Loss for words in summing up stellar life of Zambrini

Loss for words in summing up stellar life of Zambrini

As I WAS perusing The Vindicator this past Sunday morning, Jan. 11, and reading the article on Page A3 titled “No Loss for Words,’’ one man came to mind. He would have been at the Speech and Debate Tournament taking place at Canfield Local Schools, the subject of that article.

That man is Dante Zambrini. He wasn’t there, as he was laid to rest on Friday, Jan. 9.

He had worked in the Canfield district for 36 years, as a teacher, a principal and the superintendent.

I knew Dante since his birth on the East Side of Youngstown, was his sixth-grade teacher at Sacred Heart Elementary and finally as co-workers at Canfield Local Schools. Dante and I would often get together and reminisce about our lives, how we grew up, being Italian, our Catholic faith and being educators.

Our primary existence was our vocation in education (after family) and the welfare of kids.

My husband and I got up Friday scurrying around to get to St. Michael’s Church to say goodbye to my student, my paisano, my colleague, my friend.

Every pew in the church was taken from front to back as I looked over my shoulder, taking my last look at Dante.

I whispered to him, “What a tribute, man.” I renewed friendships with so many people – Canfield teachers, East Side neighbors and friends. Dante was right there with me working the room as we had done so many times before.

Our last big hurrah together was in August 2014, when together we were named Italian Man and Woman Of the Year at the Greater Youngstown Italian Fest (the teacher and the student). We celebrated for four long days. We were so proud of our Italian Heritage and the honor and were at a “loss for words.”

Arrivederci mio paisano, mio fratello, e mio amico fedele.

Flora Ruotolo Schneider, Columbiana