HEATHSVILLE—Joseph Joaquim Zarza, 82, of Heathsville passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2025 in Kilmarnock.
Joe was born in Miami, Florida, to Joseph Sr and Eva Zarza on February 27, 1943. He grew up in the Lakeview area of New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from Warren Easton High School and then attended Tulane University.
He managed hotels in several states including Ohio, Maryland, Maine, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Virginia. He then served as the general manager at the Phoenix Park Hotel and the Dubliner Restaurant in Washington, D.C., for many years until he retired in Heathsville.
Joe was hardworking, compassionate, charismatic and intelligent. He had a profound impact on people throughout his lifetime and left an unforgettably positive influence on the lives of employees, neighbors, friends and family.
In his spare time, he honed his masterful culinary and bartending skills and enjoyed hosting parties and events. He also appreciated cruising and vacationing to countless destinations worldwide with the love of his life Gail. He was a proud member of Skal, an international organization of tourism leaders.
Family, however, was always the most important of his passions. He hosted summer gatherings at his Pine Point “beach house” and often attended get-togethers with family in New Orleans, Maryland and Delaware. He traveled an even longer distance for family Christmas festivities in Arizona just a few weeks before his death despite health challenges. He blessed his family with love and devotion lifelong.
Joe is survived by his daughter, Susan “Suzy” Merrell; son, Kenneth “David” Dougher and daughter-in-law, Michele; grandchildren, Meghan, Lauren, Kevin, Cullen, Sage, Finn, Hans and Justin; great-grandchildren, Wells and Autumn; sister, Eva “Shing” Rezza; niece, Evie; and nephews, Marty and Tony.
He was predeceased by father, Joseph Zarza Sr.; mother, Eva Hugg Zarza; wife, Gail Smith Zarza; daughter, Sherryl Billot; and son, Jason Dougher.
A viewing will be held from noon-2 p.m. Saturday, April 5, followed by a funeral service at 2 p.m. All events will be at Currie Funeral Home, 116 East Church Street, Kilmarnock. A reception will be hosted afterwards at Good Luck Cellars, 1025 Goodluck Road, Kilmarnock, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
