A. William Zavarello

(9-29-1937 – 6-02-2026)

Bill was born on St. Michael's Feast Day in 1937 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. At the tender age of four, his mother brought Bill and his younger brother, Jim to Akron where she found a job helping to build Corsairs at Goodyear Aircraft during WW2. Bill attended St. Paul's grade school and was a proud member of the 1955 graduating class at St. Vincent's High School. He was a member of the Lone Star Fraternity as an undergraduate at The University of Akron. He was elected president of the student Bar Association while at the University of Akron Law School (class of 1962) and later served as assistant prosecutor for the City of Akron before joining the Law Firm of Delescio, Blakemore, and Rosen. In 1981, Bill opened his own law practice and enjoyed an over 60-year career as a lawyer. Leadership roles included a term as President of the Ohio Bar Association and a term as a President of the Bill Scanlon Inn of Court here in Akron, Ohio. In 1000 little ways, he helped many people over the years. He taught business law at the Akron Business School and he also served on the faculty of the University of Akron law School. At the end of his career, he represented clients pro bono.

Bill was a true Renaissance man. He traveled extensively, loved Broadway shows, enjoyed classical music and was a voracious reader. He was a natural athlete who excelled at all sporting activities and played Silver League softball and basketball well into his 80's. While in his 50's, he was proud of the fact that he had trained for and competed a marathon with the respectable time of three and thirty minutes.

His maternal heritage was Irish (surnames of Murphy and Nairn) and Bill was an active member and supporter of the Hibernian Club.

Preceded in death by his mother Mae Zavarello, brother Jim and his nephew Jimmy, and his beloved son, William Michael. He is mourned by his wife, Elizabeth Bender, MD and his daughter Tracy Zavarello of Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also survived by his sister, Mary Kurtz of Athens, Georgia and his sister Maria Zavarello of Bethesda, Maryland. He also leaves behind his beloved granddaughters, Emma (Hugh) and Zoe (Jackson) and nieces, Sarah and Laura. He is also survived by his first wife and mother of his children Marlene Miller (David).

In spite of all of his achievements, he was, in many ways, the little boy whose father abandoned the family when he was four and never returned....

Cremation has taken place. Friends may call Saturday, August 8, 2026, from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at Ciriello & Carr Fairlawn Chapel, 39 S. Miller Road, Fairlawn, OH  44333. 

The Family suggests memorial contributions to the Hibernian Club or the Akron Bar Association.

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