Dr. George Edward Zito, 67, of Wadsworth, Ohio, passed away after sustaining a traumatic brain injury at his home on July 31, 2017.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Andrew and Janice Zito;  sister and brother-in-law Niki and Alan Balter;  and his beloved son Isaac Zito.

 

He is survived by his long-time partner Carol Eggert;  his cherished grandson Felix and mother Ellen Fannin-Zito;  Eugene and Viki Longfield of St. Louis, nephews Erick (Sarah and children Jaden and Ashlyn);  Jason (Leslie and children Colton and Eloise);  Mandy and Jon Calvin (daughter ava);  Douglas and Shelly Eggert (daughter Ava) and numerous cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

 

George attended Ohio State and became a lifelong Buckeye fan.   He attended Baylor Medical School and Columbia University in NYC for his neurology residency.   He was associate professor of clinical neuroscience at the University Medical and Dentistry of Newark, NJ.

George lived in Newark across the Hudson River from NYC;  when asked where he lived, he always said Manhattan, where he frequented the museums and enjoyed the culture.  

George not only taught medical students but became their mentor and friend, influencing the lives of hundreds of aspiring neurologists.   He received the Excellence in Teaching awards from the UMDNJ's foundation, attesting to his 15 years of successful teaching.   His five minutes of humor and fun peppered each of his 50-minute neuroscience and neurology lectures.   Cartoons, his own 7 of well-known humorist jokes, often about himself, and chat about theater, films, and other "non-pertinent matter" gave his students a chance to "smile and come up for air."   He often said good teachers "respect their students and teaches the reason for the medical school.   We're here to make good physicians."

 

The most important part of George's life was family.   He enjoyed participating in family events and livened every celebration with hand-designed cards and multiple photographs.   He felt that if "there wasn't a photo, it didn't happen."  He was a loving grandfather who enjoyed playing with his kiddos.   He traveled frequently to spend time with his grandson Felix in Olympia, WA.

George grew up in Wadsworth and returned there to build his first house and once again became active in the community.   He was a lifelong lover of films, books, arts, the New York Times crossword puzzles, and learning about the world around him.   He was a daily walker and spent many hours walking or hiking through the national parks, and recently participating in 5Ks to support various causes in the community.

 

The world will be a less colorful, interesting place without him.   An unfillable void will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

A memorial service will be conducted 4:30 pm, Sunday, August 13, 2017, at the Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman St., Wadsworth.   The family will receive friends from 3:00 until the time of service.

 

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to:  the Wadsworth Library Foundation at www.wadsworthlibrary.com/foundation;  the Dr. George Zito Medical Student Scholarship Fund, C/O Wadsworth City Schools, 524 Broad St., Wadsworth, OH 44281; or the charity of your choice.

 

   


George Zito
Wadsworth High School
Graduating Class of 1968      

 

WHS Buckeye Boys State and Buckeye Girls State attendees, summer of 1967.  From left: Page Schrock, Ruth Diem, George Zito, Jean Hartman, Ron Perrigo.   

WHS National Honor Society, 1967-68.  Row 1: Baldwin, Aston, Halterman, Bicksler, Riggs, Schick, Winkler, MacWherter.  Row 2: Kulmacz, Diem, Sikora, Longfield, Zito, Heck, Lockard, Farr, Lewis.  Row 3: Mak, Schrock, Alderfer, Hudson, Dziewisz, Mehollin, Dauge, Cramp, Sturgis, Everhard.

 

George Zito in Study Hall, supposedly studying. 

George Zito with Andy Emanuele, at a recent class reunion.

George Zito at a recent Family Reunion, which George always arranged.

Steph Schmeltzer  (WHS 1997), Chair, Wadsworth High School Alumni Association. 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281.    Past obituaries, class information, and alumni news is available at www.wadsworthalumni.com.  Please contact us at whsalumni.1@gmail.com . To view WCTV television programs featuring Wadsworth High School and other Wadsworth news, go to http://my.viebit.com.   Please consider becoming a supporting member of the Alumni Association by sending a check addressed to "WHS ALUMNI ASSOC."  for $10 (annual dues) or $100 (lifetime dues) to Sally Porter, WHSAA Treasurer, 524 Broad Street, Wadsworth, OH 44281. Reduced Membership Rates for WHS Alumni Couples! $150 per couple for lifetime memberships; $25 per couple for yearly dues.