Brigadier General John (Jack) J. Zito, USAF (Retired) was born in Troy, NY on March 1928. Jack graduated from Catholic Central High School in Troy, NY where he participated in the Civilian Air Patrol. Immediately upon graduation, he enlisted in the Marines and served at the end of WWII and the Korean Conflict. The story goes that as Jack sat in a cold, muddy foxhole in Korea, he viewed air support in the skies above and vowed to become a fighter pilot. Returning stateside from Korea, Jack attained his private pilot’s license and worked at Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation in Schenectady, NY while attending Sienna college night classes.

He attended the University of Miami on the GI Bill graduating with a BA in Business in 1955. However, prior to graduation, he seized the opportunity to enroll in flight school with the Florida Air National Guard (FANG). He pursued advance training at Webb AFB in Big Spring, TX and Luke AFB in Glendale, AZ flying F-84s.

Jack returned to Florida to serve with the FANG. In 1960, he was hired by Northeast Airlines, which was later acquired by Delta. Jack flew as an airline captain for 28 years while also serving in the New Hampshire Air National Guard(NHANG). He was affectionately known as “Zip” by his fellow NHANG comrades at Grenier Field in Manchester and later Pease Air Force Base in Newington.

A veteran of three wars, Jack served during WWII, the Korean Conflict and was active duty for the Cold War and Vietnam. He served as a command pilot with more than 9,000 hours military flying time in 10 types of aircraft! In 1981, Jack was promoted to Brigadier General and in 1985 assigned as Mobilization Assistant to the 12th Air Force Commander, headquartered at Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX.

Jack attended Air War College in 1976 and Defense Strategy Seminar in 1979. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in 1979. He considered himself most fortunate that his vocation was his avocation. He was an avid float plane pilot and participated in many fly-ins. Great memories were made on annual float plane trips to a remote fishing camp in Northern Quebec with fishing buddies. Recognizing only Jack’s military and commercial flying time, he accumulated nearly 40,000 flight hours – truly a remarkable achievement.

Throughout his lifetime, Jack served on several boards of directors but was most proud of his role in establishing the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen. He was a strong proponent of education and often told his children that their education was “something no one could ever take away from you.” Modeling this, he attended language school in Italy in his 70s!

Jack Zito believed he was most blessed to have so many good people touch his long life. He was a man dedicated to God, country, family and friends. He lived by his values, instilled them in his children and was gracious to all. He will be remembered for his gregarious personality.

Memorial donations to the NH State Veterans Cemetery Association are appreciated in honor of Jack’s legacy as a veteran. Please send donations to PO Box 626, Concord, NH 03302 earmarked “Veterans Heritage Learning Center” or online at https://nhvca.org/donate