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Dedicated former superintendent dies unexpectedly
By AMANDA TONOLI
and Denise Dick
CANFIELD
Friends and colleagues remember former schools superintendent Dante Zambrini for his generosity and dedication to helping others.
A news release from Eastern Gateway Community College announced the death of Zambrini on Monday morning. Zambrini – former trustee and interim vice president of operations of Eastern Gateway and former superintendent of Canfield Local School District – was known for his commitment to community and student involvement.
Laura Meeks, retired president of Eastern Gateway, remembered Zambrini for his commitment to students and his generosity of heart.
Zambrini served on the college’s board of trustees when the college first expanded from Jefferson County to include Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties, and then as interim vice president at the college’s Valley and Warren centers. He was supportive of the college’s expansion into the Mahoning Valley from the beginning, Meeks said.
Atty. Sherilynn Vantassel, vice president of EGCC, said without Zambrini the expansion might not have gone as smoothly as it did.
“He helped plant the seeds and then he tended the garden,” Meeks said. “I’ll always think of him when I think of the college. ... He created a very caring climate there.”
Jessica Borza, executive director of the Mahoning Valley Manufacturers Coalition, who worked closely with Zambrini on a number of projects between the MVMC and Eastern Gateway, said Zambrini understood the benefit in joining forces.
“He was instrumental in our Machining Career Pathways programming and shared facilities efforts,” Borza said. “He was passionate about education and was a strong supporter of local industry.”
Vantassel said Zambrini’s most-prominent feature was his community connections and communications skills.
“There wasn’t a stranger to Dante,” Debra Mette, retired superintendent of Springfield schools and fellow graduate of Ursuline High School, agreed. “If he didn’t know you, he got to know you.”
Zambrini had a reputation of prioritizing students most of all.
“No one knows the many things he did behind the scenes for our students,” said Anthony D’Apolito, EGCC operations manager.
Vantassel said Zambrini would go as far as to give people money from his own pocket to ensure they had food in their mouths, gas in their cars and were able to pay essential bills.
“He just was so passionate about community college in Mahoning County,” said Kathi McNabb Welsh, member of Mahoning County Educational Service Center Board. “He believed it would provide educational opportunities to students who may not normally have that.”
Current Canfield Superintendent Alex Geordan said not only are students and schools suffering the loss of Zambrini, but the community is as well.
Contributor: Staff writer Kalea Hall