Andrew Thomas “Andy” Zahn, a farmer, 89, of Bushswamp Farms near Melfa, VA, died Sunday, April 25, 2021, at his home. His devoted wife of 60 years, Helen A. (Martin) Zahn, formerly of Montreal, Canada, was called home by our Lord on July 4, 2017.
Andy was the son of the late Andrew J. and Johanna L. (Donahue) Zahn, and was born and reared in Irvington. NJ. Mr. Zahn attended the public schools in Irvington, and as a Navy "brat", was also schooled in Stockton, CA.
Andy was a 1954 graduate of Seton Hall University, where he was appointed as a cadet Lt. Col. and Commander of the ROTC regiment, and elected by the members as Captain of Company K, 8th Regt. of Pershing Rifles. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate, served on active duty with the U.S. Army in Fairbanks, AK, and Ft. Lewis in the Infantry and Military Police. He was a paratrooper, skitrooper and mountain climber. Mr. Zahn also attended Virginia Military Institute, Rutgers, Glassboro, and Trenton State College.
Mr. Zahn was a retired math and science teacher at Southern Regional High School and Middle School in Manahawkin, NJ. He was the coach of the school rifle team and a faculty sponsor of the school's popular Gun Club. He also operated a commercial fishing boat in New Jersey.
Prior to moving to Virginia in 1987, he resided in Bayville, NJ. He authored many letters to the press and to politicians, in efforts to improve things both nationally and locally. Additionally, he wrote a few stories in the CAPE CHARLES WAVE, and a series about being a boy and life in Irvington in the 1930's, published in the IRVINGTON HERALD. He was a life member of the National Rifle Association. Mr. Zahn was a former director in the Mon-Oc Public Employees ECU, and by sheer luck, won a prize for putting the one-millionth dollar into the credit union's deposits.
Mr. Zahn is survived by four sons, Andrew Jr. of Bayville, NJ, Thomas of Whiting, NJ, Alan of Roebling, NJ, and Daniel of Greenbush, VA. In addition, he leaves six grandsons, six granddaughters and four great-granddaughters.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Onley, VA on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 2:00 p.m., with Father Michael Imperial officiating. Military honors will be provided by the United States Army. Burial will be beside his wife in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, P.O. Box 860, Onley, VA 23418, or to a charity of your choice.
Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements by the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home.
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