Reno M. Zinzarella, 93, of Allentown, NJ passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, December 11, 2022. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Helene (Stanfield) Zinzarella. Born in Mount Carmel, PA, the son of the late August and Justina Zinzarella, Reno was active in his local Boy Scout troop and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Mount Carmel High School where he excelled playing football. He was recruited by multiple college football programs and ultimately chose to attend the University of Pennsylvania where he played collegiate football. Reno graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1950. After graduation, he served as a Corporal in the US Army during the Korean War, working as a Physical Therapist in the Army Medical Corp.

After serving in the Army, he was a teacher and assistant football coach at Swedesboro High School, where he met his wife, Helene, who was also a teacher at the school. Reno was dedicated to education and coaching and furthered his own education by earning his Master of Education degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1956. Reno moved on to work as a history teacher and assistant football coach for the Metuchen School District and eventually was promoted to Assistant Principal and then Principal of Metuchen High School. While at Metuchen, Reno earned his Doctor of Education degree from Rutgers University in 1964 and was recruited by Westwood High School to serve as the Principal. During his time at Westwood High School, Reno was elevated to the role of the Assistant Superintendent and ultimately to the position of Superintendent of Schools where he was the recipient of the NJASA Distinguished Service Award in 1990.

During his life, Reno loved to travel throughout the United States and after his retirement, he enjoyed taking cruises and traveling abroad with his wife. He was an avid history scholar, reader, swimmer, and a fan of college sports.

Reno was predeceased by his siblings, Julian Albert Zinzarella and Mary Cecilia Rossi. In addition to his wife Helene, Reno is survived by his daughter, Dr. Jeanne Marie Zinzarella; his son, John Michael Zinzarella and his wife Marianne; his grandchildren, Christopher Michael, 1LT Andrew John and his wife 1LT Gina Koesters, Anna Maria, and Thomas Marc Zinzarella, as well as extended family in Italy.

A viewing will be held Monday, December 19 ^th from 3-5pm at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Tuesday, December 20 ^th at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, 1282 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Allentown, NJ. Interment will follow in the Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, Arneytown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Reno's name to the NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island Pediatric Primary Center at 175 Fulton Avenue, Hempstead, NY for the Reach Out and Read and other programs to help support the underserved children. (www.nyulangone.org)