John Albert Zalud, Jr.

John Zalud passed away on May 27, 2015, at home in Redlands, California. He leaves behind a sister, Virginia, his wife of sixty-two years, Marlyn, four children, eleven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Alfred. "The boy from East Elmhurst, New York" lived a full life of 88 years. John attended Bishop Loughlin High Memorial High School in Brooklyn, New York, and ran track, competing once in Madison Square Garden. During winter breaks, he worked in the Post Office, a time when mail was delivered twice a day. He joined the United States Navy during World War II and served in the Pacific War aboard the USS Whitney (AD-4) as a quartermaster. After his discharge from the service, John graduated from Manhattan College in New York City. There he met the love of his life, Marlyn, at a Sunday tea dance. They were married in 1953 at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in the city. Native New Yorkers, John and Marlyn lived in New York until 1966. During that time, John worked in advertising -- in market research at Colgate Palmolive, as Research Director at Benton & Bowles, and as Executive Vice President at Street & Finney. The Zaluds then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, quite the culture shock at the time. John was Executive Vice President at Noble-Dury & Associates in Nashville. John was a life-long Notre Dame fan, passing up the opportunity to attend college there after returning home from the Navy. He moved his family to South Bend, IN, in 1975 to open a Captain D's franchise. Later on, John worked as the food director at Corby Hall, the priests' residence on the Notre Dame campus. A source of great pride was that all four of his children graduated from the University of Notre Dame. In 1984, the Zaluds moved to California, eventually settling in Redlands. John loved his wife, his family, his faith, animals, the stock market, the Irish Brigade and Civil War history, good food, good beer and sports of any kind. Through his work in advertising, his children were able to visit Acapulco and the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, fly to Hollywood, and meet Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, the Green Giant's legs and the Pillsbury Dough Boy. John and Marlyn travelled to Alaska, England and Ireland among other places. As a husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend, he will be sorely missed.