Dear Seahorses:

I have some very sad news this afternoon, for John Fallon just informed me that fellow 36th Engineer, John Zappitello has passed away, and shortly after his death, his wife followed him to that big place in the sky.

So, so hard to accept his passing, for he was a great friend to all the seahorses and helped run the reunions for decades in PA, along with his dear and sweet wife, Marguerite.

I had the fortune to get to know both, and had a grand time at many reunions with them. Lee and I even had the chance to meet up with John in Conneaut, Ohio and spent the afternoon with he and his daughter at a huge reenactors event, just a few years ago. The next morning before we left, we had breakfast with he and his wife and that unfortunately was the last time we saw them. Due to health issues, they were unable to attend the last few reunions. I did keep in touch via letters and phone calls and was planning on meeting up with them this fall, as Colin and I traveled back from the PA reunion, on our way to Michigan. We were really looking forward to our visit. Alas, it was not meant to be.

You both shall be missed. I'm glad we got to be friends.

With love,

Farewell Mr. Zappitello, Thank you for your service to our country.

I am sad to hear of the death of John and his wife. I am even sadder to think that you and I never made that trip to see them we talked about.

As always, as a 36th Engineer he will be remembered by us.

Colin.

John with his men!

I would like to thank both of you for expressing your sympathy and paying tribute to a great man and his devoted wife.

Farewell Sir, and Thank You for your service...

I'm glad to have gotten to have met him in 2011. At least they are together, now, forever.

Thank you for your service, sir!