David Zisblatt

He was born on October 13, 1943, in Brooklyn, NY. David graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1965, where he served as a Sargent, fixing aircraft during the Vietnam War.

David met his future wife, Suzanne Tesar Zisblatt, when he came into the bank where she worked to apply for a loan to buy a Corvette. They were married in 1973, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in commitment, hard work, and family.

He was the longtime owner of Franklen Automotive, a diagnostic shop located on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn. A devoted and tireless worker, David kept the shop running six days a week for most of his life.

David loved fishing, cars, and aircraft. He also loved good food, and every Saturday night, he and Suzanne would go on a date into Manhattan to a fancy restaurant — the Water Club being one of their favorites. They were even there the night Tom Cruise filmed a scene from the movie Cocktail.

He loved to fish. He went fishing for sharks, bluefish, tuna, and snapper. For a few years, he entered a yearly shark tournament in Great Kills Marina.

He was incredibly proud of his children, watching them at dance recitals, tennis matches, and hockey games — and even more delighted by his grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife Suzanne, and his three children: Rebecca Kay Sanford of Port Monmouth, NJ; Lara Jo Zisblatt of Ann Arbor, MI; and Steven Barry Zisblatt of Long Island, NY. He also leaves behind four beloved grandchildren: CJ, Kaylen, Dresden, and Levin.

David was predeceased by his parents, Nathan Zisblatt and Rose Panaski Zisblatt, and by his sister, Marilyn Fisher.

Funeral services will be held at Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels, 2130 Highway 35, Ocean Township, NJ (www.dignitymemorial.com) at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 17, 2025. Services will last approximately one hour.

Immediately following, interment will be limited to immediate family at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery, 350 Provinceline Road, Wrightstown, NJ (www.nj.gov/military/cemetery).