Peter R. Zuzolo

Peter Roland Zuzolo

Born on June 22, 1928 to Elvira Castaldo and Angelo Zuzolo in White Plains, NY. The Zuzolo family was from Sant Arcangelo, and the Castaldo Family was from Montesarchio both in the region of Benevento, Italy. On June 9, 1957, Peter married Edith Magnotta of White Plains at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Peter and Edith lived in Massapequa Park for over 57 years before moving to West Islip. They have three daughters; Elvira (Robert) Castellano, Carol Kean, and Maria (Kenneth) Rossiello, and a son, Peter Jr., who passed away at the age of two. They have three grandchildren; Rocco (Darcie) Castellano, Peter (Kate) Rossiello and Nina Rossiello, as well as three great-grandchildren, William, Charlotte and Ava Castellano.

Peter received a Bachelors in Engineering Physics from NYU. He went on to receive a Masters in Applied Physics from Adelphi University where he received their first Physics Degree, and continued at Adelphi teaching under-graduate physics. Peter then worked with graduate students at Harvard University, Georgia Institute of Technology, University of Tennessee, and many other group seminar courses.

Outside of his robust education, Peter served as Sergeant in the Army Air Force and USAF for three years, with three years in the USAF Reserve. He served in Japan, South Korea, and in Germany with the Regionally Aligned Forces during the Berlin Blockade. During his service, Peter had over 37 days at sea with over 13,000 miles travelled and has flown over 2,000,000 air miles. He was a Life Member of the AMVETS, the Italian American War Veterans, and the Disabled American Veterans.

Peter was employed at NYU in the Research Division, at Western Electric, and at Sperry Gyroscope before he transferred to Republic Aviation, which became Fairchild Republic, as an Aerospace Tech Manager for 32 years. He went on to become employed at Northrop Grumman as Research & Development Program Manager where he worked on classified programs until his retirement in September 1994. Peter held top-secret Navy, Air Force, and NATO clearances and has three classified patents. Over the years, he presented over 30 technical papers at NYU, University of Illinois, Ohio State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and many other military conferences.

Peter was in the Order Sons of Italy in America for over 62 years. He was a Charter member and second President of the Arturo Toscanini Lodge #2107. Peter was the 20th NYS OSIA President from June 1977 to June 1981. He was installed as the 23rd National OSIA President in August 1991 and served on the NYS executive level for over 45 years and the national executive level for 39 years. Over the years, Peter had many memorable moments with the OSIA which included:

-Traveling to California throughout the 1970's which often including trips to Sacramento to visit former Governor Ronald Reagan.

-Taking a trip with Edith to Italy in November 1977 with doctors and staff of St. Francis Hospital Gift of Life Program where they met with Pope Paul VI, President Giovanni Leone, Cardinal Ugo Poletti, Monsignor John Patrick Carroll-Abbing and many other dignitaries.

-Presenting Frank Sinatra with the Dante Medal at the Columbus Day Parade in NYC in October 1979.

-Coordinating the effort to have Corporal Anthony Casamento to receive the Medal of Honor in 1980 from former President Jimmy Carter.

-Instituting and developing the Douhet Mitchell International Air Power Trophies in 1980 with General Agustine Verrangia.

-Leading and fundraising over $3M for 12/13/80 Italian earthquake victims and over $1.4M in medical supplies.

-Attending the Inaugural Ball of former President Ronald Reagan in January 1981.

-The Zuzolos being selected as Family of the Year in 1986.

-Meeting with former President George H. W. Bush in 1990, 1991, and 1992.

-Being installed in the NYS Hall of Fame in June 1995.

-Receiving the NYS Bene Emeritus Award in 1996.

-Establishing a fundraiser for the Children's Inn At NIH along with Edith as Chair, and Barbara Bush as Honorary Chair with over $100,000 raised.

Various other achievements throughout Peter’s life include:

-National Vice Chair - WWII Memorial in Washington DC

-President - PTA

-President- Exchange Club

-Chair - Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

-Member - LI Advisory Council of the NYS Commission for Human Rights

-Nassau Community College Board of Trustee

-Chair - SUNY Stony Brook Regional Advisory Committee

-Treasurer - Stony Brook Center for Italian Studies

-Town of Oyster Bay Arts Council Advisory Board

-Member - Suffolk County Italian-American Advisory Council

-Best article in NYU Engineering Magazine

-Kappa Sigma Fraternity Leadership & Scholarship

-Outstanding Exchange Club President

-American Association of Teachers of Italian Dante Medal

-Verrazano Institute Award

-Cooley's Anemia Hour Glass Award

-Honorary Citizen of Boys Town of Italy

-St. Francis Hospital's Francis of Assisi Award

-WCC Community Service Award

-SIAMO Dante Man of Letters Award

-Roselli Citizenship Award

-1993 Dante Foundation of Nassau County's Distinguished Service Award

-NYS CSJ Lehman-LaGuardia Award

-Cradle of Aviation Museum Aerospace Honor Roll

-Member of the Association of Old Crows

-Member of Wild Weasels

-National Management Association

-LI Republic Airport Historical Society

-National Vice Chair - 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund