Zacarias Zarate

Zacarias Zarate Jr., age 80, passed away on September 5th, 2017 at Kaiser Permanente Zion Medical Center surrounded by his family.

He leaves his wife of 59 years, Rosalie (Toledo) Zarate and their children: Anamaria Aguirre, Gloria Galvan, Zacarias Zarate III, Raquel Zarate and James Zarate. Zacarias was preceded in death by Miguel Zarate, his eldest son.

Born on May 21, 1937, he was the son of Zacarias and Eulalia Zarate and a lifelong resident of National City.

He is survived by Rose Gentz and Jennie Olivas, his sisters. The youngest of six children, Zacarias was preceded in death by Tom, Florentino, and Ralph Zarate (his three brothers), and his sister, Josephine Shepherd.

Zacarias met his wife, Rosalie, in junior high and teased her relentlessly as young boys do. However, their middle school rivalry blossomed into a high school-sweethearts romance, and they married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in 1958.

Zacarias worked as a Heavy Duty Repairman for Operating Engineers for over 30 years. He retired at 62 years old in 1999. Zacarias loved to fish, watch sports, and ride his ATV in the desert, but he valued faith and family most of all. He was a devoted husband and loving father. He is survived by 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Although Zacarias had a rough exterior, his loved ones will always remember his “teddy bear” personality and twinkling eyes.

A funeral service will be held September 12 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church with a burial at Holy Cross Cemetery to follow.

Arrangements made with Funeraria del Angel Berge Roberts.