Frederick (Fred) Zarro, 86, of Elkton, Maryland passed away on September 7, 2019.

Mr. Zarro was born and raised in Newark, NJ and was a fire fighter for the City of Newark 25 years prior to retiring in the early 1980’s. He also served as Vice President of the Newark Firemen’s Relief Association. He later became a resident of Edison Twp., and then resided several years at the Jersey Shore area prior to relocating to Maryland in 1989.

Fred served in the U.S. Army National Guard during the Korean War and during that time was stationed primarily in Alaska. As a young man he earned much recognition for boxing as well as other sports he participated in. In addition to his love of contact sports, he enjoyed fishing, dancing, breeding tropical fish and canvas painting, along with gardening; his favorite hobby. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He found peace in the Roman Catholic Church throughout his life and was a parishioner of Immaculate Conception Church, Elkton, Maryland for many years.

His smile will be remembered by all who knew him, as will the memory of him as “the guy who could grow some of the best tomatoes – anywhere”.

Surviving are his daughter, Linda (Zarro) Hickman of Townsend, DE; his beloved grandchildren: William Hickman (Gina) of Ridgewood, NY, Bret Rossi, Jr. of New Castle, DE and Maria Rossi of Townsend, DE; his son, Frederick Zarro III of Asheville, NC, his sisters Evelyn Zarro and Elizabeth McCarthy, his sister-in-law, Roseann Zarro all of Eatontown and several nieces and nephews.

He will be forever missed by family and by God-daughter Kylie Lawson of Elkton, MD, her brother, Ethan Chamberlain and their mom Tina Lawson who like family were dear to him.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents Frederick Zarro and Catherine Ciampi Zarro, sisters Regina Santoro, Margaret Avignone, Rose Lombardi and Edward Zarro, his only brother and most cherished friend.

Family and friends are invited to gather Saturday, September 28, 2019 11:00 am in honor and celebration of his life with an 11:30 am service at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road Holmdel, followed by graveside service with military honors at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 100 Chapel Hill Road, Red Bank.