Franklin "Frank" A. Zarba

Franklin “Frank” A. Zarba, age 91, a resident of Tyngsborough, passed away at his home on Friday, April 17, 2026, with his loving wife Jeanne (Cilley) Zarba by his side.

Born in East Boston, on September 25, 1934, he was a son of the late Joseph and Elvira (Battaglia) Zarba. He was a graduate of the English High School in Boston, the Massachusetts State Teachers College and the University of Maryland, where he received his master’s degree in psychology.

Frank was a proud member of the Army National Guard having served three consecutive terms from 1952 until his honorable discharge in 1961. During his time he earned both marksman and sharpshooter qualifications.

Frank taught school in the Revere School system for 31 years. He performed in nightclubs and restaurants in the Boston area for years up until 2024.  His band backed up some famous entertainers like Al Martino, Jerry Vale and Franco Sporto to name a few at the feasts in the North End.

In 2013 Frank participated in a singing competition in Naples Italy. He won first place singing O’Sole Mio beating out 200 contestants. A night to remember!!

Frank was a longtime active member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts; singing the American national anthem and patriotic songs as well as traveling to over 25 countries around the world to sing each countries national anthem in their own language.

He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus and Boston Musicians Association.

Frank and Jeanne loved to travel, especially Italy. They went about 50 times over the almost 25 years they were married. They loved to entertain in their home on the river.

Surviving him in addition to his wife Jeanne are, a daughter Nyssa Gatcombe and her partner Nicholas McCrea; a brother and a sister-in-law, Joseph and Theresa Zarba; a sister and brother-in-law, Rina Zarba and her husband Thomas Dexter; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Nancy McDougall, Dennis and Ruth Cilley, Sharon and Wade Strickland and Raymond and Elizabeth Cilley; several nieces and nephews and many dear friends. He was also the brother of the late Christopher Zarba, uncle of the late Christopher Zarba Jr, victim of the 9/11 attacks on the towers in NYC and brother-in-law of the late Martha Cilley Elwood.

Relatives and friends will be received at the TYNGSBOROUGH FUNERAL HOME, 4 Cassaway Drive, Tyngsborough on Tuesday, April 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalen Church, 95 Lakeview Avenue Tyngsborough. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, April 23, at 11 a.m. in the Riverside Cemetery, Milford, NH. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to may make a donation in his memory to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. at http://www.alz.org

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