ALFRED A. ‘ZIP’ ZOTTOLA
1916 – 2007
- by Dave Brown & Tommy Dietz
The life and legacy of Alfred Zottola, best known as ‘Zip’, was remembered at the Bedford Hills Historical Museum meeting at 321 Bedford Road in Bedford Hills.
Elin Sullivan, the newly elected president of the Museum, allowed time on the agenda for all to reminisce about one of our founding members and a dear friend.
Zip was a well-known resident of Bedford Hills for all of his adult life. He was born in Helper, Utah, on April 16, 1916. When he was a youngster, his family moved to Bedford Hills, where he graduated from Bedford Hills High School. He was married 68 ˝ years to his beloved wife Margaret, also from Bedford Hills. The marriage license cost three dollars. The ceremony was held in Golden’s Bridge, and his best man was Claude Bricetti, owner of Bricetti’s Bedford Market. Zip and Margaret raised four children in Bedford Hills; Bradley [deceased], Craig, Wayne, and Jill.
Zip was an active member of the Bedford Hills Fire Department for 65 years and served as president of the department for 32 years. Zip’s community service in Bedford Hills kept him active on the Town Board, Bedford Hills Free Library Board, Bedford Hills Community House Board, and the Bedford Board of Education.
Zip also served on the boards of the Bedford Hills Improvement Society and the Bedford Hills Chamber of Commerce, as well as the Bedford Hills Historical Museum. All of these organizations, along with the businessmen and women of Bedford Hills, have developed Bedford Hills into a unique and wonderfully quaint hamlet.
Zip was one of the founders of the Bedford Hills Little League. In 1935, Zip played on a basketball team that was the first Bedford Hills team to win a championship. The only other survivor of that team is former Bedford Town Supervisor, Albert V. Marchiagiani.
Zip was employed by the Bedford Hills U.S. Post Office for 48 years. He was sworn in as postmaster October 1, 1958, and served in that capacity until he retired.
Outgoing president of the Bedford Hills Historical Museum, Thomas J. Dietz, remembered Zip as an outstanding citizen of the community. He was always there to help in any community project. Zip always had a ‘one liner’ ready to break the ice in any discussion.
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