ZAMBITO, Roger Joseph, 61 passed away at his home in Plant City from an aggressive form of bladder cancer, in the early morning hours of May 24, 2019. Roger was born July 23, 1957 in Tampa Florida to Jack and Hope Zambito, he grew up in the West Tampa area then moved to Melbourne area in 1995 where he met his wife Elena in 1998 when we both were working at the same business. We married in 2004, he graduated Keizer University with a associate degree in Culinary Arts. We moved to Plant City in 2012 because he wanted to come home but I didn’t want to live in Tampa so we settled on Plant City.
One of Roger’s passions was cooking and his wonderful barbecues. He love to make crazy concoctions that always tasted so good he discovered this talent later in life where not only did he cook at home but made a career in restaurants and hotels doing what he loved.
He was a devoted and loving husband, I met him at my lowest point in my life, he picked me up and always made me feel wanted and loved. I felt so safe in his arms. He treated people with respect and honesty. He was a very hard worker and a good provider. He love to fish which he only got to do a few times after he got sick for the final time, in his younger years he did a fair amount of hunting in the Ocala National Forest. He was a faithful Buccaneer fan from the time the team was debuted to the present and he was so pleased with the recent coaching change. He was a true friend and a genuine good person who would do anything to help someone out. He adored his dogs Oliver, who was with him and would not leave him when he passed away, Kaila, hi little girl and Alex who we lost last July to Cancer as well. He joined the Knights of Columbus in 2016 because he wanted to give back not only to his community but to his church. He cooked at their Sunday breakfast until he just could not do it anymore. He became a Fourth degree Knight so that he could work with the veterans and give back to them because they give us so much. He worked on the Strawberry Ministry, he wanted so much to do again this past year but he just did not have the energy because of his illness.
Roger is survived by his wife Elena Zambito of Plant City, his brother Jack Zambito and his wife Kathy, Nephew Ken Zambito and Great Nephew Zachary, Niece Kimberly Zambito and Great Nephew Jackson, Niece Kara Zambito Swartz Husband Richard Swartz and Great Nieces Hannah and Sara and his loving dogs Oliver and Kaila.
His viewing is Monday, June 3, 2019 beginning at 4:00pm to 6:00pm at The Garden of Memories at 4207 E. Lake Ave. Tampa, FL 33610. His funeral will be Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at 11:00 am beginning with a mass at St. Clement Catholic Church at in Plant City at 1104 N. Alexander St. From Tampa take I-4 to exit 21 (Alexander St.) turn right go approx. 1/2 mile on the left is the church (if you get to the firehouse you have gone too far). After mass we will go to Garden of Memories for his interment. After there will be refreshments and snacks in the main building at Garden of Memories. Please come and celebrate Roger’s life.
Please do not send flowers to the funeral home instead Roger requested that a donation be made in his name to either American Cancer Society or The Shriners Hospital for Children. Thank you in advance.
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