Sebastian "Benny" Zappulla

Sebastian "Benny" Zappulla, formerly of Winthrop and East Boston, the husband of the late Yolanda Zappulla, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 93 years of age from Dementia.

He was the father of a loving son, James of Middleboro and his wife, Margaret. The grandfather to his pride and joys, Catherine and Alice.

Benny served as a Marine in WWII in Guam as a runner. After returning home he met his love of his life, Yolanda and they married in 1950. He enjoyed music and had his own orchestra in the 1950's. He played guitar, organ, and his all time favorite instrument saxophone, until he wasn't able to play anymore. He attended Berklee School of Music and later taught guitar to children as a side job.

He worked as a presser at Picarello and Singer, upon leaving he went to work for the Federal Government as a printer until his retirement in 1990. He did painting and wallpapering as a side job when James was growing up.

Benny loved cars and took pride in his car even at 93 he was still outside tending to his car. He passed that love of cars onto his songs and granddaughters. Two of his son's favorite memories were going to the slot cars races with his dad and spending the day racing his slot cars. He would help his son set his trains up in the living room and they would play them for weeks until they were told to take them down so they could have the living room back again.

Besides his son and his family, Benny is survived by his loving sister-in-law, Mary Zappulla of Winthrop, brother-in-law, Joseph DiMartino of Revere, several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Vincenzo and Rose Zappulla and his brother, Salvatore Zappulla. He will be missed by all those who knew him and loved him.

Family and friends will honor Benny's life by gathering at the Ruggiero Family Memorial Home, 971 Saratoga Street, (Orient Heights) East Boston, on Friday, September 30th from 9:00 to 11:00 A.M. before leaving in procession to Saint John's Church, Winthrop, for a funeral Mass celebrating Benny's life at 11:30 A.M. Services will conclude with Benny being laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett. May he rest in peace.

The family asks, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 02452 for research for dementia and Alzheimer's.