Ernesto Zota

ZOTA, Ernesto, age 68, of Tampa, passed away Monday, June 15, 2015. Ernesto was born July 5, 1946 in Cartagena, Colombia to his parents, Ernesto and Candelaria Zota. After immigrating to New Jersey from Colombia he subsequently moved to Tampa with his family. Proud to be a Colombian and equally proud to gain citizenship to the United States, he was a founding member of A.S.O.C.O.L., an international Colombian and United States charitable organization. He worked tirelessly to better his life and those around him. He recently retired from the University of South Florida where he loved to deliver the internal mail, making friends in all the various departments and clinics. Previously, he worked at Busch Gardens and Kash & Karry. He was generous with his time and loved deeply. He was preceded in death by his parents Ernesto and Candelaria and his brother Carlos (Alejandra, surviving). He is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Maria Cristina Zota; children, Ana Zota Sanchez (Ron), Ernesto Zota (Maria) and Laura Zota-Noll (Robert); grandchildren, Veronica, Roland, Gianna, Alexx and Sophie; sister, Ana Barboza (Jorge); brother, Edgar Zota (Lilia) and many loving nieces, nephews and friends. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 3 p.m., Friday, June 19th, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 9715 N. 56th Street, Temple Terrace, FL 33617. A reception to visit with the family will be held following the mass at the parish center. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Ernesto’s memory to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute or to Relay for Life. Words of comfort may be shared at www.blountcurryterraceoaks.com.