francis Louis Zavaglia, 93, of Bardstown, died Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, at the home of his daughter surrounded by his loving family. He was born Dec. 21, 1919, in Clifton, N.J. 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 in 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. He 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 the 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 his compositions and choral arrangements.
He owned and operated Tusting Piano Company located in Asbury Park, N.J. 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, Fla. He and his wife Ruth relocated to Bardstown in 2002. He played the organ for almost 10 years at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral. He was an organist for 78 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth Zavaglia; one son John Zavaglia; and two brothers, James Zavaglia and Aloysius Zavaglia.
He is survived by one brother, Edmund (Cathy) Zavaglia of Basking Ridge, N.J.; four daughters, Karen (Robert) Kelly of Bardstown KY, Jacqueline (Joseph) McGlone of Freehold, N.J., Carol (Paul) McKinley of Pickerington, Ohio; and Rita (James) Riley of Oak Ridge, N.C.; two sons, Ronald (Marian) Zavaglia of Pflugerville, Texas; Joseph (Sheila) Zavaglia, of Asheville, N.C.; 16 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial is 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral with burial in Calvary Cemetery in Clifton, N.J. at a later date. The Rev. Bill Hammer is the celebrant.
Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home with a prayer service Saturday evening.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Basilica Choir of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, P.O. Box 548, Bardstown, KY 40004.
Houghlin-Greenwell Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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