Obituary of James A. Zolla

James A. Zolla, 84, of Howell Township passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, March 20, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. James was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and lived there until 1970. James and his wife Rose, the love of his life, then moved with their growing family to the Great Kills section of Staten Island. Eventually they left their New York roots and began a new chapter of their lives in Howell Township, New Jersey, where he resided since 1988. Upon graduation from college, he worked as a City of New York Court Clerk, beginning in the Family Court Division in Manhattan.  He remained a proud civil servant in the Family Court for thirty-three years, moving to the Staten Island, and then Brooklyn Divisions, until his retirement in 1995 as Senior Court Clerk.  As to his career, James was a dedicated member of the NYS Court Clerk Association.  His work life was always second to his family, as James was the ultimate family man, the “show up for everything” guy. Active in all things in his four children’s lives, volunteering as a coach and manager of the Howell Central Little League is but one of countless examples. Not only was James a devoted husband for sixty-two years and a loving father, but he was also the best “Pop” to his five grandsons, who were his ultimate pride and joy.  A fan of all thing’s sports, baseball was his to favorite to play and follow. Avoiding rivalry, he was a die-hard fan of both the NY Yankees and the NY Mets. In his active years James also loved horse racing and going to Atlantic City for a night out.  But nothing gave him more joy than a family meal with every member at the table.

James is survived by his most dedicated loving wife, Rose Marie; his sister Grace Rapallo; children, Pauline Yannece and her husband, Joseph of West Caldwell, Jeanne Mangieri of Freehold, Laura Anne Lauro and her husband, Robert of Jackson and James A. Zolla of Jackson; grandchildren, Frank Mangieri, Justin Yannece, Robert Lauro, Dominic Zolla, and Vincent Zolla, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, James “Jack”  Zolla and his mother Pauline (Zinno) Zolla.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on  Thursday, March 27, 2025 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited to gather at the funeral home on  Friday,  March 28, 2025 at 9:00 AM for the procession to his 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at the Church of St. Veronica, 4215 Route 9 North, Howell.  Entombment will follow in Ocean County Memorial Park, Toms River.  For those who desire, memorial contributions may be made to Little League.  For information, directions or to leave condolence messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com