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Roger William Zailskas
West Point, 1961
Be Thou At Peace
Posted by Ray Zailskas on July 27, 2021:
Roger Zailskas, eldest son of the late Prosper and Emma Zailskas, life long residents of Waterbury,CT passed away peacefully on the evening of July 19th . As a youngster attending St. Joseph Parochial School, Roger discovered what was to be one of his greatest loves -- that of baseball, starting as the second baseman on the Cardinal's Little League Team! Crosby High School, in the early 1950's, provided Roger the opportunity to develop his natural talents in sports as he expanded into football, basketball, as well as baseball. He enjoyed the challenge of competition without ever losing sight of being a team player and the importance of camaraderie in winning or accepting defeat. He was a slashing halfback on Crosby's undefeated 1955 football team, earning All-City honors. On the baseball field as the second baseman, he compiled a .420 batting average. Overall, he left his mark as a true varsity "3 Letterman" graduating in 1957. Although he was recruited by the Milwaukee Braves, Red Sox, Cubs, and the Dodgers, He aspired to and was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point to earn his college degree and to serve his country. Roger's experience at the "Point" confirmed and strengthened his sense of values. He played on the 1958 undefeated football team, along side such greats as All-American Pete Dawkins, Bob Anderson, and Bill Carpenter. During his four years, he proved his athletic abilities in football and baseball as a true team player. Among his many accomplishments are two outstanding instances: In the 1960 Army-Syracuse football rivalry, he intercepted a Syracuse pass in the last minutes of the game to secure the Army upset victory and secondly having the honor as a starting member of the Army baseball team to play against the Yankees and personally meet and be photographed with the great Mickey Mantle. Roger graduated from the Academy in 1961 with the motto "Second to None" and immediately assumed a leadership role in the Vietnam War. He opted to become an Airborne Ranger and his active participation in the conflict was documented in the Life Magazine June 12, 1964 edition. He refused to leave his men when his first tour ended, and he enlisted for a second tour. In the end, Capt. Zailskas was awarded many medals including the Purple Heart, three Bronze Stars, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He returned home in 1965, married and had two children. He spent much of his career in the chemical industry in sales and management. For many years, he was the National Sales Manager for ICI. A member of the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars, Roger was also an avid sportsman, hunting, fishing, and playing golf. He loved spending his winters at his condo near Lake Okeechobee. He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Patricia (McGuire) Zailskas, two children Melanie Waldron (Andrew) and Douglas Zailskas (Hana), and three grandchildren Roman Zailskas, Benjamin Waldron and Michael Waldron. He is also survived by four sisters and three brothers: Carol Jobe, Dalton, NH; Lorraine Abbott, Marlborough, CT; Dan Zailskas, Del Rey Beach, FL; Marty Zailskas, Brookline, MA; Len Zailskas, Gainesville, FL; Gloria Zailskas Long, Old Saybrook, CT; and Ray Zailskas, Farmington, CT. He will be remembered as a caring and loving person, mentor to all related and know him, but most importantly, he lived his life with honor and integrity. There is a Hebrew Proverb: Say not in grief "he is no more but live in thankfulness that he was". We miss you, Roger Your Brothers and Sisters Funeral Services and Burial are Private. Should you wish to express your sympathy and sign the Guestbook, please visit the website: www.whiteluttrell.com Memorial gifts may be made to: Disabled American Veterans PO Box 14301 Cincinnati, OH 45250
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