John Joseph Zygowicz

John Joseph Zygowicz was born on June 27, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois to John and Josphine. He attended parochial schools there, where he reluctantly took Polish classes. While in grammar school, he met his future wife, Linda. Linda had an accordion lesson right before John’s. Then he went on to graduate from St Joseph College in Indiana and soon married Linda. Upon a visit to his relocated parents in California, John and Linda decided to move to Orange County. There John started his career in banking. As he progressed up the ladder, many banks merged. John always landed on his feet. Dedicated and loyal, he excelled in his care for clients and employees by displaying servant leadership. He started his banking career at First Interstate and ended as an Executive at US Bank.

John and Linda moved to Encinitas with baby Michelle on Memorial Day weekend in 1981. John began community involvement, as an honorary County sheriff, a member or officer of the Boards for the American Cancer Society, the Salvation Army and the San Diego Symphony. He was honored by them for his lengthy service notably on Finance committees.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, John was a devoted husband and father. When Linda faced lengthy medical challenges, John was by her side tending to her needs still working a demanding job. Sadly, he lost Linda in 2012.

In his spare time John loved to play golf. He had weekly tee times at Lomas Santa Fe Country Club and played on every trip to Palm Desert and Hawaii. His framed “hole in one” ball had an honored place at home. John had a lifelong wish to own a Corvette. When he finally bought one, he attended the Performance Driving school in Spring Mountain, Nevada. He relished his time zipping around the track at 100+ mph.

In 2014, John decided to get back into a social life. He surmised that ladies liked to dance so he took dancing lessons. Unfortunately, he didn’t meet any partners that way, but a few friends had a plan and introduced him to a widowed friend. Judy and John dated, traveled, golfed, and enjoyed a rich social life. They got married in 2017. At the reception John showed off his dance steps with a choreographed first dance. For their honeymoon, they traveled to Poland, where John finally got to use Polish!

A few years later John developed some dementia symptoms. When he fell and suffered a brain bleed, the diagnosis became Lewy Body Dementia. He was in care facilities from early 2023. Through all this John remained a sweet, affectionate, grateful man. We were blessed with angelic care givers who loved John as family. He passed away on May 23rd with his wife at his side.

John is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughter Michelle; his brothers-in law Alan Heiman (Jill), Dan Heiman of Carroll, Iowa; and sister-in-law Kris Hollander of Cedar Rapids Iowa; stepsons Brian Gaze of San Diego: and Eric Gaze (Jess) of Richmond, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by Michelle’s Mother, Linda; his parents and parents-in law.

A memorial service will be held at 1100, at St Elizabeth Seton Church, 6628 Santa Isabel St., Carlsbad, CA 92009. Friends, family, and all those whose lives were touched by John are warmly invited to attend and honor his memory.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to the Salvation Army, an organization close to John's heart.