John Zaffuto Jr.

John Zaffuto Jr., age 86, of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at his home on Palm Sunday, March 29. 

Born January 11, 1940, in New Orleans, Louisiana, John was the son of Elvera Terry Zaffuto Higgins and John Zaffuto, Sr.

Known as “Johnny” to family and friends and “Gramps” to his grandchildren, he was a faithful servant of the Lord and a loving husband, father and grandfather. He lived his faith with humility and kindness toward others, and he will be remembered for his devotion to his faith, family, country, and the joy he found on the water along the Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf Coasts. 

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Ann Baroni Zaffuto, with whom he shared 66 devoted years of marriage; his son, John Stephen Zaffuto, Sr. (Melanie); granddaughter Elizabeth Ledet Zaffuto; grandson John Stephen Zaffuto, Jr.; sister Alice Ophelia Higgins Nilsen; sister-in-law Mary Baroni; brother-in-law Robert Hitt; and his niece, Emily Baughman May, along with her husband, Patrick, and son Everett. He is also survived by many loving cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister Victoria Ann Zaffuto Hitt; and brothers- and sister-in-law Edward and Carolynne Baroni, and Clive Udell Nilsen.

John launched his career at General Electric, where he worked for 10 years, before following his enterprising spirit to found Galvez Appliance Service, which he owned and operated for 40 years in Louisiana’s Ascension Parish. A gifted woodworker, he had a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and was a member of the Pelican Woodcarvers Guild in Baton Rouge and the National Woodcarvers Association.

He loved boating and fishing and had a lifelong connection to the Mississippi Gulf Coast rooted in family ties to Ocean Springs. His love for his wife was reflected in a special tradition. Each of his boats was christened with the name “Bevy” in her honor. 

John was a vintage car enthusiast and former member of the Harley-Davidson Harley Owners Group. He also belonged to the Woodmen of the World. 

John’s family extends heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Tyrone and Carol Dastugue of Word of Faith Christian Fellowship Church in Waveland, as well as Notre Dame Hospice of Mississippi, for their compassionate care and support.

Final arrangements were entrusted to Edmond Fahey Funeral Home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. 

Friends and family are invited to share messages and photos of remembrance in John’s online memory book at www.bslef.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in John’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 S. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.

Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of John Zaffuto Jr.