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Joseph Edward Zalot, 91, of Southampton, MA, died on May 10, 2022 after a brief illness. Beloved son, brother, uncle, husband, father and Dziadziu, Joe, or as he was often called, Zip, was born on February 3, 1931 in Hadley Massachusetts to Frank and Mary (Pysz) Zalot. He graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1948. While at Hopkins, Joe played varsity baseball, basketball and soccer. He was awarded the James P. Reed Athletic medal. He graduated from Cushing Academy in 1949 and Amherst College in 1953. Joe was drafted into the US Army, and was assigned to Co. C 39th Infantry Division at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Joe was then transferred to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he completed tank training and radio school. Joe served his country as a radio school instructor until he was honorably discharged in 1955. Joe then attended the University of Massachusetts, graduating with a Master’s Degree in education in 1956. Joe returned to Hopkins Academy, taught Social Studies for 2 years and became its principal in 1958. Joe was principal at Hopkins for 12 years before becoming principal of Williamsburg High School in its final year. In 1971, Joe then became the first principal of the newly established Hampshire Regional High School in Westhampton Massachusetts.
Joe was principal of Hampshire Regional High School for 20 years, retiring in 1991. While principal, he also served on the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association for 13 years, and was its 1st president from 1978-1980. Joe also was chairman of the standing committee on athletics for the Massachusetts Secondary Schools Principals Association, which regulated school athletics until the MIAA was formed. He had a 20 year involvement as a board member and was chairman of the Small Schools Basketball Tournament. In 1990 Joe was awarded the Harold M. “Kidd” Gore award, which has been awarded since 1939. Harold Gore originally organized the small schools tournament. Joe was a fixture at most athletic events at HRHS. In honor of his retirement, the school gym was renamed the Joseph E. Zalot Gymnasium.
After retirement, Joe spent many years in the children’s room of the Emily Williston Memorial Library in Easthampton, MA, spreading his love of children, education and reading to another generation of young people. He also volunteered in the library at the William E. Norris Elementary School in Southampton MA. In 2014, the 350th Anniversary Committee of Hopkins Academy selected Joe as an outstanding alumni.
Joe was also very active in his church, Sacred Heart in Easthampton, serving as a lector, Eucharistic minister and president of the Saint Stanislaus Kostka Scholarship committee.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Barbara, his 6 children, Mary Boucher (Craig), Teresa O’Connor (Michael), Marcella Zalot (Kevin Concaugh), Jozef Zalot ( Susan), John Zalot (Michele) and Justyna Keilty (Michael). The lights of his life were his grandchildren: Michael O’Connor, Sarah O’Connor, Kathleen Labrie (Jon), John O’Connor, Rachel Boucher, Rebecca Boucher, Owen Concaugh, Emma Concaugh, Maria Zalot, Genevieve Keilty, Preston Hallet (Audrey) and his two great-grandchildren Jon Labrie III and Laura Labrie. He leaves numerous nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his parents Frank and Mary Zalot and his siblings, Frank Zalot Jr., Edward Zalot, Veronica Pizak, and Jennie Martula.
Calling hours are Wednesday, May 18, 2022 from 4pm-7pm at Mitchell Funeral Home, 15 Park Street, Easthampton Ma. The Family would like to invite everyone to meet directly at Church for A Mass of Christian burial which will be celebrated at 11am on Thursday May 19, 2022 at Our Lady of the Valley Church, 33 Adams Street, Easthampton Ma. The burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to HRSD/J Zalot Scholarship, in care of Easthampton Savings Bank, 36 Main Street, Easthampton MA 01027.
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