Harold Anthony Zurlo

Blackie Zurlo is resting in Jesus Christ's arms. He lived the Golden Rule. Blackie is the living true Christian follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. He said it, and lived, Jesus' Golden Rule everyday: "Don't hurt one another and life is for helping one another."

He joined the U.S. Army in 1942 and served with General George S. Patton in the 3rd Army as Mess Sergeant preparing meals 24/7 from August 1, 1943 through our victory over Nazi Germany in 1945 1.2 million hot meals for Patton's staff. He received the Bronze Star for superior performance from General Patton who said, "Sgt. Zurlo was superior in performance of duty and service in five major European campaigns including the Battle of the Bulge." In a letter addressed to Zurlo, General Patton stated, "Blackie, you and I are not quitters: we are the same."Zurlo gave out 10 tons of captured food to the Sisters of Charity Orphanage in Belgium while overseeing meals for the 1, 000 soldiers of the 3rd Army General Staff. Patton's 3rd Army of over 3, 500 tanks and cannon and 600, 000 soldiers ripped the guts out of the Nazi war machine of Adolph Hitler.

Zurlo returned from the war to New York, married Mary Napoli and built a very successful electrical contracting business in Long Island. The family later moved to Weslaco in the Rio Grande Valley and built a very successful electrical contracting business. Blackie gave his life, time and talents to public office, citizenship and private and public philanthropies: the Birthing Center located in Weslaco, various Catholic Boys Homes and many contributions of food and clothing to the poor and destitute families in the Rio Grande Valley, Northern Mexico and San Antonio.

Give praise and thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ and God almighty for Zurlo. Truly Zurlo was the Good Samaritan. We need to also help the poor and weak people like Zurlo did for 75 years. May God bless him and give him eternal peace and rest with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Josephine Zurlo; brothers, Joseph Zurlo, John Zurlo and Eugene Zurlo; and sister, Millie Farina.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary D. Zurlo; his daughters, Kathleen S. Zurlo Loveland and husband, Daniel and Pamela Marie Salinas and husband, Rigoberto; grandchildren, Jonathan and Brianna Marie; son, Harold John Zurlo and wife Debra; grandchildren, Harold James and wife Ashley, Bryan Anthony; sister-in-law Katy Zurlo; nephews, Eugene Zurlo and wife, Charlotte, John Zurlo and wife Mary, Eugene Zurlo and Robert Zurlo; niece, Jody Moran.