Obituary of Joseph Anthony Zappa

Zappa, Joseph Anthony 

Husband, Father, Grandfather 

Age 92 of Maplewood 

Died peacefully from lymphoma in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 14, 2022, at the Pillars Hospice in Oakdale, MN.  Survived by wife of 67 years, (May 14 was their wedding day!) M. Kathleen Zappa of Maplewood; daughter, Gina Marie Manskar (Steve); son, Anthony J. Zappa (Cindy); son, James M. Zappa (Rani Murdoch Zappa); beloved grandsons, Noah Manskar, Mathew Zappa, and Michael Zappa; brothers, Eugene Zappa and David Tucci; and dozens of nieces, nephews, and other generations of the Zappa/Tucci family.  Preceded in death by fathers, Anthony J. Zappa and John Tucci; mother, Minnie Tucci; daughters, Anne Margaret Zappa and Nancy Clare Zappa; brothers, Edward Zappa, Nicholas Tucci, and Jerome Tucci; and sisters, Virginia George, and Mary Ricci. 

Joe was born in Cumberland, Wisconsin on March 31, 1930.  Graduated from North St. Paul High School (Class of 1948).  Member of Church of St. Peter in North St. Paul for more than 85 years.  He served his country in the Korean War and his community during a 30-year career as an officer and sergeant with the Maplewood Police Department, including 16 years as a school liaison officer. Served five years as a member of the Maplewood City Council.  Long-time employee of Angus Meats in Maplewood.  He gave countless hours, dollars, and vegetables to his church, community groups, convents, monasteries, neighbors, and people he never met. 

Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m., Church of St. Peter, 2600 N. Margaret Street, North St. Paul, MN 55019.  Visitation at the Church from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.  Luncheon to follow private interment at St. Mary's Cemetery. 

Memorials can be made to St. Peter Catholic School, 2620 North Margaret Street, North Saint Paul, MN 55109 or the American Cancer Society.