Joseph A. Zappia, loving father and grandfather

OLEAN — Joseph “Joe” Zappia, 95, of Olean, passed away peacefully Wednesday, (July 8, 2026) at Olean General Hospital, surprising everyone lucky enough to know him, who fully expected he would be golfing, mowing his lawn, shoveling snow and rebricking the neighborhood well into his hundreds.

Born April 18, 1931, in Ridgway, Pa., Joe was the son of Dominic and Angelina DePalma Zappia. He grew up in Ridgway and lived a simple but richly blessed early life with his beloved parents and siblings. There was never a day that did not include laughter, food from his father’s garden and the family rosary led by his mother.

He graduated from St. Leo’s Catholic School, where he played basketball “exceptionally well, especially for a short guy.”

Joe served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954. He remained stateside, where he was responsible for keeping his company well supplied and winning basketball titles against other units. He was also honored as Soldier of the Month.

After his honorable discharge, Joe continued to play basketball and softball regularly. He joined Market Basket Stores, where he worked as a meat manager in Salamanca, for one and a half years and in Johnsonburg, Pa., for nine years. He was later promoted to meat supervisor and moved to Olean. After 46 years with the company, he retired as deli/bakery supervisor for many stores across New York and Pennsylvania. Joe was an honest and ethical leader and is remembered to this day as one of the best, by many who worked with and for him.

Joe and Dorothy Ann “Dottie” Preston were married on June 27, 1956, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Johnsonburg, Pa. Dorothy Ann was the daughter of Herman and Beatrice Coudriet Preston of Johnsonburg. Joe and Dorothy Ann were deeply devoted to one another. They admired and honored each other in big and small ways throughout their 64-year marriage.

Joe shared his family of origin’s great sense of humor. He had many friends with whom he joyfully joined for coffee at Tim Horton. He never missed an opportunity to play golf, and attended the annual Bennick’s Crew golf trip for more than 20 years. Throughout his life, he was organized, meticulous and fastidious. He was loved by so many because he was generous with a smile, a kind word and wisdom, if you asked for it. He loved his family with his entire heart, and you did not need to be blood to be family. He shared a special bond with his son-in-law, Paul Gormont, whom he considered and loved as one of his own.

He was a faithful Catholic and parishioner of the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, a loving husband and a kind but firm father and grandfather.

One of Joe’s greatest memories, as he told it, was coming home from work for lunch when Kim and Corrine were toddlers. They would run up the street squealing to meet him, and he said he could still feel their hugs and kisses and their little bodies dangling from his arms as if it were happening in real time.

Joe is survived by his two daughters, Kimberlee A. Zappia and Corrine M. (Paul) Gormont; his beloved grandchild, Sky G. Gormont; his “might-as-well-have-been-adopted” daughter, Lindsey; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.

Along with his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Ann Preston Zappia; his siblings, Santina Zappia, Jennie Zappia O’Connell, Grace Zappia, Frank Zappia and Rocco Zappia; and two infant siblings, Joseph and Mary.

Friends will be received from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday (July 15, 2026) at the Letro-McIntosh-Spink Funeral Home, Inc., 646 E. State St., Olean. Funeral services will be held beginning with a prayer service at 9:30 a.m. Thursday (July 16, 2026) at the funeral home, following with a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. at the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, at 202 S Union St., Olean. Father David Tourville will celebrate. He will be laid to rest at Holy Rosary Cemetery in Johnsonburg.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels, 202 S. Union St., Olean, NY 14760.

Online condolences may be made at www.letromcintoshspinkfuneralhome.com.