Joseph Zonko inducted into Owens Campus Hall of Fame
Joseph A. Zonko was posthumously inducted into the Delaware Technical Community College Owens Campus Hall of Fame during an April 23 ceremony.
Zonko worked at Delaware Tech from 1980 to 2013. His primary occupation was in maintenance, but he also taught part-time evening classes in manufacturing processes and welding. Zonko loved to share his passion for knowledge, whether it was in the classroom, on the job, at home gardening or helping his grandchildren with math concepts. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, music, carpentry projects, and time with his family.
One of his achievements he was proudest of was when his welding class collaborated with the heavy equipment class to design and construct the flagpole on the Owens Campus. The flagpole was dedicated to the Disabled American Veterans July 4, 1984, and a bench was placed by the flagpole and dedicated in Zonko’s memory.
Zonko began recycling old things and working on do-it-yourself projects before those pursuits became popular. He designed and constructed drip irrigation for a garden using PVC pipe, which was a big hit with his gardening buddies. He tilled many vegetable gardens over the years with an ancient tiller. Caring for everything from beets to zucchini, gardening was his relaxing way to end his day. The many flowerbeds around his home contained some of his favorite flowers, such as gladiola, Stella de Oro daylily, and Black-eyed Susan.
Zonko’s expertise in carpentry was top-notch. He built his first and second homes in Long Neck, and remodeled his last home. He also made birdhouses and a fold-up gardening table. For Christmas one year, he made his daughter a coffee table and matching end tables. His family also has toy chests, vegetable cabinets, and a breakfast bar, among other things.
He would always lend a helping hand or offer advice to family and friends with their various projects. Zonko never treated anyone like a stranger, whether he saw them at a home improvement store or a restaurant. He really enjoyed meeting up with previous students and getting updates on where they were in their careers.
His favorite times of the year involved Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations, and backyard barbecue gatherings with family and friends. Zonko’s love for music would usually have him strumming his guitar, or have music in the background. He was also known to show his grandchildren a few chords.
Zonko passed away Jan. 1, 2013. He is survived by his wife Brenda, daughter Sarah Murray, stepdaughter Julie Swinney, and stepson Scott Paradis, as well as his grandchildren Douglas Murray Jr., Britany Brooks, Alec Swinney and Morgan Paradis. He is greatly missed.
