James Albert Zaccari, age 83, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 13, 2020.

Jim was born on September 30, 1936 in Berwyn, Illinois, the eldest son of the late Sisto and Anastasia Zaccari, and is predeceased in life by his wife of 56 years, Shirley Ann Hoosock Zaccari.

A native of Berwyn, Illinois, Jim was a 1954 graduate of J. Sterling Morton High School. The oldest of four brothers, Jerome, Anthony and John, Jim served in the United States Army Air Force and the United States Air Force from 1954 – 1978 during which he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and received the Air Force Commendation Medal nine times.  He served in Vietnam from 1966 – 1969 and was awarded The Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign.  During his 24 years of military service, Jim received several other awards and commendations and retired from active duty as a Chief Master Sergeant.

On May 4, 1957, Jim married the love of his life, Shirley Ann Hoosock in Syracuse, New York.  For 24 years, Jim and Shirley travelled the world with their four children, James, Judith, William and Susan, while Jim served in the military.  After retiring in 1978, Jim and Shirley moved the family to Florida where "it doesn't snow" and they began the next phase of their life together.

From 1979 – 1981, Jim continued his hospital career at Brandon Regional Hospital in Brandon, Florida while also attending Saint Leo University where he worked to fulfill his lifelong dream and obtained his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration.   From 1981 – 2001, Jim was the Hospital Administrator for the MacDill Air Force Base Hospital, serving in the Civil Service for twenty years.  During that time, he worked alongside Shirley, who was the Quality Assurance Adjuster for the hospital.  Together they ensured that all military personnel and service men and women who visited the hospital were well taken care of with the honor and respect they deserved.

All those who met Jim loved to hear his stories from growing up in an Italian family in Berwyn, Illinois along with his travels around the world while serving in the military.  He was a kind, patient and generous man who looked forward to spending time with his family.  He enjoyed dancing with Shirley, boating, fishing, baseball, pistol and rifle shooting, motorcycling and travelling,

Until the date of his death, Jim was proud of the family he raised and of his service to the United State of America.  He always said that "if they ( the Air Force ) would take me back at my age, I'd go back in a heartbeat and do it all over again".

Jim is survived by his four loving children and their spouses Judith Ann (Gerald) Olson (Waupaca, WI), Dr. James A. (Irina) Zaccari (Valrico, FL), William Sisto Zaccari (Valrico, FL) and Susan Zaccari (Shaun) Rabel (Brandon, FL); two brothers Anthony Zaccari (Nashville, TN) and John Zaccari (Countryside, IL); adoring grandchildren Jocelyn (Robert) Aho (Neenah, WI), Brandon (Sara) Wittman (Kaukauna, WI), Kristin Olson (Greenbay, WI), Michael (Kalyn) Zaccari (Valrico, FL), David (Tiffany) Zaccari (Valrico, FL), John Zaccari (Valrico, FL), William Zaccari, Jr, (Valrico, FL), Hayley Zaccari (Valrico, FL), Ryan Rabel (Brandon, FL), Zachary Rabel (Brandon, FL); 17 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews that adored and admired him.

A Mass of Catholic Burial will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Seffner, Florida on Saturday, June 20, 2020 1:00 PM with a live stream of the service available on the St. Francis of Assisi Facebook page facebook.com/stfranciscc .  The burial, with full military honors, will immediately follow at Serenity Meadows Memorial Park in Riverview, Florida.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations in memory of James Albert Zaccari be made to the following:

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Riverview Memorial VFW Post 8108, 7504 Riverview Drive, Riverview, Florida 33578

LifeLink Legacy Fund

https://secure.donorpro.com/lifelink